Page 4 of Unexpected Danger (Mountain Justice #2)

Londyn’s boss did not look convinced. “Maybe someone should walk you out tonight.”

Dustin raised his hand. “I’d be happy to walk her out.”

“Thank you, Dustin. Speaking of staff meetings, we have one in about ten minutes, so I’ll meet you three in the conference room.

” Sonja nodded before returning to her office.

Staff meetings were a weekly occurrence, but most of them didn’t last more than a few minutes.

Sonja trusted her employees, kept an open-door policy, and did her best not to use up valuable work time in a day for the sake of a meeting.

However, when there was a staff meeting, it was mandatory.

Londyn ascertained the gathering must be important because when she walked into the conference room, not only was there a fresh pot of coffee and Dustin's donut box—and what remained of the donuts—but also on the table were several balloons tied together attached to a card.

Was it someone’s birthday? Ten employees worked in this department at Zedde and Associates, so when there was a birthday, they typically went out for lunch. But usually, Sonja let them know ahead of time in case they wished to attend.

Londyn took a seat in one of the cushioned chairs between Jasmine and Dustin. The rest of the employees filed in, and her boss stood.

“Thank you all for coming to the meeting,” Sonja began.

“I have a few announcements to make. First off, good job this past month. I have received compliments about the way you have all handled accounts, and our doctors, physicians, and hospital board members are pleased that we have been able to secure more of those outstanding balances. Working with those who owe on their bills in a way that secures payment but also in conjunction with their budgets is paramount, and you have all done stellar jobs attaining that goal. Secondly, we have a new job opening, so if you know of anyone who would be interested, please spread the word. And now, last but not least, we have an award for Employee of the Quarter. It’s not typically my habit to choose the same person twice in a row, but this individual has gone above and beyond for the company, so much so that they are fully deserving of again receiving this distinguished award. Dustin, that would be you.”

Everyone clapped, and Dustin smiled. “Thank you.”

“Your dedication, loyalty, and ability to work with our clients is nothing short of fantastic. Rarely does a week go by without a phone call from a client stating how much they appreciated your patience and understanding. Please accept these balloons and a gift card to one of your favorite places. You’ll also receive a bonus. ”

Everyone clapped again, and Londyn patted Dustin on the back. “Congratulations.”

He offered her a broad grin, and she realized perhaps for the second time in as many weeks that he was cute with his short-cropped blond hair and hooded brown eyes.

Dustin opened the card, read it, then held up the gift card. “Looks like I’ll be doing some shopping.” Everyone clapped again, and after eating doughnuts and drinking more coffee, they were released to their job duties.

Of course, three of the other single women in the office had to approach Dustin and offer some flirtatious congratulatory words.

One woman, a rail-thin redhead in her early thirties, gushed and offered numerous light touches and continued eye contact.

As one of only two males in the office, Dustin had earned a high ranking of popularity, especially among those hoping he’d ask them out.

The other two single women crowded around him and playfully teased him with hints about them being the ones he’d take shopping.

Dustin flirted right back, giving most of his attention to the redhead. He was a great guy, and any of the women would be fortunate to go out with him.

Londyn appreciated the interruption from the thoughts that permeated through her mind about last night’s visitor.

After the meeting, she discovered she had a phone message on her cell.

“Hi, Ms. Siegler. This is Detective Rivas. Officers Gann and Nelson apprised me of the situation with the man who paid you a visit last night and the prior episode with him across the street, along with the texts you’ve received.

Do you have time to come down to the police department this afternoon? ”

Londyn returned Detective Rivas's call and arranged to meet with him during her lunch hour. Fortunately, Sonja told her that if it took longer, that was fine, but that she would need to make up the time.

She finished making some notes on the computer about the most recent phone call, then logged off, put on her coat, and reached for her purse.

“Do you want to go to lunch with us?” asked Jasmine.

“I’m sorry. I’ll have to pass today because I have a meeting with the detective at the police department.”

Dustin perched on the corner of her desk. “We can always have lunch tomorrow instead. Do you need anyone to go with you to the police station?”

“I appreciate the offer, but I think I’ll be fine. I’m hoping it will just be a quick and painless process.”

Jasmine slung her purse over her shoulder. “Hopefully, they’ll be able to find out whoever this is. I wonder if they spoke to Mr. Nuss.”

Londyn had wondered that herself. If they had, how had the man reacted? Had he admitted it? How had he obtained her personal information?

Dustin offered to accompany her to her car since he and Jasmine were walking to the parking garage anyway. The three of them went their separate ways, and Londyn was grateful she hadn’t seen anybody out of the ordinary.

The Rowland Police Department was about three miles from Londyn’s employment. It was at least five times the size of the one in Pronghorn Falls, which was combined with the Sheriff’s Office.

A man in his late forties, Detective Rivas was a few inches taller than she was, possessed a high forehead and a widow’s peak, a broad nose, and a serious demeanor.

Londyn took a seat in the chair across from him in his office.

“According to your file, you have been receiving unwanted texts and have seen a man loitering around your apartment building and attempting to enter.”

Londyn shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Yes, sir.” Hearing the law enforcement officer say the words made them all the more real. “Would this be considered stalking?”

“For it to be considered stalking, it has to be a series of events, but I would say this has the potential to reach that point if it is the same person.” Detective Rivas rehashed the notes in the file.

“We visited BJ Nuss today. You mentioned you had concerns that it may have been him last night at your door.”

Could he be the one across the street? The one who texted her?

Was it just one individual? Her breath caught in her throat.

What if the texter and the visitor were two different people?

Finally, she found her voice and answered the detective’s question.

“Yes, because he’s the only one I can think of whom I’ve ever angered in Rowland. ”

“Could there be anybody from your former town who could be potentially harassing you?”

She could think of no one. She had no enemies here or there. “No. Not very many people even know I moved here.”

Detective Rivas rifled through the papers in the file folder. Had Londyn ever thought she would have an actual file at the police department?

He produced a picture and put it in front of her. “It’s my understanding that you have never seen Mr. Nuss but have only spoken to him on the phone.”

“That is correct.”

“Here is a recent photograph of him.”

Londyn stared at the man in the photo. He was thin, red-haired, green-eyed, with a chipped upper tooth, and looked to be in his late thirties. Not at all what she had expected from speaking with him on the phone.

“Could this be the man who attempted to enter your apartment or the one you saw across the street?”

“It’s really difficult to say. The man last night wore a ski mask, and the man across the street was too far away for me to determine his facial features.”

Londyn squeezed her eyes shut and tried to recall the image from last night before slowly shaking her head.

“I am sorry to say that I can’t provide any other details about his features.

All I saw was that he was on the taller side, skinny, and was wearing a black or navy hoodie and a black ski mask. ”

“You said that he tried the door. Did you happen to see a weapon?”

Londyn again attempted to think back to yesterday. Her chest tightened. Had the man possessed a weapon? Would he have used it? “I don’t know if he had a weapon. If he did, I didn’t see it.”

Detective Rivas stared at her, his eyes unblinking as if attempting to understand what a poor witness she was.

She was absolutely no help at all.

“All right, then. But you do think there might be a possibility that it is Mr. Nuss?”

“From the photograph you showed me, it could be him. He has the same build as the man at my door and probably a motive since I was unable to satisfactorily assist him with his account before sending it to collections.”

“I’ve spoken with him, and he denies both visiting your apartment and sending any texts.

He, didn’t, however, have an alibi. Hopefully, my visit will encourage him to keep his distance from you if he is, in fact, the one who has been texting and hanging around your apartment.

In the meantime, I would highly recommend you speak with your landlord about the possibility of installing cameras.

I will need you to keep a record of each incident and include as many details as possible. ”

While the landlord was nice enough, Londyn doubted he’d be willing to spend the funds necessary for a camera system, especially since so many things in her apartment needed an upgrade. If he wasn’t willing to do that, why would he purchase cameras?

“I assume you have blocked the number from further texts?” Detective Rivas’s voice interrupted her thoughts.