Page 137 of Secrets Beneath the Waves

“Great. Thanks.” Another reason to see Jules again. She’d be thrilled. Dante almost grinned as he pocketed the set.

Brie hugged Jules before stepping back, her fingers wrapped around Jules’ upper arms. “How will we get in touch with you if we can’t text, call, or email you?”

Before Jules could answer, Dante held up a finger. “Actually, if you wait a minute, I might be able to help with that.”

His cruiser was parked in front of the building, and he jogged over, pulled open the door, and leaned into the passenger side to withdraw a small, white box from the glove compartment. As he approached the three friends, Jules flapped a hand at the other two, and whatever conversation they might have been having—the audible version of the one they’d attempted to carry out in the elevator, no doubt—ceased abruptly. Which was too bad.

Dante came up to stand next to her, holding out the box. “You can use this burner phone while you wait to get yours back from the lab.”

She shuddered. “I don’t want that one ifhehas touched it. I’ll pick up a new one as soon as I can.”

“In the meantime, use this one. It’s not traceable.”

When she didn’t move to accept it, Kelli nudged her in the side. “Take it, Jules. Since Officer de Marco was thoughtful enough to get it for you.”

An uncomfortable heat prickled along his neck at her suggestive tone. “It’s not a big deal. It belongs to the force. It gives me a way to get hold of you if I need to. For the case,” he added quickly.

Jules grabbed the box from him. “Fine.” Brie gave her a pointed look, and Jules rolled her eyes. “Thank you.”

“No problem. The number is in the box.”

She lifted the lid, removed the small piece of paper on top, and showed it to her friends, who both entered it into their devices. Brie hugged Jules again before sliding onto the passenger seat. Kelli stopped in front of her and grasped her upper arms again. “You’ll be careful?”

“Of course. I’m so sorry about all this, Kels.”

Her friend shook her head. “You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. This is all him. You’re the hero here.” She let go of Jules’ arms. “Brie and I will be praying.”

Jules nodded. “I appreciate it.”

Her voice had thickened a little, as though her friend’s words moved her. Interesting. Did that mean she had a faith? If she was ever willing to look at him again, let alone have a conversation, maybe Dante would have the chance to ask her.

Kelli climbed behind the wheel and started the engine. Dante watched the Camry as she drove it across the lot and onto the street. He kept his gaze on the rear lights of the vehicle as long as he could, making sure no one was following them.

When the car disappeared, he turned to Jules. She had been staring after her friends as well, but at his movement, she lifted the white box. “Well, thanks again for this. You know how to reach me if you need to. For the case.”

The last three words held a little more mocking than Dante was comfortable with, but he let it slide. “Jules.”

“What?”

“You won’t consider staying somewhere else?”

The slight pleading in his voice softened her features. “I really don’t like the idea of letting this guy drive me out of my home.”

“But?”

“But I’m also trying not to be stubborn or make your job more difficult. So, after I get on my computer and shut down all my online accounts, I’ll think about it. Okay?”

Thinking about it was not nearly good enough. The best he was likely to get from her, though. “Okay.”

When she started to turn away, Dante touched her arm lightly. “You’ll keep your phone close?”

“I will.”

“Thank you.”

She nodded, her green-blue gaze locking on his briefly before sliding away. “Good night, Dante.”

“Good night, Jules.” As he had with her friends, he watched her get into her car and drive away.