Page 47 of Colton On Guard
Genna looked from one man to the other. “I’m sure Eli has enough to deal with, working on the serial killer case. I don’t want to be a bother.”
“You’re not,” Eli assured her. “If you’ll just write down your ex-husband’s name and address, as well as his girlfriend’s, I can check them out.”
“We’d appreciate that,” Parker interjected when it appeared Genna might protest. “Just a few minutes of your time would go a long way to helping Genna feel safe.”
Genna met his gaze, her expression troubled.
“Please,” Parker said. “It can’t hurt.”
“Okay, I’ll write their info down,” Genna finally said. “But I’m telling you, it’s not them. First up, they were cyber bullying me before as well as calling and texting. They’re not now. Even though I’ve blocked both their numbers, they’d buy disposable phones just so they could reach me. All of that has stopped.”
“Interesting.” Eli shrugged. “Maybe they decided to torment you in person this time.”
“They did that before, too. It accomplished nothing. And I’m here in Shelby now. They have jobs and lives in Anchorage. While it’s a beautiful drive from there to here, it’s also long. I honestly think Ann celebrated when she succeeded in running me out of the area. Now Chad is all hers. She has no reason to follow me here and torment me.”
“Maybe not,” Eli answered. “But you never know with some of these kinds of people. They can become so wrapped up in vengeance or whatever it is that they’re trying to accomplish, all logic flies out the window. Let me check into them.”
“As long as they aren’t made aware, I’m fine with it,” Genna said. “I don’t want to do anything to bring me to their attention and potentially start things up again.”
“They’ll have no idea,” Eli promised.
With a curt nod, Genna turned and disappeared into her bedroom. To Parker’s surprise, both dogs remained where they were, their attention fixed firmly on Eli, though they turned their heads as Genna walked by. When she reappeared, she handed Eli a folded piece of notebook paper. “Here you go. I’ve included their home addresses and cell phone numbers, as well as places of employment.”
If her thoroughness surprised Eli, he didn’t show it. He tucked the paper in his pocket and thanked her before turning back to Parker and asking a question about RTA.
Taking a seat on one end of the couch, Genna listened. She made no move to join in the conversation, which would have concerned Parker if not for her relaxed demeanor. She’d had one hell of a day. More than anything, he wished he could sit down next to her, put his arm around her and pull her close. But then he could only imagine his brother’s reaction of he did. More fuel for the family gossip.
This made him think of their sister. “Have you talked to Lakin lately?” he asked. “How’s that hotel renovation project going?”
Eli smiled. “She says she’s having a blast. Living the dream, in her own words.”
“Good for her.” Parker glanced again at Genna before turning his attention back to Eli. “I’ve been meaning to go by and take a look at the place. See what they’ve done so far.”
Eli chuckled. “Good luck with that. She told me she doesn’t need me looking over her shoulder.”
“Maybe Genna should go,” Parker said, smiling. “What do you think, Genna? You and Lakin were old friends back in the day.”
Though she smiled back, she chose not to answer the second question. Instead, she made a noncommittal comment, saying she just might have to pay Lakin’s hotel a visit. Parker couldn’ttell if she meant it or not. He hoped she did, because as far as he could tell, Genna kept to her own company. It might be good for her to have a friend. Of course, that would be totally up to her.
Eli changed the subject again, telling them a little about the ongoing investigation. What information he could give them was limited, he said, but he promised he and his colleagues were all hard at work on it.
Genna excused herself, heading into the kitchen to get something. Eli took the opportunity to give Parker a look, one brow raised. “Is there something we—meaning the family—need to know?” he asked.
There were several responses Parker could have given. Luckily, he didn’t have to give any of them because Genna returned, carrying a glass of wine.
“Why the serious expressions?” Genna asked, looking from one man to the other. She figured they’d been discussing her and her situation, and she couldn’t blame them.
For whatever reason, giving Eli information on her ex-husband and ex-best friend had made Genna feel conflicted. Almost as if by doing so, she was dragging her old life into her new. Which she most definitely didn’t want to do.
Had she somehow managed to make them think less of her? Surely not, since Parker already knew her story and she and Eli had only just met.
No doubt her moment of self-doubt was all in her head. They’d definitely gone right back to their conversation, a few seconds after a pause that might or might not have been awkward.
Watching as Parker and Eli talked, the way they spoke so affectionately about their sister, made her relax. Instead of feeling like an outsider, she felt…accepted. She also appreciatedthat Eli didn’t make a fuss over her staying with Parker. Instead, he treated her presence as if it wasn’t a big deal, which she appreciated, since it really wasn’t.
Eli finished his beer and got to his feet. “I’d better go,” he said. “I’ll keep you both posted if there are any new developments on the Fiancée Killer.”
“I hope you get a good lead soon,” Parker said, walking him to the door.