Maddy pointed to the bedroom, “Above thecurtain rod.”
Without more than a nod in greeting, Mike gotstraight to work. Within minutes, he had removed the camera andmoved on to sweep the house for any other surveillance equipment.While he worked, Andrea took down her story.
"I know it was Dylan, but I can't proveit."
Andrea looked her in the eye, "We'll figurethis out. I agree, Dylan is the obvious suspect, but we will stayopen to any possibilities. We'll get the evidence when Mikeanalyzes the camera. Until that time, I don't want you leaving thehouse alone, and when you are home, the alarm is set and connecteddirectly to the station if anything triggers the alarm." Maddynodded in agreement, shivering despite the heat.
Andrea continued to pick Maddy’s brain andtalk over the possibilities while Mike finished his sweep. It hadtaken nearly two hours, but finally Mike came out of the guestbathroom. "Maddy, I can assure you, this was the only device. I dida full sweep. I know my stuff, I did a lot of tech work inChicago," he looked her in the eyes as he ensured she wasconvinced. He’d worked for the Chicago PD before “retiring” totheir little seaside town.
Maddy nodded, "Thanks, Mike. Can you tell meanything about the camera?"
Mike sat on the chair across from her. "It'spretty basic. Anyone could find it online. No audio. Video only. Isuspect it has limited Bluetooth capability. From what I've seen insimilar devices, I'd say the perp had to be within 100, maybe 200meters to pick up any signal. I'll do some research and confirm."He collected his gear and headed out, passing her anothersympathetic look before heading for the door.
"Hang on Mike," Andrea stopped him. Shelooked to Maddy. "You said Chase should be here any minute? We'llhang on until he gets here. You going to be ok?"
Maddy again nodded. "I'll be fine. Not myfirst rodeo, unfortunately. Different strategies, same asshole.You'll let me know if he sends you anything incriminating or triesto get in touch with you?”
She continued, knowing Andrea would need moredetails, and feeling grateful she had a boss she felt comfortableenough to be so open. “As he escalated last time, when I didn’trespond how he wanted, he started undermining my pillars. Myreputation at school and my plans for the future, communicationwith family and friends. He knew how much those pictures wouldn’tjust ruin my chance at working in the law, but knew how deeply theywould upset me. I was very… reserved about my own body; mostlythanks to his insults."
Bastard. He was freaking obsessed withshowing her and others… her. Knowing how private she was and howmuch it would bother her. Maybe he felt powerful holding that overher. Or, maybe he was just a freaking creep.
Andrea replied, "Maddy, look me in the eye.We will handle this. I will keep you fully in the loop. You call meif you even smell something funny, got it? You go anywhere I'm notexpecting, you call me first."
Grateful yet again for her incredible boss,Maddy promised to run everything by Andrea. "Really, thanks."
They heard Chase's truck pulling in, soAndrea and Mike took their leave. Maddy got up to walk them to thedoor, disabling the alarm to let them out, "Be careful," Andreasaid as they left. Maddy stood in the doorway. She watched themwave to Chase as they hopped into their Explorer. Chase's concernwas almost palpable. He watched the Explorer drive off and lookedback to Maddy with question.
"Hey there. You ok? What was that all about?"Chase asked as he walked in the house, setting the home-alarmhimself after locking the front door. He followed Maddy into thekitchen, setting a bag of groceries on the counter.
Before he could say anything, she threwherself into his arms for a desperately needed hug. Later she’dconsider freaking out that things were moving so fast between them,but not now. She needed him, and it just felt right. His powerfularms wrapped around her.
She basked in his warmth. Inhaling his scent,somehow always like a fresh sea breeze, and something indescribablymasculine, so very Chase.
Pulling her in tight, he kissed the top ofher head. His legs braced apart, leaning against the counter andholding her tight against him. Waiting for her to speak, when shewas ready. It was too much.
For the first time, she allowed a few tearsto seep out. Then a few more. Her body trembled. If he hadn’t beenholding her up, she would’ve crumbled to the ground. His handgently rubbed her back, soothing as best he could.
With a sniffle, she pulled back. She grabbeda paper towel and dried off the tears. Done with the crying jag,she crumpled up the paper towel and threw it forcefully in thegarbage. Stupid paper; it fluttered gently to the trash. Argh. Shewanted to throw something, tear something, scream and rage.
25
“Ready to talk about it?” With her sudden shift toangry, Chase stayed put, trying not to look too sympathetic. Heknew her too well. The anger helped.
She filled him in, not letting the tears comeback. Her hands kept busy to distract from her whirl of emotion.Maddy uncorked the bottle of wine he'd brought, pouring them each aglass. She told him all about the camera, Mike's impressions,Andrea's promise to investigate.
"Why can't he just move on? Why cameras? I’mworking on a complex about it, but I’m resisting. I don’t want togive him the satisfaction. Maybe I should call Playboy and do somepictures, let him know it’s not the way to get to me. Not sure Ihave the breasts for Playboy. Find one that doesn’t mind a barely-Bcup."
“Honey, you have amazing breasts; Playboywould be stupid to turn down your naked body.” He folded his armsin over his chest. “I think it is his way to show you that youcan’t escape him. That he’s always watching. One more way to proveto you he holds power over you.”
Gripping her by the hips, Chase pulled her inclose again. Looking down at her, he kissed her gently on theforehead. “You’re incredible. You’ll get through this. I’m here foryou, this time, if you want me. What did you do to escape himbefore?”
Without waiting for her response, hecontinued, “You made a freaking great escape plan. Yeah, he foundout, and you made him pay. Shit, Maddy. Despite the trauma, thelegal shit you had to go through, uprooting your life andtransferring schools, you still graduated early. With honors. Andmade detective in record time.”
Her poor ego wasn’t going to be able to takemuch more of this; she just may explode. She grinned back up at himas he continued boosting her mood. “When you were ready, you cameback home. Stronger than ever. Made an incredible home,” he paused,the corner of his mouth turning up as he continued to describe her,“Turned this tiny police department on its heels, modernizing theirprotocols and even the dang uniforms. Now you’ve been asked totrain your fellow officers in hand to hand combat. I watched thesecurity tapes from the night of the break-in; you have someserious power. Physically and mentally.”
“And you…”Make me feel whole again.He paused, not wanting to push too far, but knowing he needed tofinish the sentence, “kicked my ass in football.” Pressing hismouth to hers, fire coursing through him. Tongues tangled in anepic battle. Scooping her up, he took her right there in thekitchen.
***
