Page 19 of Her Only Hero

He took my hand and led me to the couch. I nestled against him. He stroked my back, and I closed my eyes. His closeness and warmth were like a secure hammock. I loved the strength of his mind and body.

“June?”

I opened my eyes and sat up. Lights flashed outside.

“The detectives arrived. Will you be okay staying here alone while I assist downstairs?”

Tears stung my eyes.

Worry crinkled Patrick’s brow, and he put an arm around me. “You’re shaking.”

“Sorry,” I whispered. My fear multiplied, irrationally.

“June, I want you to stay at my place tonight. Would that be okay with you?”

I nodded, relieved I’d be somewhere that felt safe. But would anywhere be safe until we solved this case?

“Patrick? Can I ask you a favor?”

“Of course.”

“Would you mind taking me shopping sometime?”

“Yes, absolutely. Need a dose of retail therapy?” He smiled. “What do you want to buy?”

I glanced at his belt and then back up at him.

“A gun.”

Chapter Ten

From the closet and dresser drawers, I made quick selections and crammed a few days’ worth of clothes into a duffle bag I wished was bigger. On top, I squeezed in a small tote of toiletries.

I stepped out into the mild evening air. Patrick finished speaking with two detectives and then jogged over and took my bag.

“So, how do you want to do this? Do you want to follow me in your car?”

“That’ll work.”

He put my bag into the trunk of my car and, as a gentleman, opened the door to seat me inside. He then got into his cruiser.

I put the key into the ignition and turned it. The engine started fine, but then a knocking sounded under the hood. Patrick pulled away, and I shifted into drive. I tapped the gas, but the engine sputtered and shut off. I turned the key, but my car wouldn’t start up again. Patrick parked and got out.

“It died,” I said.

He tried to start the motor, but without success. “Have you had previous engine trouble?”

“No, none.”

“It’s getting late. Do you want to drive with me, and we can send for a tow tomorrow?”

“Okay,” I said, realizing there wasn’t much choice in the matter. My insides sunk. Had my old reliable car seen its last days?

We retrieved my bag from the trunk and then got into Patrick’s squad car.

He smiled. “Let’s try this again.”

I appreciated his attempt to put me at ease with his kind disposition, though the post break-in feeling of violation stilllingered. “So, what did you and the detectives do in the basement?”

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