Page 29 of Colorado K-9 Rescue

F eeling violated and sick along with anger at whoever this was, Evan didn’t want to tell Mckenna. He finished checking his yard, and when he was satisfied no one was there, he whistled and got Mocha to follow him back toward the deck.

Mckenna stepped out. “Are either of you hurt? Was there anyone there?”

The urge to protect her surged through Evan.

He didn’t like to withhold information, but he couldn’t bring himself to tell her what he’d seen either.

When the evidence guy dropped off Mckenna’s work clothes in a little bit, he’d pull him aside and ask him to cast the footprint.

Maybe if he knew the size and type of boot, he could narrow down who was stalking her.

Evan forced a smile. “Squirrel. Again. They’re cute, but obnoxious little creatures. Everything’s fine.”

“Okay.” Mckenna tilted her head slightly and shrugged. She went back inside with Mocha, telling the Lab she had a great breakfast ready for him—the same thing he had every day—dog food.

Evan stopped the fake smile he’d put on for Mckenna after she and Mocha were inside.

He stared around his yard again. Someone had seriously crossed a line.

You didn’t come to an FBI agent’s house, sit outside the bedroom window to be a Peeping Tom, and expect to get away with it.

The kidnapper was growing bolder and more reckless.

Mckenna telling him about the “catch and release” phrase went through his mind.

“I’m going to catch you first, you bastard,” Evan muttered. “And you’ll never be released.”

Evan insisted on following Mckenna again when they drove to the office.

Ever since he’d gone outside when Mocha was barking, he’d been different.

Mckenna knew he was holding something back.

But what? And why? Cassidy’s words went through her head again and Mckenna cursed her sister for saying anything. And then herself for listening.

They parked next to each other, and Evan was out of his vehicle first. Mckenna caught him looking around the garage, like he was clearing a room trying to find a suspect.

Yes, something more had happened this morning and he wasn’t telling her anything.

Mckenna didn’t know if she should be relieved or angry.

He could be protecting me, but it’s better if I know what’s going on. Then I’m not surprised by anything.

Mocha happily walked down his portable car stairs from his crate and wagging his tail, greeted Evan and then went and leaned against Mckenna. She rubbed his ears.

At least this guy will always be honest. I wish he could talk and tell me what was really making him bark. Or who…

The journal message from her former kidnapper ran through her mind. He, whoever he was—because she wasn’t convinced it was Toby—knew about Evan. What if it was him there this morning? That would explain why Evan was on such high alert.

To say she was tired of being kept in the dark was an understatement. While she appreciated Evan wanting to keep her safe, she also craved honesty—even if it did make her afraid.

Evan put a hand on the small of her back and they headed inside, Mocha taking the lead.

They entered the office and several people stopped what they were doing, obviously wondering why Mckenna, Mocha and Evan were coming in together.

Mckenna couldn’t help the heat that she felt rise on her cheeks.

She was certain they were turning a bright red.

Glancing back over her shoulder, she saw Evan had his “office” expression on. Gone was the easy smile and the guy who had been nothing but tender and loving with her. Back was the intense agent that no one wanted to work with—the lone wolf, as Cassidy had called him.

Mckenna wanted to stop, kiss Evan in front of everyone and say, “There! Gossip about that today.” Whichever secretary had talked to Cassidy about the kiss outside the coffee shop was gleefully thrilled to see them together.

Good grief, it’s like high school or maybe even middle school, all over again.

They exchanged glances and Evan walked Mckenna to her office. “Stay here today. Work from here where you’ll be safe. Okay? I’ll touch base throughout the day and update you if I have anything.”

“You promise you’ll keep me in the loop?” Mckenna asked, still having that gut feeling that he wasn’t being quite truthful which bothered her a little bit. Although after their night together, she did believe he wanted to protect her. This could be his way of doing that.

“I promise. Okay, better get to work.” Evan gave her a quick wink and his shy smile, then straightened up and became serious again.

Mckenna watched him walk to his office while Mocha leaned against her leg and gave a little whine. She scratched his ears and whispered, “You like him too, boy, don’t you?”

She’d just booted up her computer and was organizing her day when someone strode in, and her door clicked shut. Cassidy stood glaring at Mckenna, hands on her hips.

“Why didn’t you call?” she demanded. “Oh, wait, I think I know why.”

Mckenna sighed and rubbed her forehead. This was not what she needed right now. It was time to see about a job opening somewhere other than Colorado or in a field office on the other side of the state. “Well? Why?”

Cassidy grabbed a chair, put her elbows on the desk and leaned toward Mckenna. “You spent the night with him, didn’t you?”

The blunt truth seemed the best. “Yes.”

“I heard that someone broke into your house and threatened you.”

“Yes,” Mckenna said.

“Why didn’t you call me?” Cassidy sat back and crossed her arms with a hurt expression.

Mckenna instantly felt bad. Cassidy wasn’t that upset about her staying with Evan, it was more the hurt of her little sister no longer asking for her or needing Cassidy’s help.

It had to be hard to be an older sibling and feel protective.

Growing up, they were close, and Cassidy often took the blame when her mischievous little sister got into trouble.

Mckenna suspected their mother knew the truth.

But once she was kidnapped, everything changed.

Mckenna realized now that maybe Cassidy blamed herself for what happened.

“I’m sorry I didn’t call you,” Mckenna said. “I know you’re working hard on the serial bomber case and it’s not going well. How’s Cooper doing?”

“Yeah, that’s one way to put it when it comes to this case. But Cooper is doing well. He’s been great at locating odors. Much better than that mutt,” Cassidy said with an affectionate glance toward Mocha. Mocha opened an eye, gave a squeaky yawn and then went back to sleep.

“Look, Cass, I appreciate your love and how much you want to be there for me and to help me overcome my own fears, but at some point, I have to live my life. Working this kidnapping case has brought back so many memories and emotions. It’s been tough.

There’s a good side to Evan. He’s been there for me.

Helped me. Listened to me. He’s a good guy and he was there for me last night. ”

“I’m sure he was probably there for you in more ways than one,” Cassidy said with her arms still crossed. Her fingers dug into her upper arm, leaving white marks.

Mckenna’s face flushed. “Yes, in more ways than one. I’ve always been honest with you.

You’re my sister and I’ll be honest now.

I like Evan. A lot. I know you’re worried about him, but this is my deal.

If he breaks my heart, then he does, but I want to take this chance.

I think he does too. You can’t always be there to protect me. You have your own life to live too.”

“Okay, but I’m hearing rumors that Agent Knox, sorry, Evan, is investigating the possibility that your kidnapping is connected to this recent one. You really believe that’s true?”

Mckenna stayed quiet. Her sister had never believed her when she said she thought the wrong person was in prison, but considering the recent kidnappings happened when Toby got out, that could mean the right person was in prison all these years.

“I do believe they’re connected. Lily’s story was almost exactly like mine. ”

“Then I’ll help find Toby Hanson and haul his ass back to prison.”

“That’s the thing, Cass. I’m not sure it was him.”

“Then who?”

Mckenna thought about the Jeep following her. She suspected Evan knew who it was. Something else he was keeping from her? Was she desperate to have someone love her for herself and was overlooking things like the fact Evan hadn’t been exactly forthcoming? “I don’t know.”

Uncrossing her arms, Cassidy reached out and took Mckenna’s hand. “I’m sorry. I wish I’d gone with you to that party. I wish I hadn’t covered for you when you snuck out of the house. I wish I could change the past.”

“Don’t we all?” Mckenna said. She saw Evan leaving his office in a hurry and wondered what was up. His face appeared strained, and he was typing something on his phone. Her cell phone pinged, and she saw the message that came through.

Promise me you’ll stay in the office today. Don’t go anywhere without me or Cassidy.

Why? Mckenna texted back.

A precaution, that’s all. Just playing it safe.

“I can’t go back in time and change all my wishes, but I can tell you that while Evan will probably do a great job solving this case and keeping you safe, which I appreciate, he’s also not telling you everything. And if he does that, what else is he keeping from you?” Cassidy asked.

Mckenna wanted to fire back a strong response, but Cassidy did have a point.

“I’ll see if I can find out what’s going on,” Cassidy said.

“No. Work on your case. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay—” Cassidy stood and went to the door “—but promise me you’ll call me if you need anything or decide to go anywhere. If Evan is worried, there’s a reason.”