“Didn’t take time to check them. We just got out of there. The house looked intact, but I didn’t stop to take inventory either.”
Luke went back to his computer. With Roxy continuing her investigation of Luke’s office, Easton rounded his desk with Bailee in tow so they could see his screen. In no time, Luke hadthe video feed to Easton’s security system playing. After several minutes of nothing out of the ordinary, the figure of a man appeared at the edge of the frame.
“Come on. Show yourself, asshole,” Easton murmured, his eyes transfixed on the screen.
As if on cue, the stranger stepped into view and turned to stare directly at the camera. There was no mistaking the bearded face or beady eyes. The guy raised an aerosol can of some kind, and soon the camera went black.
“Melvin,” Bailee said. “So there’s no way to see what he did after that.”
“Hold on.”
Luke went to work, and soon a view of the back of Easton’s house came on the screen.
“Is that camera from Gran’s house?”
Luke nodded before he explained to her. “We upgraded her system so we could have complete access to anyone coming or going from the area. We didn’t want to take any chances with Melvin. Mrs. Maxwell gave us the okay.”
Clive Melvin appeared on the screen, stepping from the side of the house to the back door. A few seconds past before he stepped inside, leaving the back door open. Not long after that, Roxy bolted out the door and tore down the street. Luke fast forwarded the footage several minutes to show Melvin stepping out the way he came and securing the door behind him.
“How did he slip past the alarm system?” Bailee asked.
“Signal jammer,” Luke said. “We need to sweep the house. He didn’t bother to hide that he was there. Makes me think he planted something inside.”
“Or wanted us to think he did. This had to be more than him scoping out my security system. Otherwise, he would have been more stealthy in his approach. What game is he playing?” Easton ran his free hand through his hair.
Bailee ran her free hand through her hair. “We need to turn this over to Chief Tatum. This is evidence of breaking and entering, and we can add that to the assault charges already pending against him.”
Easton glanced at her. “We will, but not yet.”
“Why wait?”
“Because any interference from Tater and his officers will drive this guy into hiding. That’s not what we want. That’s why you stayed around, to draw this guy out. It’s working. We just have to figure out what his endgame is, so we can put a stop to it.”
He didn’t like the look that crossed her face, a mixture of incredulity and fear. The look gutted him. He couldn’t blame her for being afraid, but more than anything, he wanted her to feel safe and protected.
“No, I can’t agree to that, not when Melvin has the means to get to me no matter where I am. I know you said English taught you some of his CIA tricks, but that’s no guarantee that this guy won’t hurt you or kill you trying to get to me. My best shot is to head back to Louisville. Melvin will follow me, and I can work with the ATF to deal with him without any of you getting caught in the middle.”
Easton snorted. “It’s a little late for that.”
“You told her about Gish?”
Easton shrugged. “Some of it.”
Luke stood and tucked his laptop under his arm. “Might as well tell her the rest. She deserves to know if we’re going to help. I’ll call Jackson and Ben. You do what you have to do.”
“Tell me what?” Bailee demanded.
Easton ignored the question, fighting surprise that Luke encouraged him to confide in Bailee about the Legends. “You sure?”
Luke nodded. “It might bite us in the ass, but I don’t think so. She’s different.”
Easton nodded. She was. He’d felt that the first time he met her. She was full of passion and goodness wrapped in a tough outer shell that masked an inner vulnerability she only allowed a select few to see.
Bailee blew out an exasperated breath. “What are you talking about? Will one of you answer me?”
Her dark eyes flashed with confusion, and Easton’s gut churned. His brother was right. It was time he shared the entire truth with her and hope it was enough for her to agree to let them help.
Luke smirked as he slapped Easton on the back, intending it to sting as only a brother would. “Good luck. Come on, Roxy. You’re with me.” On those parting words and with a furry companion following curiously behind, Luke left them alone.
