Page 37 of Two Hearts' Ploy

Wren sighed, following him to the door.

Chapter Twenty

The following morning, Jeff was awake bright and early, drinking coffee as he awaited Jake’s security installation team, its members all scheduled to arrive at six.

While he was waiting, he sent the list of workout equipment he’d received from Wren the previous night to Steve Ryder, the head physical therapist over at the wounded warrior home. After going over the list with him, Steve would forward his recommendations to a friend who’d be able to gather everything together for Jeff at a discount.

Jeff had gotten a text from Jake the night before, warning him that Wren might require additional protection. Namely, a bodyguard, when she wasn’t in a secure location.

That bodyguard would more than likely have to be him while she was here in Crystal Rock, Jeff decided. Wren wouldn’t be able to continue living her life in hiding.

But first, Jeff needed to learn whatever it was that Jake had discovered since yesterday. Obviously, there’d been some progress in the investigation.

Jeff knew several people on Jake’s team, so he had no qualms handing over the keys to the place before he left the house. Jeff had pointed out where the placement of cameras on the property should be as well as where viewing screens should be installedinside the house. When he was away from home, he’d have the program to access all cameras on his phone.

Jeff was driving his truck since Jake wanted to meet him for breakfast at the Inn. He’d more than likely have work from the studio to bring home this afternoon anyway. Plus, Jeff had a feeling that Jake might want him to follow Wren to the studio or even drive her over.

One of the waitresses seated Jeff at the table reserved for family in the corner of the main restaurant.

“Sure, I’ll have some coffee,” he said, smiling at the waitress.

“Jake’s taking a call in his office, but he said he’d be down to talk with you shortly. Would you like to order? He was worried you might be short on time.”

“Thanks, Sarah,” he said. “Maybe I’d better.”

After ordering eggs, toast and a side order of hash browns, he handed over the menu.

Another ten minutes later, Jake appeared, looking concerned as he approached the table.

“I’ll just take some coffee, Sarah,” Jake said as she approached. “Why don’t you go ahead and fill up Jeff’s cup while you’re at it?”

After Sarah poured their coffee and headed off to take an order from some customers seated across the room, Jake started talking. “I’ve already filled in Wren, but I thought you should know that we found the person responsible for sabotaging the wiring that caused the fire at the studio where Wren was originally supposed to record her album. It turns out he was a studio musician and had actually performed in one of her backup bands on one of her tours. Even though Wren didn’t remember him, my FBI contact who’s keeping track of the investigation managed to find the connection.”

“So, he’s her stalker?” Jeff asked, finishing his breakfast. “Has he admitted to it?”

“I’m afraid there’s a problem with that scenario,” Jake said gruffly. “He was discovered yesterday afternoon in his apartment. Someone shot him.”

Jeff very carefully wiped his face with his napkin, resting it on his plate, trying to regroup.

“Someone really does have it in for her, then,” Jeff said grimly.

“Yes, I’m afraid so. But something other than a stalker situation might be going on here.”

“Since the person who was responsible for causing the fire that killed three people and injured several others was killed,” Jeff muttered, agreeing. “Wren knows all this?”

“Other than the fact that we were able to positively connect the musician to her,” Jake replied.

“She needs a bodyguard,” Jeff said. “And the best person for that right now would probably be me.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Jake answered. “And if it gets out that she’s here in Crystal Rock?”

“Let me guess,” a crisp woman’s voice replied. “We’ll put out the story that Jeff and I are dating, and I’ve been trying to keep the relationship a secret. No one needs to know about my connection to the studio fire. It’ll be a pretty good ploy, I guess.”

“Would you like some coffee, Wren?” Jake asked, as she took a seat beside Jeff.

“Yes please,” she answered, smiling at Sarah as she approached the table with the coffee pot. “Plus, I’d love a bagel with cream cheese.”

“You’ve got it,” Sarah answered as she poured Wren’s coffee. “I’ll be back with that in about five minutes.”

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