Page 55 of Letting Go
“And what is that?”
“We know unfortunately that someone is watching you directly or is at least somehow connected to someone around you. If they personally didn’t see you and Hunter interact, then maybe they heard the gossip going around town, and that was enough motivation for them to harm him. But knowing this, we can use it to our advantage.” Walker stretches his legs out in front of him, crossing one foot over another, and without thinking, I reach out and place one of my trembling hands on top of his ankles. He hums his approval.
“What do you mean?” I’m not following his thought process, but I also feel a headache coming on, thanks to throwing up and crying.
“We’ll increase the security measures around you and Eloise, beyond just cameras outside your sister’s house like she already has set up. But any additional security measures will be put in place quietly, and they’ll start watching to see who is observing you, without raising any suspicions. This could be enough to uncover a small lead that could then unravel this entire case, and at the same time keep you and Eloise safe.” Walker sounds confident and it’s not like I have a lot of options right now with someone watching me without my knowledge. “It just takes tugging on the right thread to unravel an entire sweater.”
“My brothers have always acted like my personal bodyguards anyway so I’m sure they will be happy to help however they can.” I start to stand, before Walker jumps up and offers his hand to help me. With a small smile, I thank him and grab the toothbrush my sister placed on the counter for me.
“That’s great, but we’re going to involve the professionals on this one, like myself and my team.” Walker leans against the bathroom wall, looking at me in the reflection of the bathroom.
“You haven’t met Liam yet,” Savannah says from the hallway.
“No, but I read enough in your file to know that he and I will be on the same page.” Walker turns his head to look at my sister.
I stop brushing my teeth and wait for him to meet my eyes in the mirror again. “What does it say in my file about my brother?”
“Enough to know we likely have similar backgrounds, and intentionally sparse enough to know that he will be on board with this plan,” Walker answers without actually answering. My brother Liam is no stranger to working with law enforcement agencies and I understand there’s a good chance Walker knows more about what exactly my brother does for a job than any of hissiblings know. Walker’s phone vibrates and he opens a text message. The corners of his mouth tip upwards as he leans forward to reach around my body and show me the text message. “See? He and I will get along just fine.”
Unknown
Agent Bennett, this is Vivian Stone’s brother Liam Callahan. Dr. Harlow Lane gave me your direct number and will personally vouch for me. Please call me as soon as possible to discuss safety measures regarding my sister and niece. Thank you, I appreciate your swift attention to this.
I see his smug smile in the reflection of the mirror and then he winks at me. “Like I said, I think Liam and I will be on the same page. Why don’t you finish freshening up in here and let your sister get you some water and pain killers for the headache I’m sure is setting in while I go outside to call him, okay?” Walker is telling me what we’re both going to do, but his comforting tone doesn’t come across bossy or controlling. Before he steps out, he runs his hand up and down my arm in a soothing gesture, and I find myself leaning ever so slightly into his touch. As I finish brushing my teeth, I realize the second he stepped away, I missed his touch.
Chapter thirty-one
Walker
“I appreciate you going above and beyond for my sister, Agent Bennett.” Liam Callahan didn’t waste any time letting me know he is willing and able to do whatever is necessary to keep Vivian and Eloise safe, regardless of what I’m capable of approving in a professional capacity. I walk to the back patio, shutting the door behind me.
“I understand your concern for their safety, but we can ensure that without resorting to extremes or crossing ethical boundaries. We could expand the number of Forrest Falls residents that you introduced to Harlow to keep their eyes open, in addition to my team’s presence.”
“Maybe, but more people might ruin the original intention of stealth surveillance. I’m sending a tech guy I know to Savannah’s first thing tomorrow for an audit of her security system, and I’ll be handling any necessary upgrades. Shane said he was going to call my guy to make the updates I recommended six months ago, but I bet he never called him. This time I won’t be asking anyone to handle it. I’ll make sure it’s done. My sisters won’t be surprised; they know I would rather ask for forgiveness than ask for permission.” I like this guy’s energy. It’s clear Liam likes to get things done and is not afraid to get his own hands dirty. I can respect that, especially when it comes to taking care of his family, with one particular family member being someone I find myself caring for more and more with each passing day.
“I understand you are at an undisclosed location, but I would be happy to meet whenever you’re back in the area to explore any other security options.” I turn and glance through the patio doors as Savannah and Vivian walk back into the kitchen.
“Vivian will not be thrilled about this, but I’ve already called one of my brothers. With Jack’s work, he has contacts for private security firms that big name celebrities utilize in Nashville. The one his company uses only hires veterans with extensive training and starting tomorrow, they’ve got a new client based in Forrest Falls. I'll inform Vivian and take responsibility, but Jack and I won't give her a choice in this. This shit is escalating and I want whoever is behind it found yesterday. This is my family and I don’t fuck around with their safety, Agent Bennett.”
“I won’t mention the private security team, but a few members of my team and I will be in town more frequently. I still can’t shake this gut feeling this somehow will lead to the missing piece that my task force and I have been chasing for almost a year now.”
“And is that all this is? Savannah mentioned you drove out there tonight immediately after Vivian called you. You could’ve just talked to her on the phone, but instead you hightailed it in less than an hour to see her. I appreciate the dedication, but I have to ask if it’s purely professional at this point.” Liam shoots me straight, and I’d prefer if he didn’t actually shoot me.
“That’s a fair question. I understand where you’re coming from, but if I’m going to have a conversation about the nature of my relationship with your sister, with all due respect, that conversation is going to be between Vivian and I first before anyone else is included.”
“Relationship?” The line goes silent before he growls. “Did you just fucking mention a relationship with my sister?”
It’s likely not the effect he was going for, but his growling is amusing to me. “To be fair, any interaction between two peopleis considered a relationship. For now, I may have a personal vested interest in the case, but I have honor, Mr. Callahan. The status of that relationship may very well evolve once we solve this case. For now, the relationship between your sister and I have certain boundaries due to the nature of my job and this investigation.”
“And when you arrest the murderer?”
“Well, then those boundaries will no longer exist. I don’t know what it will look like then, but we can revisit this conversation at that point in time if it makes you happy.”
“Yeah, count on that fucking conversation happening, Agent Bennett. Harlow vouched for you and said you’re a good guy, but just so you know, I expect you to respect those professional boundaries of yours around my sister. I respect what you’re doing to solve these cases, but I am not your friend, and you really do not want to be on my bad side. Do we understand each other?”
I try to fight the grin; Liam sounds like he may like me less than he did at the beginning of this conversation. And did this guy just low key threaten me? I may have just found my new best friend. “Indeed, Mr. Callahan, we understand each other just fine. I'll be in touch if I need anything from you, and please let me know if I can return the favor.” I give up the fight and allow the smile to spread across my face.
“Good. I’m closely monitoring this situation and will be in touch, Agent Bennett. Just don’t fucking touch my sister, and wipe that damn grin off your face.” Liam disconnects the call. He didn't forget to say goodbye. He's just that type of guy, and I can respect it. It doesn’t mean I’m going to honor his request of not touching his sister. To be fair, he hung up before I could say anything in response to his demand. I lift a wave in goodbye, just in case he does have eyes on me somehow. I walk back into the house through the patio doors to find Vivian sitting at the kitchen island with her sister next to her.
