Page 3 of Code Trauma (Extreme Measures #1.5)

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H e raised a brow. “Are you kidding me? Penny texted and called me out on being an idiot and said someone was threatening you.”

“She did?”

“Yeah.”

That sounded like Penny. “So, you’re here because she told you to come.”

He frowned. “No, I’m here because she told me what was going on and I can’t bear the thought of you in danger.”

Okay, that was better. And she could understand that, but still...

Andy took her face in his and gave her a sweet kiss. “I’ve missed you.”

She placed a hand on his chest and backed up. “Hold up with the kisses, Andy. You don’t get to do that anymore.” As much as she wanted to melt into his arms, there was too much wrong between them for that. “I’m not the one who went anywhere.”

He closed his eyes. “I know. I know. You’re right.” He glanced around. “Let’s get you inside.” He pushed the door open and allowed her to go first.

Holly stepped over the threshold and gave a low cry. Andy’s hands came up to grip her shoulders. She simply stared at the red words spray-painted across her living room wall.

L eave town or die .

He moved her so her back was against the wall, then closed the door. “Call 911 and don’t move from this spot.”

While she fumbled for her phone, he pulled his gun and held it in front of him as he walked through her townhome.

“911. What’s your emergency?”

“Someone broke into my home.” She gave the address and clutched the phone to her ear. A surge of anger rose up hard and fast enough to nearly strangle her.

“Is the person still there?”

“I don’t know. I have a friend who’s a detective. He’s checking the rooms now.”

“Then stay still and wait for him to come back.”

Holly had no trouble following that order. She wasn’t sure her legs would work anyway. The ugly red words seemed to sear themselves onto her soul. Where was Andy? The townhome was small and wouldn’t take but a few seconds to clear. Just as she was ready to go looking for him, he returned from her bedroom, his weapon holstered, but his face white. “It’s clear.”

Holly let out a slow breath. “The police are on the way.”

He nodded.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. “You found something else, didn’t you?”

“In your bedroom, someone hung one of your dolls from the shelf and painted your name across the dress.”

Holly darted from her spot by the door and headed to see for herself.

Andy caught her by the upper arm. “Don’t go look. There’s no reason to, and you’ll never be able to wipe the image from your brain once you see it.”

She hesitated. “Which doll?”

“Not the one your dad brought back from Israel.”

She almost wilted against him but pulled away at the last second and pressed a hand to her aching head. All the dolls in her collection were gifts from her father, but the one he’d brought her from Israel was special. “I’m scared,” she whispered.

“I know. You can’t stay here.”

“I can stay at base.” She’d never been so grateful for that home away from home. Her family when she needed them. And boy, did she need them now. “I can’t believe this. What have I done to deserve this?”

“Hey, there’s nothing you could have done to deserve this, so don’t even think along those lines. But something sure has triggered someone.”

“Yeah.”

“And we’re going to find out what.”

She studied him. His eyes were narrowed and fierce, his jaw tight.

Officers arrived and processed her townhome, asking her questions until her head spun. Even the eight hundred milligrams of Motrin didn’t completely stop the pain. Despite the nasty warning on the wall, she sat on the couch and simply just closed her eyes.

Andy finally escorted the last officer out of her home and shut the door. She opened her eyes as he turned to her. “You want me to pack a bag for you?” he asked.

“No, I’ll do it in a bit.” While he was here, she might as well see if he could answer all the questions she’d had bouncing around her head for the last two months. “Can you cover that up with a blanket then sit beside me?”

“Yeah, sure.” It didn’t take him long to hang a blanket over the spray-painted threat. “I’ll get rid of the doll, too, for now. Until you decide if you want to have someone try to clean her up.”

“Thanks.”

Once those two items were done, Holly was able to finally pull in a deep breath.

She patted the cushion next to her. “Sit.” He sank onto it and she took his hand. “Talk to me, Andy, please.”

He sighed. “I’ve really been messed up, Holly. After Chris was killed, it sent me into a very dark place, and I haven’t been able to come out of it.” He looked at her. “Until now. When I heard you were in danger, it knocked me off my feet—and some sense into my head, I think.”

“And so you came running.”

“I did.”

“Thank you for that. It means a lot.” It didn’t solve their problems, but it did let her know that he thought of her as a priority. At least when she needed him. But what about when he needed her?

“Yeah.” He grabbed a blanket from the end of the couch and covered her up. She snuggled next to him. “See if you can sleep for a little bit, get the headache to ease. Then we’ll pack your bag, get something to eat, and I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“We’re finished talking?”

“For now.” He squeezed her hand. “We’ll talk more when you’re feeling better.”

“But—” At his tight features, she let it go. “Where will you stay tonight? You’re not going home, are you?”

“No. I have enough vacation time built up that I don’t have to be back for another two weeks. I’m not leaving until we find out who’s responsible for this. As for where I’ll stay, I’ll get a room at the motel across the street from base.”

“Okay.” Relieved and feeling safe for the first time since the threats started, she let the fatigue settle over her and closed her eyes.

* * *

Andy watched Holly sleep for about an hour before he decided to be productive. He gently settled her against a pillow and pulled his phone from the clip on his side as he walked into the kitchen. From here, he could keep an eye on her and the front door but talk without waking her. He knew the evidence the officers had collected would be sent to the lab in Asheville. Thankfully, he knew Yasmine Forsythe, a lab tech, who worked there.

She answered on the second ring. “Hello, Andy.”

“Hey Yasmine, thanks for picking up. I need a favor.”

“Of course, what can I do for you?”

“Have you received the evidence from the break-in over here in Asheville? The victim is Holly Cooper.”

“Um ... not yet. Why?”

“When you get it, can you speed-process it?”

“Andy...”

“Come on, please?”

“She’s special to you?”

“I’ve got the ring in my pocket.”

She went silent, then sighed. “Oh. Well. I guess she is special. No promises other than to do my best to get it done ASAP.”

“Thank you.”

“Sure thing.”

He hung up as Holly stirred and sat up. She rubbed her eyes, and he walked over to sit beside her once again. “How are you feeling?”

“Better. Hungry.” She touched the area on her head and grimaced.

“How is it?” he asked.

“It’s sore, but I think it was more of a glancing blow than a direct hit. At least the headache is basically gone.”

“That’s definitely a good sign. Want to head over to the hospital and grab something on the way? We can see if Penny and Raina need us to bring them anything.”

She glanced at the clock. Just after lunchtime and she was starving. What a morning it had been. “Yes, sure.” She packed a bag while he watched. The whole time she worked, he wanted to explain himself, beg her forgiveness, but this wasn’t about him. He needed to be here for her, and when she was ready, maybe they could have a talk. A long-overdue, honest conversation.

Maybe...

Or should he try to set things straight while they were alone? But her body language shouted that she might not be super receptive to anything he had to say. So, he stayed quiet and determined just to be there for her for as long as she’d let him.

She followed him to his truck, and he helped her into the passenger seat. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

“I’m sure. For the moment.”

“Let me know if that changes.”

She placed a hand on his arm. “I’m okay, really.”

He drew in a deep breath. “That shook me today. Not because I’m scared of the person doing this, but I’m terrified I won’t be able to stop him from hurting you again.”

Some of her stiffness relaxed and she dropped her hand into her lap. “Well, nothing to do but trust God and stay alert.”

“Right.” He paused, and his fingers spasmed where they rested on her arm. “I ... I’m having a hard time with trusting him right now.”

“I know.” For a moment, her eyes were soft and kind, and he wanted to wrap her up and hold her close, protect her from every bad thing—and person—in the world. Then her gaze chilled once more and she shifted away from him.

He cleared his throat. “How about you trust him, and I help him out if presented with the opportunity?”

She gave a forced laugh, and his heart squeezed. What had he been thinking when he’d pushed this woman away? He should have leaned on her. And God. But Chris?—

Andy shut off the “should haves.”

He closed her door and walked around the truck to slide into the driver’s seat. Seconds later, he pulled out of the townhome parking lot and headed for the highway that would lead them back to the hospital about ten minutes away. “One thing struck me about your break-in,” he said.

“What?”

“There wasn’t any forced entry. Did you leave the door unlocked?”

She frowned. “Of course not.”

“Okay, then could Penny or Raina have given the key to someone?”

“Neither would do that. Not without clearing it with me first.”

“Can you call Penny and ask her?”

She studied him for a moment, her frown deepening, then pulled out her phone and dialed Penny’s number. She put the phone on speaker so he could listen in.

“Holly? I’m so glad you called. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m with Andy. We were heading back to the hospital. I’m going to stay at base tonight.”

“Okay, why?”

“Someone broke into my house.”

Her gasp echoed over the line. “Broke into your home! Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine, but did you by any chance loan my key to anyone without telling me?”

“No way!”

“I didn’t think so, but Andy insisted I ask.”

“Holly, what’s going on? First the attack in the supply closet and now this?

“I don’t know, Penny. I really don’t, but I’m working on figuring it out.”

“Hold on a second. I’m going to check my purse.”

Andy caught sight of the car behind him. It had been there awhile. He kept his eyes on the mirrors while he waited for Penny to return to the phone.

“Holly?” Penny’s hushed voice finally came over the line. “The key is gone.”

Andy’s jaw tightened, and he spared a glance at Holly, who thanked her friend and hung up. She swallowed. “So, what does that mean?”

“We look for someone at the hospital who has a grudge against you.”

“Dr. Mann is the first person who comes to mind.”

“Dr. Mann.”

He slowed to cross the bridge that would take them to the hospital exit and looked in the rearview mirror in time to see the sedan behind him slam into the back of his truck. The wheel spun beneath his fingers, Holly screamed, and he rammed into the side of the guardrail.