Page 127 of Chasing Shelter

“Baby.” I crouched, framing her face as I got to eye level. “Can you give me your keys?”

She nodded, but it came in short, jerky movements. It took her a few tries to fish them out of her bag, but she finally handed them to me.

I didn’t want to leave her, but I didn’t want her or Keely with me in case I saw something inside. I unfastened the gun holster at my hip, happy as hell I hadn’t stowed it in the gun locker in the back of my SUV yet. One hand rested there as the other held the keys.

Ignoring Grem’s barking, I scanned the living room. Nothing looked out of place; everything was its typical, chaotic rainbow of color. I unlocked the door and sprang Grem from his lockdown. He tore out of the house and headed straight for his pals, Keely and Bumper.

I quickly locked the door again and headed straight back to Ellie. Pulling her into my arms, I held her tightly. It didn’t stop the shaking, but at least I could absorb it. I held her as the happy sounds of animals and my daughter swirled around us. I held her as Ellie’s world crumbled. I held her, knowing there wasn’t a damn thing I could do to erase this nightmare.

But I could protect her now. I could make surenothinglike thishappened again. And I would. Even if it meant breaking every single law I played by.

Car doors slammed, and I knew the reinforcements had arrived. “Back here,” I called.

Keely looked up, a huge smile on her face. “Who’s here? Do they want to play with Bumper and Grem, too?”

I kept hold of Ellie. Wasn’t sure I could let go if I tried. “Some of my friends from the station are here. They want to see Ellie’s house.”

Keely’s smile widened even further. “Can I tell them I helped paint the rainbow? It’s soooooo pretty.”

“We can tell them, Keels.”

The back gate swung open, and Gabriel and Beth moved inside, shutting it behind them. Gremlin took off running toward them, but instead of attacking Gabriel as I thought he would, he did a little spin and let out happy barks.

Gabriel glanced at me. “This theattackdog you keep complaining about?”

I knew he was trying to keep it light for the girls’ sake. “He bites me when I come in.”

Gabriel grinned and bent to pick up the beast. Gremlin just licked his chin and snuggled in. “Oh yeah,” Gabriel said. “Real vicious.”

“Is that a goat?” Beth asked, amusement in her voice.

“This is my bestie, Bumper,” Keely called.

Beth shook her head. “I’ll be damned.”

“You got keys?” Gabriel asked, crossing to me.

I nodded, handing them over to Gabriel but still not letting go of Ellie. “Couldn’t see anything out of place through the back door. Left the photos in the mailbox with the rest of the mail. Ellie’s the only one who’s touched them.”

Gabriel took the keys. “Beth, you want to get the techs going with the mail?”

She lifted her chin in assent. “On it.” But she didn’t move right away. She looked at me and Ellie. “We’ll get ‘em.”

My throat worked as I swallowed hard. “Thanks.”

“We’ll be back. Hold tight,” Gabriel said.

I pulled Ellie into my arms, holding on as if that would fix everything.

“Why?” she rasped. “Why would someone do this?”

I didn’t have any answers for her now, but I would find out. And whoever was responsiblewouldpay.

37

ELLIE

Trace’shouse was teeming with people. More than he’d likely ever had in the Craftsman bungalow Shep had modernized. Sheriff’s department officials were in and out as Nora energized them with endless coffee, cookies, and other snacks. The entire Colson crew was there, too, apart from Luca, who was at a friend’s for a sleepover, and Keely, whom Leah had agreed to take for the night after some initial annoyance at a change in the parenting schedule.

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