Page 27 of Trust in Me
I hoped she’d stay with me. Something had shifted last night. I didn’t know if it was when she called me Daddy, or her trust, or something else.
Avery shook her head shyly. “No, I…I think I’d like to stay with you. If that’s okay.”
A smile spread over my face. I gathered her in a hug. “That’s just fine with me, baby. I’d like that. Best get going so you have time to change before your shift. Good luck today, sweetheart.” I gave Avery a playful swat on her jeans-covered bottom as we both made our way toward the door, keys in hand.
“Is…is everything okay?”
Avery’s expression was worried as she made her way up the few steps from the living room to the kitchen. She looked from me, still in my uniform, to the two people in suits sitting across the table from me.
“Avery, come sit down with us.” I motioned her over.
Avery dropped into a chair and looked back and forth between the visitors. “What’s going on?”
Detective Collins spoke first. She was in her 40s, with sun-bleached hair, tanned skin, and a runner’s build. She had a reputation as no-nonsense within the department, but always managed to turn on the comforting charm with victims. “I’m Detective Collins, Avery. I’m one of the arson investigators that works with the department.”
Avery’s eyes went wide.
“And I’m Detective Reyes,” the man next to me added as Avery’s eyes slid to him. “I’m with the Denver Police Department as well.”
Detective Collins looked at Avery. “Avery, it appears the fire in the apartment complex was started in your apartment. Gasoline was poured under your door, and someone lit a match. This was intentional.”
Avery’s mouth fell open. “But who would do that to me?”
I cleared my throat. “I showed them the note, Avery.”
Detective Collins tilted her head toward Avery. “What can you tell me about this note, Avery? Did you receive more than one? Any idea who it could be from?”
Avery scrunched her face up in thought. “There was the one on my car windshield, when I left work one day. It was around the same time that a guy hit on me in the ER, and he called me a bitch.”
My hand tightened into a fist under the table at the idea that someone had spoken to her like that. Never again.
Detective Reyes nodded, taking notes. “Go on.”
“And then there was another one on my door, the same handwriting. It said something about getting rid of the police, after Brax had come to pick me up in his uniform. Just those two.”
Detective Reyes scribbled on his notepad. “And this guy who hit on you. Had you seen him before?”
“Yes, I saw his stepdaughter in the Emergency Room, but he came to the ER by himself like a week or two before that. It was weird, he asked for me, even though you don’t, like, choose your doctor in any ER. And we’re a pediatric ER only. We don’t see adults. He got really upset when we told him that. Security had to escort him out.”
“Hmm. And he asked for you that first time? Had you ever seen him before?”
Avery chewed on her lower lip as she thought. “I don’t remember meeting him, but I know I saw his stepdaughter in the clinic one other time, a month or two ago. Anna.”
Detective Reyes added more to his page of notes, then tucked the notepad in his breast pocket. “Well, we’ll do everything we can to find out who did this. In the meantime, this guy was bold enough to set fire to your place. There’s no way to know if he thought you were there at the time. So I would consider him dangerous. I’d stay in safe areas, make sure you have someone with you when you can.”
There was no hesitation in my mind. “I’ll take care of that.”
“Thanks, Brax. Avery, you’ll be in good hands with him. We’ll keep you both updated.” The detectives stood up. I walked them to the table, leaving Avery alone at the table.
She was still there, looking lost in thought. I sat back down across from her and waited for her to break the silence.
“I don’t think I need…” Avery trailed off as she caught sight of my expression.
“We will be taking this seriously. I will drive you to work tomorrow, okay?” I held Avery’s gaze. “I know you’re used to taking care of yourself. I know you’re more than capable of doing this on your own. But this time, you don’t have to. Let me be strong for you. Keep you safe.” I paused. “Can you trust me with that?”
She opened her mouth to protest, then closed it again. She kept her eyes on me as she nodded. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good girl.” I smiled. Time to lighten the mood a bit. “Now, let’s get your mind off of everything for a little while. No more thinking about work, the fire, any of that. How about a movie?”
