“Total dick,” Gael agreed.
“Gael,” Cameron hissed.
“No, he’s right,” Sophia said. “Total dick. There was always something about him I didn’t like. From the day I met him, I could feel it. Just couldn’t put my finger on what it was.”
“We can discuss this later,” Cameron said. “I’m safe here, Nate. I don’t want to go running off somewhere else.”
“He could try something,” I told her. “He could stop by at any time.”
“Let him try,” Sophia said with an angry sniff.
“Plus, if Rick realizes you aren’t here…” I scratched my nose, trying to clue her into what I meant. If her scent was gone, then he wouldn’t bother.
Cameron frowned, but then she seemed to understand. She gave me a slight nod.
“If he knows you aren’t here,” I repeated, “then he won’t bother your family. You don’t want that, do you?”
“I suppose not,” Cameron said, wrapping her arms around herself.
“This sounds serious,” Sophia said. “Shouldn’t the police arrest him? Why should Cameron have to go hide somewhere?”
“I promise you, my police friend is working on it. That’s who I’m on the phone with. He’s working on getting a restraining order as well. Calling some lawyers and a judge he knows.” I added that last bit to ease Sophia’s worries. “It’ll take a few days to get it all set up, and in that time, Cameron needs to get out of town until it takes effect.”
“That makes sense,” her mother said, but she didn’t sound convinced. “Is this how things like this usually go?”
“Sort of, yeah.” I turned my attention back to Cameron. “Don’t you have that big project you’re working on for the paper? Maybe you couldshifta few things around to take some time off.”
I gave her a loaded look, hoping she’d understand. Her first shift was coming, and possibly sooner than I thought, based on how fast her senses were developing.
It had the effect I’d hoped for. Cameron’s mouth dropped slightly open, and I saw the realization dawn on her. Her life,which was already sort of in shambles, was going to getmoreinteresting very soon. It would be extremely bad if her first shift happened around her family.
“Okay, fine,” she said. “Uh… I’ll move some stuff around. We can make it work. Just for a few days.”
“Great.” I put the phone back to my ear. “You still there?”
“I’m here, I heard the whole thing,” Ollie said. “I’m getting a restraining order now?”
Gritting my teeth, I said, “It’s part of the plan. Just go with it.”
“Whatever. Look, I’ll get everything settled and meet you. I’ll get a car from impound, something nondescript. I know you love that damn bike, but you two will stick out like a sore thumb on that thing. I’ll let JC know what’s going on. Maybe he can figure something out from his end, but this is the best I can do until then.”
“Thanks, Ollie. See you soon.”
I hung up and looked at the Torres family. They were huddled together, talking in low voices. The fear I saw in their eyes irritated me. They were all innocent. None of them should have to deal with this shit.
I’d do all I could to fix it. I’d keep Cameron safe, no matter what. Then, I’d catch the two fuckers who’d brought all this drama to their door.
23
Cameron
This was not what I had in mind when Nate said we were going to a police safe house. In my mind, I’d pictured a windowless concrete Quonset hut or an underground bunker. Maybe some rundown flop house in a less traveled area. A campground wasnotwhat I’d had in mind.
A carved wooden sign above the gravel drive read:Harmony Brook Campground.
I looked over at Nate as he pulled in. “This is the safe house?”
“Yeah,” he answered. “Ollie gave me the key to one of the cabins. There’s sort of an under-the-table deal between the campground owners and the Toronto PD. They keep one cabin open exclusively for the cops to use in situations like this.” Nate put the car into park. “I track people for a living, and I’d probablyneverthink to look here. Come on.”
