Page 49 of Rekindle My Heart

She stepped back.

“Someone knows you’re digging. I’d bet my life on it.”

Just then, the patrol vehicle pulled up behind the boat. The officer joined them. “Daniels. Ma’am. I’m Officer Banks. You cleared the house?” He directed the question to Ryan but glanced down at Karma who was sniffing his legs.

“Yes.” He filled the officer in on what he knew, then motioned to her to do the same.

“Is everyone okay then?” He pocketed his notebook at her nod. “I will take some photos and process the scene before I see if the neighbors saw anything.”

“Thanks, Banks.” Ryan let the man get to work. He turned to Erica. “Do you feel safe here tonight?”

No!She kept that thought in her head and stiffened her spine. “I have Karma. We will be fine.”

They locked eyes.

He squinted.

She squinted.

Don’t blink.She waited for him to demand she not stay here tonight. Or worse, that he would sleep on her couch. She stiffened her resolve. No way she’d blink first.

She blinked.

White teeth flashed when he smiled.

Shit. Time for plan B. Her argument played out in her mind. She was a grown-ass woman. And she had a dog and bug spray that worked as good as any pepper spray. And…and…

Another second passed before his hands rose, palms out. “Okay, chill. I can see the gears spooling up in that big brain of yours.”

A second patrol car pulled up, interrupting their conversation. Ryan met the officer halfway to the house. She couldn’t hear their full conversation, but she caught that Ryan sent him to interview any neighbors before he returned to her.

“I need to get the boat back to my cousin. Do you want me to come back?”

Did she? The flicker behind her ribcage said yes.

“No. We’re good.” She pet Karma’s broad head.

His dark gaze searched hers, no doubt looking for an untruth. She locked her knees and held her ground.

He nodded and climbed into his truck.

She waited until he rounded the corner. Finally. Her body slumped.

“Ma’am. Could you come in and let me know if anything is missing?” Officer Banks asked.

She snuck one more glance to the last place Ryan’s truck had been, then followed the officer inside.

Ryan had to be wrong about the break-in. The man she spent the day talking video games and movies with couldn’t have been behind it. Could he?Hot coffee in hand, Ryan had just pulled up the list of gala attendees when RaeAnne, the front desk officer, rang. “You have a visitor. Sergeant VU.”

“I’ll be right there.” Perfect. Maybe Kealy’s superior could shed some light on why the officer was hanging out with a known drug dealer on a Sunday evening. He grabbed his notepad and pen and went to the front entry.

The man surveying the surroundings stood with his hands resting on his tactical belt. His stance shifted as Ryan walked in. His arms dropped and he presented a hand. “Detective Daniels, nice to meet you.”

His shake was firm but not overpowering.

“Sergeant Vu, come on back.” Ryan held the door open for him to follow. He led him to a small conference room, closed the door, and gestured to one of the chairs. “Coffee?”

“No thanks. I got a to-go cup in the cruiser.” He took the offered seat.