Page 76 of Her Only Hero

“He was released from prison earlier than expected and has been spotted in the area. We have to make certain my house, car, or our phones aren’t being monitored. And when I’m not using it, I have to put my phone in an EMF blocking bag, so I’m not tracked.”

“So that’s why so many of my calls were going to voicemail. My God, Patrick.”

“Try not to fret about it. This is precautionary. This guy has a list of enemies, and I may not even be near the top. The undercover team will keep me updated.”

“Updated how? With a note in the morning newspaper?”

Patrick paused. “You knew about that?”

“The other night, when I couldn’t sleep, I came back downstairs and found you outside on the porch.”

“And you didn’t question me about it?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t know what to think, so I said nothing.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t forthcoming.” He dipped his chin.

I shifted on the vinyl bench. My conscience alerted me not to be hypocritical. I was not without sin. I hadn’t been forthcoming either about my past involvement with Aram. “Patrick, you don’t have to apologize.”

The waitress put a wire rack of condiments onto the table. I stopped talking until she was out of earshot.

“Has anything like this happened to you before? Being targeted?”

“I’ve had angry threats from guys I arrested, but none have followed through.”

“I’m frightened for you.”

“It’s all part of law enforcement,” he said and took a drink.

“Have you ever thought of taking up something else, like farming?”

He chuckled. “Actually, I have. You see where I live.”

“Oh, wow. You’re not kidding.”

“Not at all.”

The server came back with a pad of paper and pen. “Have you decided on your order?”

“Yes,” I said and pointed to an item on the menu. “I’d like the Hamburg Deluxe special, please. And an iced tea.”

“Make that two.”

“No problem,” the attendant said and retreated.

“I know little about police procedures, but I trust you’ll do what you need to do. To be safe. Right?”

“Yes, we’re on it.”

“Okay, good.” I chewed on the side of my lip. “Patrick, I couldn’t stop thinking about our case, and I went to the hospital this morning.”

Patrick raised his eyebrows.

“I found out David Moreno is out of his coma. Have you had a chance to question him yet?”

“That’s the other topic I wanted to discuss,” he said.

“You did question him?”

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