Page 19 of Forged By Fire

“We wait.”

For the window to get installed.

To pick up the security supplies.

For the suspect to strike again.

Chapter Eleven

When Clint said he could get the security lights installed for her, he wasn’t kidding. It would’ve taken her so much longer to get one of them put up than it did for him to install both. Not only that, but he’d done it all without complaint or hesitation.

When he’d suggested following her back to the house and staying with her for the rest of the day, she wasn’t sure she liked the idea. Truthfully, it was the thought of being at the house alone that had led to her agreement.

She’d had the opportunity to speak with him numerous times in the past, but it was always related to an emergency where they’d both been called to respond. They were an efficient team. Truth be told, when she saw him at a scene she was working on, it usually brightened her day a little—a fact she’d never allowed herself to analyze too closely.

Now that they were in the same house—in the same room—and working together to install the window alarms, she had the opportunity to watch him work. He handled himself with confidence, but included her ineverything. He probably knew that helping would make her feel more in control of her situation.

In some respects, their training wasn’t all that different. They’d both been taught how to de-escalate a situation and keep the victim focused and calm.

Except she refused to think of herself as a victim because that meant the guy who was trying to shake her up was winning.

He wasn’t going to win.

“All right, I’m ready for the last one.”

Leslie opened the final package of mini alarms and dropped the pieces into the palm of his hand. By now, they knew exactly how to put them on the windows, and it took less than a minute before the last window was armed.

She observed their work, her hands perched on her hips, and nodded with satisfaction. It wouldn’t keep anyone from breaking into her house again, but it would keep it from being a surprise. They’d tested each alarm to make sure they worked, and there was no missing the warning sound. It’d wake her up from a dead sleep without question.

Between that and barricading the doors when she was home for the night, she hoped and prayed he wouldn’t be getting back into her house again.

“Thank you. I feel a lot better about staying here tonight.” She gathered up the trash and stuffed it back into the plastic bag the alarms had come in. When she looked up, she caught Clint watching her.

He tried to conceal the look of concern on his face, but he wasn’t quick enough. He must’ve realized it because he explained himself.

“I really wish you could stay with someone else until we get these cases wrapped up. Are you sure you can’t call yoursister? Or do you have another friend or family member who could stay here with you?”

“Please trust me when I say that staying at my sister’s isn’t an option. We don’t get along well enough to live in the same house. Not to mention, if I’ve got someone coming after me, I don’t want to paint a target on my sister or my nieces.” She’d never forgive herself if something happened to them. “As for friends? Again, I can’t ask them to come here and put themselves at risk. Now, if someone had a big dog I could borrow for a few days…” She chuckled. “I’m picturing a giant Great Dane lounging on my couch. I think I’d have to get another one, or there wouldn’t be enough room for me.”

Clint laughed. “I can’t picture you with a Great Dane.”

“Please don’t tell me you think I’m a little dog kind of person.”

“No.” He ran a hand over his bearded chin. “I was thinking more like a Doberman or a Rottweiler. One of those tough breeds that can handle anything, people know not to mess with them, but when it comes to friends or family, they’re sweet and loyal. It would be a good fit for you, since you’re tough, too.”

“Wow, you put a lot of thought into that.” His compliment made her cheeks warm. She ducked her chin. “I appreciate that. I’m not sure how strong I am, though.”

“Everyone hits rough patches when they aren’t sure whether they can handle what’s ahead. But you? You got back up, kept going, and still worried about others in the process. If that’s not tough, I don’t know what is.”

His gaze held hers for several moments until his phone rang, the sound echoing through the living room and effectively interrupting theirconversation.

Leslie crossed her arms in front of her and moved to perch on the edge of the couch as he answered.

“This is Baker.” He listened to whoever was on the other end of the line for several moments before speaking again. “I appreciate that, Chief Menendez. I’ll be by shortly. Bye.”

She figured he was talking to someone else at the police station. She hadn’t expected it to be her own chief. “Is everything okay with Danny?”

“What? Oh, Chief Menendez was looking into several things for me, mostly with regards to possible missing equipment that the shooter may have stolen. He said he could get everything emailed over, but I’d like to talk to him in person. Get his take on whatever he found out.”

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