Page 38 of Cold Silence
Travis glanced at his watch. “Speaking of which, I need to head out.”
She trailed Travis to the front door, her emotions lingering near the surface as they had been since Travis arrived. She still didn’t want to be around him, and yet, she didn’t want him to leave. What was wrong with her? She needed to get a grip on the situation.
He rested his hand on the knob then faced her, his expression a hazy mix of concern and eagerness to get going. “Be sure to keep the door locked and listen to Gage.”
“Relax, I’ll be fine,” Claire said, though uncertainty continued to crowd her brain. She was thankful for Gage’s help. She appreciated his protection, and despite his arm injury, he put in an outstanding performance on the simulations, but she still felt safer with Travis.
She wouldn’t keep him here when Mike was waiting at the bowling alley. “You’ll be with our top suspect, so he won’t be coming after me. I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t let your guard down. I won’t have eyes on him until after I get a good look at his apartment while he claims he’ll be at the bowling alley.”
“I don’t think he’s lying about that. I know he went bowling every week while he worked with me.”
“Still, take care.” Travis searched her eyes, and she warmed at his genuine concern. Concern for her. For her safety. She loved that he was always willing to come to the aid of someone in trouble.
Check.Down went another mark in his good-guy column. Even with her desire to keep him at bay, he was quickly swaying her toward thoughts she shouldn’t even be considering.
“I hope to be back by ten at the latest.” After a final lingering look that did nothing to help Claire forget the effect he had on her, he stepped through the door and closed it firmly behind him.
She twisted the lock as if locking him from her heart then went to the kitchen and retrieved her favorite mug. Gage kept a watchful gaze from a chair by the entrance.
“Cup of hot chocolate or tea? Coffee?” she asked him.
“Nothing for me, but thanks.”
She filled her mug with water, and as she dug out a packet of cocoa, Gage bolted from his chair and raced to the front door.
Claire’s heart lurched. Had her attacker seen Travis leave and was at the door, planning an attack?
Gage looked through the peephole. “It’s Julie.”
Claire started for the door.
Gage eyed her. “Step back to the kitchen. I’ll let Julie in.”
She backed into the small kitchen and waited as Gage opened the door and looked out. “You’re alone?”
“Yes,” Julie said.
“Then come in.” Gage stepped back and secured the door behind Julie.
She came in to the kitchen and frowned.
“Something wrong?” Claire held her mug, ignoring the water waiting to be heated.
“Not with me.” Julie dropped onto a counter stool. “But you look worried and makes me think I was even more right about stopping by to see if you were okay since you were attacked.”
Claire put the mug in the microwave and stared at the whirling turntable as she considered her answer. Clearly, Claire hadn’t hidden her distress over Travis leaving, but Claire still couldn’t discuss the theft with her. Did she want to talk about Travis with Julie? Claire had never told anyone, not even her mother, the real reason she’d ended things with him. She’d barely been able to admit it to herself, much less talk about it, but now that he was back and raising all these feelings again, the need to talk about it with someone was pressing in.
Was Julie the right person, though? The line Claire had held with Julie made her unbiased when it came to Travis, and she should be able to offer a rational opinion. Maybe she could help.
“I guess I’m more uncertain than worried,” Claire answered, hoping to slide into the discussion and see where it took them.
“Uncertain about your safety or about Travis?”
“Gage’s here. He’ll keep me safe.” Claire waited for the microwave to ding, then took the cup to the breakfast bar.
Julie perched on the edge of her stool and rested her elbows on the smooth granite counter. “I don’t know how you can drink that when it’s so warm out.”
