“I’ll look into that avenue. Keep me postedif you think of anything else. I’d like to get full statements fromyou and your crew, see if anyone else has seen or heardanything.”
As he unlocked the closet door in Frank’soffice, he nodded in ascent. “Sure thing.”
He turned on the locked computer and loadedtonight’s security footage. Watched as the break-in occurred, thetwo he’d seen Maddy and Ian come out with. The first headed towardthe nearest refrigeration unit and immediately began finding theright wires to dismantle. The second headed straight upstairs tothe office.
He selected the main office camera andenlarged the picture. With purpose, the man headed straight for thestorage closet where they held printed back-ups of data, budgets,tax files. Setting up better electronic storage had been on hisagenda, which was now taking a big priority, aside from boostingsecurity in general.
Within minutes, before the asshole had mademuch progress, Maddy entered the picture. He’d seen a prettystraightforward arrest on the smaller picture for the downstairscamera, but was more focused on her stealthy trek up the backstairs to sneak up on the upstairs perp. Shit, this was likewatching a nightmare unfold.
Maddy was incredible in action. He’d neverseen her like this. She disarmed the perp with a swift, effortlessmove. Used her own momentum to throw the asshole across the room.As terrifying as it was to watch, he didn’t worry about her so muchnow. Not stupid though, the second the gun was trained on her, shewaited him out and moved damn fast down the stairs to catch himoff-guard from the other side.
She hadn’t been kidding, she could take careof herself just fine. Running a hand through his hair, he slowlyexhaled, getting control of his emotions.
At his side, Andrea was proudly grinning.“Yep, we’re lucky she was here tonight. I think I’ll ask her tostart a training program for our other officers.”
17
Maddy was just turning off the shower and heard herphone ringing from the bedroom. Crap, her parents. She’d asked themto call the second they were settled into their “villa.” Of course,they called when she was away from her phone. She tossed her towelaround her, but knew it was fruitless, she’d soak the floor anyway.She leaped at the phone, saw her mom’s number on the screen, andmanaged to answer in the nick of time.
“Mom, are you there?” She was breathless asshe answered.
“I’m here. What are you doing? You sound outof breath.”
“I heard the phone ringing as I was gettingout of the shower. I suppose I could have just called you back…that actually sounds much more reasonable now that I think aboutit. Guess I was looking forward to your call. Well? Are you totallyjet-lagged or have you acclimated? Is it beautiful?” She wrappedher towel around her and sat on the edge of the bed, looking out atthe sun warming the beach.
“This country is incredible. We stayed inRome the first few days, so the jet lag is already much better.It’s incredible. We have a spectacular view of a vineyard. Thepeople are truly amazing. So kind and welcoming.”
Laura went on to describe their trip so far.“I lost a bet with your father and was stuck riding in the middleseat on the flight over. The woman next to me was delightful buttalked for two hours straight. I had to put on my headphones andclose my eyes and pretend I was asleep, and she still didn’t getthe message,” she stopped to laugh, and Maddy heard her fathergrumbling in the background. “So, when your dad got up to use thebathroom, I told her how much he’d love to hear about her businessplans, and I switched spots with him. I could hardly sleep at thatpoint for laughing at my cleverness.” Maddy loved the visual of herparents. Her mom had a wicked sense of humor, and her parents stillmanaged to joke so well with each other.
“Devious, Mom. But, well-played. What was thebet?”
Laura paused, “I… I’ll tell you when you’reolder sweetheart.”
“Mom, as much as I’m happy you and Dadmaintain a healthy sex life, I really don’t need details.” Sheinwardly cringed, blocking the threatening visual.
“That’s not what I meant. It was about youdear. Nothing unkind. Love you. Have a good day. Ciao,” and hermother barely waited for her ciao back before hanging up. Now thatwas odd.
Her parents were a bit strange. The last fewmonths, they’d been strongly hinting that she should considergiving dating another try, and she suspected it was related. Ifonly they had any idea where her brain was these days.
Mom, Dad, I’m thinking of having epic,mind-blowing sex with Dad’s business partner.
That would go over well.
She shook her head, amused at herself. Maddyremembered she was still soaking wet and went back to her morningroutine. Still a bit sleepy from her double night shifts, shebrewed a large pot of coffee and got ready for the rest of the day,now that the morning had been mostly wasted sleeping off the pasttwo nights.
Still in a fatigued fog from her late night,Maddy rubbed her eyes and got ready for her day. She was notcounting on having a productive day; the day after was alwaysrough. Last night hadn’t exactly been a typical Seaview nighteither. Not quite like her nights in Seattle, but she was a littlesore from the beating she’d taken last night.
No word yet on who’d hired the perps, butthere was little doubt that Dylan was involved. His goons hadn’tsaid a word. Maybe after a night in a cell.
She slipped on an easy maxi dress and flipflops, skipping make-up or doing her hair. She poured a cup ofcoffee and headed out the door. A trip to the farmer’s market forsome fun groceries sounded relaxing, and she could grab an easybreakfast while she was there.
She hopped in the jeep and drove up the hillto the farmer’s market. The market was mostly open-air, with a fewpermanent fixtures in the covered section. During the summer,especially on the weekends, the place was a madhouse. As she pulledinto the parking lot, she was grateful it was only Friday and therewere a few open spots.
Grabbing her shopping bags, she hopped outand headed straight to her favorite produce vendor. The market wasabsolutely gorgeous this time of the year, with massive gardenssurrounding it, full of color. Maddy took her time picking out avariety of fresh fruits and veggies.
Magnificent smells emanated from the foodvendors, making her remember she hadn’t had breakfast yet. Shegrabbed a yummy breakfast sandwich to soothe the angry growling inher belly. As she munched, she perused some of the craft vendorofferings and found a pretty handmade wooden salad bowl and tongsthat would make a perfect housewarming gift for Chase. Pleased withher own thoughtfulness, she stopped next and picked up a tableclothto cleverly wrap it in.
Maddy was just heading for the exit,refreshed after a successful shopping trip, when her heart leaptinto her throat and started pounding so hard it echoed in her earswhen she saw him. Chase stood, maybe fifty feet away, paying forsome produce he’d just purchased from the same vendor she hadvisited on her way in.
