Mike was already on his phone, stepping into the foyer to make a call.When he returned, his face was grim.
“The data shows the call came from inside Shiloh Springs,” he said.“I’ve got somebody checking to see if the signal was bounced around, maybe making it look like it came from town, but my gut says whoever this is, they’re close by.”
Gabe tightened his grip on Nica.“He’s watching us right now.”
Mike nodded, moving to the window to scan the quiet expanse of lawn in front of the house.“Whoever this is, they’re escalating faster than I expected.The fact they knew I was here means they’re surveilling you.They knew where you were.”
“What do we do?”Nica asked, her voice steadier than Gabe expected.
“We draw them out,” Mike said, turning back to face them.“But first, we figure out exactly who we’re dealing with.I need access to your computer, phone records, and a complete list of everyone who knew about the Carpenter case.”
Gabe nodded.“I’ll give you everything I’ve got.It’s in the office at my…our apartment.”He listened to Mike talking quietly to Nica and Rafe in the kitchen, explaining security protocols, what to watch for, and how to stay safe.They’d bring in extra deputies if necessary, set up additional surveillance.All the right moves.But Gabe knew that procedures and protocols wouldn’t be enough.This was personal.Whoever was targeting them had been planning this for a long time.
And he was done hiding in the shadows.He pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts to a number he hadn’t called in four years.A connection from his darkest days, when he’d been desperate to clear his name.
If Mike was going to help them officially, Gabe needed someone who could work unofficially.Someone who knew how to find information that wasn’t in any database.
He pressed the call button and waited, looking through the window and wondering exactly where his tormentor was, if they were still watching or had their morbid curiosity been satisfied with another taunt, another not-so-veiled threat.In Shiloh Springs, everyone knew everyone.Which meant the person threatening them had to be someone from outside, a visitor or somebody who’d moved here recently.
“Ramsey,” answered a gruff voice on the other end of the line.“This better be important.”
“It’s Gabe Summers,” Gabe said quietly.“I need your help again.”
There was a pause, then a low whistle.“Must be serious if the good doctor’s calling me after all this time.What kind of trouble are you in now?”
“The kind that’s threatening my wife,” Gabe said simply and explained exactly what had been happening.He didn’t leave anything out.
Another pause.“Didn’t know you’d gotten married, Doc.Give me a day, two tops.Don’t tell your Fed friend you called me.”
Gabe wasn’t even surprised that Ramsey knew he’d called Mike.Ramsey seemed to be omniscient sometimes.As the call ended, Mike appeared in the doorway, eyes narrowed.
“Everything okay?”he asked.
“Just making sure the clinic’s covered,” Gabe said, sliding his phone into his pocket.“And reminding myself what’s at stake.”
Mike studied him for a moment longer, then nodded.“Let’s get to work then.Whoever this guy is, he’s made two critical mistakes.”
“What’s that?”
“First, he’s become emotional—making threats, showing off that he knows about me being here.That means he’ll get sloppy.”Mike’s expression hardened.“Second, he threatened an FBI agent’s best friend and his wife.That’s a line you don’t cross without consequences.”
Together they returned to the kitchen, where Nica was already laying out a timeline of events on the table.As they began to work, Gabe felt a grim determination settle over him.Between Mike’s official investigation and Ramsey’s under-the-table methods, they would find whoever was targeting them.
And when they did, Gabe would make sure this threat to his family was eliminated—permanently.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The bell abovethe door ofHow Sweet It Ischimed softly as Nica pushed inside, the familiar scent of vanilla and cinnamon wrapping around her like a warm embrace.Jill’s bakery had recently become one of her mother’s favorite spots for serious conversations—neutral ground where the weight of family expectations felt a little lighter, cushioned by the comfort of sweet treats and strong coffee.And because there were only a few scattered tables and chairs, there was more of an element of privacy than Daisy’s Diner, which was usually packed with customers, making it difficult to hold any kind of conversation that wouldn’t be overheard—and spread throughout town if it seemed like juicy gossip.Nica had learned a long time ago, living in a small town, people lived for the latest tidbits about their neighbors.
Her momma was already seated at their usual corner table, her back straight and hands folded in her lap with the practiced composure of a woman who’d spent thirty years managing eleven sons, a husband, and one spoiled daughter.But Nica caught the slight tension in her mother’s shoulders, the way her fingers worried the edge of her napkin spread across her lap.Even from across the room, she could see the careful mask her mother wore—the one that said everything was fine when it clearly wasn’t.
“Momma.”Nica slid into the chair across from her, noting how her mother’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Baby girl.”Ms.Patti’s voice carried all the warmth it always had, but there was something brittle underneath, and Nica hated it.Hated that she’d put that underlying hurt into her momma’s heart.“I ordered lavender honey scones.Jill said they’re fresh from the oven.”
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken words settling between them like dust.Through the large front window, Nica could see Deputy Martinez in his patrol car, his presence both reassuring and a stark reminder of why these simple mother-daughter moments had become so complicated.
“Momma, I—”
