Page 32 of The Husband's Secret
“What’s going on here?”
He and Brenda turned simultaneously at the firm demand.
Special Agent Cummings, flanked by two uniformed Huntsville PD officers, stood in the expansive open space created by the foldaway glass wall of doors.
“Ms. Devers,” he said, “Mr. Clark, perhaps you’re unaware that this is a secondary crime scene. The front door was sealed. Did you not see the seal?”
Brenda stepped forward before Ben could respond. “We came in through the garage. That’s the way I’ve always come into myhusband’shome.”
“Then I suppose we can let this misstep go, but I’m sure Detective Shelton will be speaking with you about the rules related to crime scenes.”
“Why are you here, Agent Cummings?” She surveyed the three men.
She was angry now. Ben didn’t blame her. She’d been through enough to be outraged.
“Huntsville PD received a call from a neighbor that lights had come on in the house,” Cummings explained. “I’m staying nearby and came right away, but I waited for the officers to arrive before entering the house.”
“Nearby?” A frown tugged at Brenda’s face. “Where? I know the area well.”
“With a friend.” He looked to Ben. “We should get the house locked up.”
Ben recognized his cue to act. He touched Brenda’s arm. “We’ll be on our way then.” Inside, he hesitated. “I’m assuming you have no news about the case.” When the other man failed to answer immediately, Ben tacked on, “I’m confident you’re keeping Ms. Devers fully and promptly informed since her safety is involved.”
“Of course.” Cummings smiled, but it was as false as his answer. “There is no news to report.”
Ben smiled back and then he and Brenda walked away.
He wondered though why the agent had chosen to lie.
Chapter Twelve
Devers Residence
White Street
Huntsville, 7:45 p.m.
Brenda was tremendously relieved when Ben parked in the garage behind her house. No matter that an intruder had invaded her private space and planted a bomb to harm or, at the very least, scare her, this was home and she was glad to be home.
On the drive back to Five Points, Detective Shelton had called to inform Brenda that her property had been released. The explosion was in the alley behind her detached garage, so there was no reason to hold her home or the garage hostage any longer.Hostagewas her word, not his. But at this point she felt as if she were being held hostage by whatever Scott had left them with.
The mere notion that he was alive and out there somewhere hiding while she endured this escalating travesty infuriated her.
Ben shut off the engine and turned to her. “When we go inside, let’s not talk until I’ve had a look around.”
Her gaze narrowed. “Does this have something to do with why you examined my cell phone when we got in the car to leave Scott’s house?”
He nodded. “I got the distinct impression that Agent Cummings was not being entirely forthcoming with us. It might be nothing but better to be safe than sorry.”
“Agreed.”
Brenda wondered as she emerged from Ben’s car if he’d ever spent this much time dedicated to an assignment. He’d been her new neighbor for a little over two weeks. If he was married, his wife probably thought he was never coming home.
After they exited the garage, she studied the man who walked ahead of her to the back door. He seemed completely at ease with the length of time he’d been on the job here. He glanced back and repeated that he should take a look inside before she went in. All of this, she reminded herself, was just part of the job. He was clearly not just an investigator. He was a bodyguard.
A bodyguard. The idea made her head spin. Not even one of her heroines had ever required a bodyguard. None had ever been the target of a bomb either. She might have to step up her plotting game after this. The research was certainly done.
She waited on the back patio while he unlocked the door, deactivated the alarm and walked deeper into the house. Leaning against the doorframe, she considered that he didn’t wear a wedding band. Never mentioned a wife or girlfriend. But then, maybe it was policy not to discuss his private life. Lots of people didn’t wear jewelry at all. The missing band didn’t mean anything.
