Page 43 of Shielding Serena

Serena’s teeth had started to chatter, and Walker knew shock was setting in. “How about we go back to The Menagerie and do this?” Walker said. “Let’s get Serena somewhere comfortable. We can lock this place up and keep it cordoned off for evidence.”

Garrett considered it, then nodded. “Okay, as long as the locks are still viable and we can keep the scene secure.”

“I got here before he did,” Serena said, her voice shaky. “So the locks are still good.” She looked around the unit. “I can’t believe this happened. I can’t believe it was him.”

Walker agreed. None of this made a lick of sense. But his biggest priority right now was getting Serena out of here.

He ushered her to his truck, boosting her up even though she didn’t truly need it. His heart had stalled seeing Higgins with that gun, and now he needed to feel her, to ensure she was real to his shocked senses.

He’d led men in battle, had watched some of them die and had taken lives himself. But nothing had scared him as much as seeing Serena in danger.

When he climbed into the cab and she scooched over until she was right next to him, he knew they were feeling the same things. The aftermath of pure adrenaline, terror and the need for physical touch.

He slung one arm over the bench seat and pulled her close, neither of them saying a word on the drive to The Menagerie.

About halfway there her shakes stopped and his own breathing evened out, so by the time they pulled into the parking lot, they both had their shit together for the most part.

The lot was empty, but Gena was still in the kitchen, buttoning everything up, and gave a little shriek as they trooped through the back door with Garrett on their heels.

“You scared me,” she said, holding a hand to her heart. Then she got a good look at their faces. “Oh God, what happened?”

“How about we all get a drink and settle into the dining room first?” Walker suggested. “I know I’m parched, and we need to do some talking.”

“I’ll take care of that,” Gena promised. “Let’s start with water for everyone, and then if you want something else I can make it up while still listening.”

They all nodded in agreement and took their seats, settling in when she bustled out with glasses and a pitcher. Once everyone was situated, she found her own seat.

Before Serena could begin, Garrett’s shoulder mic squawked. “Sheriff, check your phone,” Gladys’ no-nonsense voice directed.

He acknowledged her, then checked his phone, his expression going completely blank for a long moment before he raised his eyes.

“Why don’t you tell us what happened, Serena. Then Walker, you finish up with your piece, and then I’ll tell you what I know.”

She gave them the rundown of what had happened, explaining how Higgins had appeared behind her babbling about a key, how she’d found the identical figurine, and how she’d clocked him with the jar of buttons. Both Walker and Garrett paled when she mentioned her weapon of opportunity.

“You took him out with freakin’ buttons?” Gena gasped, then crowed in triumph for Serena. “My boss is a superhero!”

“It was the first thing that came to hand,” Serena replied, almost a little sheepishly. Gena’s outburst had lifted the mood in the room, and Serena was glad for the atmosphere change.

Walker sobered. “She’s not wrong, you know, darlin’,” he said, not bothering to hide the affection or the fear in his voice. “You kind of are a superhero, at least to us.”

Then he launched into his additions before looking to Garrett. “You’re up.”

Garrett looked down at his phone. “Prelim from his fingerprints is that his name is Albert Flowers. AFIS returned him almost immediately since he’s a felon, small time, kind of like Bobby Caldwell. After he did his time, he was linked to a B&E that ended up with the homeowner almost dead. His partners went down for it, but there was never enough evidence to take him to trial, and they never rolled on him.” Garrett held up the key. “I think I know why.

“This is a safety deposit box key. Dollars to donuts that when we get a court order to open it up, the spoils from all of their robberies are in there.”

“Oh,” Serena said, as it dawned. “He rambled something about finding that key being a life-or-death thing.”

Garrett nodded. “His partners are real pieces of work. I guess we’ll see if he was going to bolt with the money, or use it to help them disappear. Either way, I think we can safely say that your attacker is now behind bars.”

The relief that swept through her was indescribable. “I guess that means you’ll be letting Marlon and Bobby out?”

Garrett seesawed his hand. “Marlon still tried to break in to your place. We’ll chat with his PO to see what they recommend. As for Bobby,” he turned to Walker. “That’s up to you.”

“I already told him and his lawyer that I wasn’t pressing charges.”

Garrett nodded and stood. “Well, I think that about wraps it up,” Garrett said. “I may have some further questions, but my advice is to take the rest of the afternoon and relax.”