“I told you about the calls,” Gabe reminded Nica, his voice tender.“I didn’t tell you I was trying to track them, because so far we’ve hit a stone wall.I promised no more secrets, and meant it, sweetheart.”
“Doc, these calls, do they mention Melissa Carpenter?”Rafe pressed.
Gabe hesitated, the weight of his past pressing down on him.He hadn’t told Nica’s family everything about why he’d left California.They knew he’d had a difficult time at his previous hospital, but the details…the accusations…those he’d kept to himself.Only Nica knew the full story.Well, that wasn’t true.Rafe knew the bare bones about what happened with Melissa, because he’d done a thorough background check on Gabe when he’d moved to Shiloh Springs.Douglas knew too, because Gabe had discussed the calls with him.
“Yes, she’s usually the focus of the calls.Like I said, at first they were hang ups.But for the last week or two, the caller has been gloating about how he’s going to make me pay for the death of Melissa Carpenter and all the other patients that died under my care.”Gabe’s voice trailed off as he remembered the gut-wrenching guilt he’d felt with each name.Even knowing he’d done nothing wrong, had treated the patients to the best of his abilities, losing even one patient hurt.
Nica’s hand found his, squeezing tightly.
“Are we thinking this could be the same person who tore up the clinic, left the spray-painted message with Melissa’s name on the wall?”Rafe leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest.
“Could be,” Gabe whispered.The memories flooded back—the accusations, the whispers in the hallways, the doubt that had crept into the eyes of colleagues he’d worked with for years.He didn’t want the same thing to happen here in Shiloh Springs that happened at Stanford.
“You’ve had time to think about this.Any idea who might be wanting you to suffer?Family member, husband, lover?
“Melissa was a single mother with two kids.She was seeing someone seriously when she came to the hospital,” Gabe supplied.“I don’t know a lot, because she wasn’t actually my patient.I was covering for another doctor in my practice.A man who tried to ruin my life.I know it’s not him, though, because he’s dead.”
“This changes things,” Rafe said, standing up.“If we’re dealing with someone from your past, Gabe, someone with a grudge, it’s obvious they’ve got no problem using Nica to get to you.”
The thought made Gabe’s stomach churn.This was exactly what he had been afraid of since the moment he realized someone wanted Nica to know about his past, had sent her all the damning information from California, drawing her into their dangerous game.The roses sent to his wife, flowers from some unknown stranger, was the icing on the cake, because this monster had scared his beautiful, loving wife.His past catching up with him was one thing; putting Nica in danger was something else entirely.It had to stop before things escalated to the point of no return.
“Off the record, I’m going to have somebody find out everything they can about Ms.Carpenter.By the end of the day, we’ll know every aspect of her life, right down to what kind of chocolate she liked,” Rafe continued, moving toward his computer.“This stalker has to be somebody who’s in Shiloh Springs or staying nearby if they are following my sister and broke into the clinic.If he’s staying local, I’ll find out.”A wicked grin crossed Rafe’s face.“Remember, I said off the record.I’m going to have Destiny start doing the search for the Melissa Carpenter connection, and I’ll put Shiloh on checking into the man who’s been following Nica.”
“What about the break-ins?”Nica asked.“Should we file a report?Get fingerprints or something?”
Rafe nodded.“I’ll send Dusty and the team over to both places this afternoon.I doubt we’re going to find any prints, too much time has passed, but we’ll give it a shot.I’ll have them canvas the neighbors.Maybe we’ll get lucky, and somebody will have seen something.In the meantime, I want you both to stay somewhere else.Not at either of your apartments.”
“They can stay with us,” came a voice from the doorway.They all turned to find Douglas standing there, arms crossed.“Sorry, couldn’t help overhearing.Nica’s old room is still empty at the Big House.It’s yours for as long as you need it.”
“Dad!”Nica raced across the room, throwing her arms around her father.“What are you doing here?”
“Dropped by to talk to Rafe.Wasn’t intending to eavesdrop, but I’m glad I did.”His eyes met Gabe’s over the top of Nica’s head, and he could read the concern in his father-in-law’s direct stare.Gabe felt a wave of gratitude, but it was quickly overshadowed by a surge of determination.He wouldn’t be driven from his home, wouldn’t let Nica be intimidated.
“Thank you,” he said sincerely, “but no.I’ve arranged for a security system to be installed at our place this afternoon.New locks too.And I’ve already called in a favor from an old friend.”
“What friend?”Nica asked, surprise evident in her voice.
“Mike Reynolds,” Gabe explained.“We went to medical school together in California.He left medicine to join the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit.He’s taking leave for the next two weeks and agreed to come down to help us figure this out.”
Rafe raised an eyebrow.“You have an FBI profiler friend and you’re just mentioning this now?”He chuckled.“This is going to put Antonio’s nose out of joint.He likes being the FBI agent in charge of family issues.”
Gabe met his brother-in-law’s gaze steadily.“I called him after the break in at the clinic.Not because I don’t think you’re doing your job.I simply wanted to talk to him, toss around a few ideas.He wouldn’t take no for an answer.He’s driving in tonight.”
A complex emotion passed over Nica’s face—surprise, perhaps a hint of hurt that he hadn’t mentioned this sooner, but mostly relief.“You really think this is that serious?”
“I’m not taking any chances,” Gabe said firmly.“Not with your safety.”
Rafe studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly.“Good.I’ll coordinate with your friend when he arrives.”He turned to Nica.“In the meantime, I want you to document everything.Every time you think you saw this guy, every item that seemed out of place.If you see the man again, take photos, but don’t confront him.”He stared at her, pointing his finger.“I repeat, do not confront him.You see him again, you pick up your cell phone and you call me or 911.Understand?”
Gabe watched as Nica absorbed all this, saw the moment when the reality of their situation truly sank in.Her shoulders tensed, but her chin lifted slightly, that stubborn Boudreau pride asserting itself.
“I understand.”
“We’ll find him,” Rafe assured her, the promise of a protective big brother in his voice.
“And when we do,” Gabe added, his tone leaving no room for doubt, “he’ll wish he’d never set foot anywhere near my wife.”
As they left the sheriff’s office, Gabe kept his arm firmly around Nica’s waist.Outside, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the sidewalks of Main Street.He scanned the street automatically, searching for unfamiliar faces, for anyone who might be watching them.
