Page 24 of Shadow of Fear
“I’d like to say Mom’s out of the woods,” Colin said. “But time will tell if these meds keep working and she feels well enough to move back home.”
They fell silent, and she offered a prayer for Sandy. Kinsley already prayed for her every day, but no one had told her that Sandy was doing as poorly as she had been. Kinsley couldn’t wait to see her in person. Not only because she loved her like a second mother, but to make her own assessment of the very special woman’s health.
Dev sat forward to peer intently at his brother. “I need you to put your computer genius to work and see what you can find out about Louis Luongo.”
“Wait, what?” Wide-eyed, Colin asked, “What in the world do you want me to look into him for?”
Dev glanced at Kinsley. “As a former FBI agent, Colin’s like most law enforcement officers and is very familiar with Luongo.” He shifted to look at his brother again and explained Luongo’s potential connection to Kinsley. “I don’t think it’s connected, but any time a killer moves into your neighborhood, you have to consider him for major crimes committed in the area.”
“That’s a name I hoped to never hear again.” Colin rubbed a hand over his face. “He’s a slippery dude, and I don’t like the thought of him anywhere near any of us.”
“So look him up,” Dev said. “See what you can find out. Maybe you can learn something that will at the very least stop him from buying property here.”
“I’ll write a few algorithms and see what I can find.”
“Since Colin served in IT in the FBI, he has mad computer skills,” Dev told Kinsley. “Hopefully he can give us information to go on. He can also help with your computer if we run into issues with it.”
“Once we retrieve it,” she said.
“OnceIretrieve it.” Dev gave her a pointed look. “You do understand why I can’t have you go to your apartment to pick it up, don’t you?”
She nodded. “What do you suggest I do now?”
“We get you settled at the cabin. My teammates, who all have law enforcement or military experience, will provide security for you, and Colin and I’ll pick up your computer.”
He was going to leave her behind? Really?
No. She didn’t like that. Not at all. Not only for his safety, but she didn’t like the idea that he would be leaving her. She felt safer with him nearby. But why? Sounded like his team had the capability to keep her safe, so what was her real reason behind wanting Dev at her side? Was she letting that teenage crush take over? Was it more than a crush? Did she have feelings for him? Real, legit, grown-up feelings?
All good questions, but an even bigger one was, if so, what was she going to do about it?
Dev had called his mother to tell her to expect Jada and Kinsley. He knew she would be waiting at the door for them, and she was. In fact, she hobbled down the steps with her cane, tossed it to the ground, and threw her arms out to draw Jada close. “Oh, sweetheart. I’m so glad to have you home.”
“I’m glad to see you too, Mom, but you don’t need to strangle me.” Jada laughed and pushed back.
His mother turned her sights on Kinsley and dragged her into a hug as well. “And you, sweetheart. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen you.”
“I’m sorry about that,” Kinsley said, but didn’t withdraw from the hug as Jada had done.
In fact, she slid even closer. Maybe she needed reassuring after the shooting in town. Or maybe she just missed his mother, who he knew after all the time that Kinsley spent with their family, she thought of like a second mother.
They finally split apart.
His mother linked arms with both women and turned to the door. “Well, how about not making it such a long time before I see you again?”
They both muttered promises to make sure not as much time passed before they returned. Question was, could either one fulfill their promise?
Dev retrieved the cane and followed the trio up the stairs. Reid and Ryan remained outside as they’d agreed upon earlier, and Colin would go with Dev to the campground to pick up Jada’s and Kinsley’s belongings. Software on Reid’s phone would alert him to any activity at the gate, and the Maddox brothers would form the first line of defense against any intruder.
Confident the cabin was secure for now, Dev stepped inside to a place in serious need of remodeling. A tangy scent oozed from the attached kitchen. The lunch they were late for. He was thankful his mom could prepare the meal, but he needed to keep an eye on her so she didn’t wear herself out during Jada and Kinsley’s visit.
This large, three-bedroom cabin belonged to the Maddox brothers and their business. The rooms were overloaded with fishing décor from a time when the cabin was rented out as part of the family resort. After the resort closed, Russ moved in but only updated the mattresses and living room furniture. Then he got married and moved into Sydney’s newly built townhouse.
His mom sat on the sofa, with Jada and Kinsley flanking her. Brooklyn, Colin’s fiancée, sat in an easy chair smiling at the other women. She’d once been paid to care for his mother, but had recently gone back to her job as a white hat hacker. Still, she’d really connected with their mom and spent a good part of her day tending to her needs, but then went home to a nearby rental house at night.
Colin closed the door and stepped into the room. Brooklyn shot to her feet and raced to join him behind the sofa. He gave a wide smile and opened his arms. She slipped into them, and he held her close, kissing the top of her head. It warmed Dev’s heart to see his brother so happy. Maybe Dev should listen to Colin’s earlier advice about Kinsley.
He leaned against the wall-to-wall stone fireplace, with its thick wooden mantle and big taxidermy salmon mounted above. The monstrosity took center stage in the family room. He watched the women chatter, one stepping on the other’s words, falling into their old ways of easiness with each other.
