Page 56 of Deathtoll

“Of course, I told him.”

Kate bit back a groan.

Harper grinned. “Yeah, I know. Even I think he’s getting a tad overprotective. Then again, I can sympathize.” He shrugged as he came in all the way. “If we were talking about the love ofmylife in danger, she’d be handcuffed to me right now.”

The last word was barely out when footsteps sounded outside.

Kate sighed. “Talk about the devil.”

“I heard that.” Murph rolled in like stormy weather, intense and promising all kinds of turbulence. He nodded toward the closed door of the treatment room. “Who’s in there?”

“Finn,” she said, just as Finn called, “I’m ready, Kate.”

And Kate breathed a sigh of relief, because that meant she wouldn’t have to deal with Murph for an hour.

As it turned out, she didn’t have to deal with him after the session either. He was gone by the time she finished with the massage.

“I convinced him that I can sufficiently protect you,” Harper told her, chest out, all proud of himself.

She was proud of him too. “I owe you. Big.”

“Don’t think I won’t collect. Allie’s birthday is coming up. I thought about chaps, but she already has a couple for her Calamity Jane role. Maybe spurs? But she really loves her antique Old West ones. You could do some recon and find out what she’d like. Other than me. I mean, I’m the best, but she should have other nice things.”

Kate didn’t hold back a heartfelt groan. “Ever get back pain from carrying around that massive ego of yours? You can come in for a chair massage if you need it.” She shook her head. “And, thanks for the protection detail, but please go away. I can take care of myself.”

He made puppy-dog eyes at her. “I can feel Murph’s pain.”

After Harper left, Kate focused on her patients for the rest of the day.

When she walked out at five, mentally exhausted, Harper was waiting for her in the lobby.

She stopped in front of him. “I thought we agreed that I could take care of myself.”

“I left earlier. I swear. Murph told me to come back at five and give you an escort home.”

“Sounds like Murph and I are going to have to have another talk about boundaries.” She was so not looking forward to that. “All right,” she said. “Thank you.” No sense in giving Harper any grief. He was just trying to help. “But I want to go over to the hospital first.”

“Just got off the phone with the captain, who just got off the phone with the doctor. Broken hip and concussion. Unless you’re family, the doctor won’t even tell you that much. Still no visitors. Might as well wait until tomorrow.”

He was probably right. “Okay.”

Once inside her car, Kate texted Emma to let her know she was going straight home. Then off she went.

Harper stayed behind her. When he caught her looking at him in her rearview mirror, he waved.

A police escort.Because Captain Bing didn’t think Kate was safe.

Now that she wasn’t working, her mind was free to run away with all kinds of dark thoughts.Betty and Mr. Mauro.And there was Emma… Her little sister. The most important person to her in the world. The thought of Emma in danger was unacceptable.

Kate pulled up to the curb in front of her house and made a decision.

As she got out of the car, Harper walked over, holding a hand out for her keys. “Let me walk through your house first.”

Kate didn’t protest. She was busy figuring out how to tell Emma what she needed to tell her. She waited in the foyer until Harper called, “All clear” from the back.

“Thanks.” Kate put her bag down and hung up her coat.

Emma burst through the door. “Any news on Mr. Mauro?”