Page 16 of Kidnapped in Dark Waters
She looked gorgeous in a billowing pale blue sundress. Apparently, she hadn’t changed yet into her night-stalking clothes. Unlike last night, there was no smile on her face as she gestured him toward the sofa.
“Is everything all right?” he asked with concern.
“I’m not sure. Would you like something to drink?”
“No, I’m fine. Sit here next to me and tell me why you aren’t sure that everything is okay.” He patted the seat next to him.
She walked over to the bookcase in the room and picked up a piece of paper, then sat next to him on the sofa. “This was taped to my door when I got back here from lunch.” She handed him the piece of paper.
He read it and a bit of concern washed over him. He set it down on the coffee table and then gazed at her. “You don’t have a clue who might have left it for you?”
“Not a clue,” she replied. “And I didn’t see anyone around, either. I don’t know if I should be afraid or not.”
“It could be a threat,” he said slowly. “It’s also possible it’s just a note from a secret admirer who plans to win your heart.”
A frown furrowed her brow. “Then I don’t like secret admirers.”
“If that’s all it is, do you have any idea who it might be?”
“I have no idea,” she replied. “I’ve never understood the whole secret admirer thing. If somebody is into me, then step up…be a man and talk to me in person.” Her eyes held his gaze. “This reminds me of what my sister went through.”
Less than a month ago, Angelique had gotten a frightening note on her door. Then she’d been attacked by a person wielding a knife. The first time she’d managed to escape with just some wounds on her arm.
However, she had been attacked once again with near deadly results. The attacker had been Angelique’s ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend. It had been solely based on jealousy and the belief that Angelique needed to die so the new girlfriend wouldn’t have her as competition.
Luke reached out his hand and took Dominique’s in his. “This is nothing like what happened to your sister, so get that idea right out of your mind.”
Her cold fingers twined with his, as if she was seeking his warmth and support. “Just tell me…should I be afraid?”
With her big, doe-like eyes staring into his and her hand so small in his own, he wanted to promise he’d keep her safe forever. Instead, he really considered the situation before replying.
“I don’t think you need to be overly frightened exactly, but I do think you need to be extra aware of your surroundings when you’re out and about. This might be nothing more than a love note of sorts.”
“Well, I’m not loving it,” she replied drily.
“Could you get me a baggie big enough to hold the note? I’ll take it into the station and see if we can lift some fingerprints off it. Hopefully that will tell us who left it.”
“Sure, I’ll be right back.” She got up from the sofa and disappeared into the kitchen area. She returned a moment later with the baggie in hand. He carefully slid the note inside it and then set it back down on the coffee table.
“Now, on to more pleasant things,” she said when he was finished. “Tell me what you did this afternoon.”
“Nothing too exciting. I took a nap and then I cleaned my gun,” he replied.
She raised one of her perfectly arched dark eyebrows. “Are you expecting a gunfight sometime soon?”
He was pleased that she appeared a little less tense than she’d been when he’d first arrived. “God, I hope not,” he replied. “There’s nothing a police officer hates more than having to shoot his gun.”
“That is comforting to know,” she replied. “I’m sure you all wish every conflict could be resolved easily and without violence. Speaking of conflicts, has anything happened in the investigation into my mother’s murder?”
“Unfortunately, nothing has changed. However, it looks like it might pour rain at any minute. If it’s raining, do you still intend to watch Pierre?” he asked.
“No. He won’t go out if it’s raining and so I think you’re probably going to be off duty for the night,” she replied. “And don’t look so darned pleased about it,” she added.
He laughed. “I can’t help it that I’m not upset that we aren’t going out to sit in a swamp for three hours or so.”
“You know you don’t have to do this.” Once again, her gaze held his intently. Her eyes were so beautiful with their rich color and long dark lashes.
“Oh, but I do have to do this,” he replied.
