Page 14 of Deadly Force

“A change is as good as a vacation,” I quip.

He laughs, so I up the ante. “I’d love to see the kitchen and maybe try out the food. It would make a great addition.”

His smile slips. “Oh, I’m afraid I’m not authorized for that.”

I pull a face. “Couldn’t I just take a peep?”

His smile tightens and a flicker of aggravation appears, so I hastily downplay the request. “Maybe next time. Perhaps we could discuss the progress on the new swimming pool?”

Thankfully, he agrees, and for the next fifteen minutes, he gives me a mind-numbingly boring account. It takes all my self-control to pay attention. Thank goodness I’m recording him.

When he inhales, ready to launch into another speech, I interrupt. “Well, I don’t want to keep you any longer. If I need anything clarified, I’ll be in touch. Otherwise, you can expect to see my story in the next bulletin.”

He quickly recovers and gets to his feet, extending his hand. “Of course. I’m always happy to answer questions.”

I refrain from cheekily saying, "Only questions that aren’t difficult to answer," and instead smile sweetly and go in search of my fake cameraman.

Caleb is waiting just outside the office block, camera in hand, shoulders squared, and a scowl so cold it sends Walter stumbling back a step before retreating without a word.

As I fall in beside him, Caleb doesn’t look at me. His jaw ticks. “Come with me.”

“Where?”

His eyes cut to mine—flat, unreadable. “Just follow.”

With no reason not to, I match his pace, all too aware of Walter watching from behind the glass. I give it five minutes before security shows up and we’re slapped with a trespass notice.

Caleb, however, is a man on a mission, and I soon see why.

Outside, in the broiling heat, sits a woman in a wheelchair. She’s reed-thin, wearing far too many clothes for the conditions, with no water and no hat.Worse, a dark shadow creeps along her collarbone and spreads across her upper arms.

My stomach tightens as we approach and see how emaciated she appears. Why on earth is she outside alone?

Caleb is obviously right to be furious as he uncaps a bottle of water and presses it to her cracked lips. His muscles are taut, and his jaw is working furiously.

Oh boy.

He looks one step away from picking the poor old dear up and carrying her out of here, and if it weren’t for the possibility of making it worse for her, I’d be cheering him on all the way.

“Betty wasn’t in the shade when I found her,” he says.

Caleb crouches down, peering up at her, and gently takes her hand in his giant paw. “I don’t like you being left out here in the heat,” he says softly. “I’m going to have a word with the guy who runs this place.”

Betty shrinks back. Given how intimidating Caleb is, that she’s fearful of making a fuss is alarming.

“Oh, n-n-no. Don’t,” she stammers.

Caleb’s entire body tenses, but he keeps his voice calm and soothing. “Nothing is going to happen to you, Betty. I’m going to make sure of that.”

When she bites her lip and starts to tremble, myown righteous anger takes hold. “I’m calling the police.”

Caleb looks up at me and shakes his head. “No need. You stay here with Betty. Do not move. This won’t take long.”

He lets go of Betty’s hand and, with a frown in my direction, stalks off toward the office block before I can tell him to tread carefully.

As bad as this looks, there might be an explanation. Betty may bruise easily. She might have requested some time in the sun, and her carer could be off searching for a favorite hat. There’s no sense going in all guns blazing when we don’t have all the facts.

I send up a hasty prayer that he doesn’t do anything reckless and lean against the tree.