Page 30 of Backdraft
He wasn't sure, but he thought he saw something lurking in the gray depths.
"I hear you've had a bit of trouble," he commented, hoping she would tell him what's going on.
Drea put her cup down. "It's probably nothing. But I had to report a slashed tire to the police since it was the company vehicle that was damaged. I don't understand some people."
"I agree. Has anything else happened?" Taylor felt protective toward her, and he wanted her to know he was here if she needed him.
She lifted a shoulder and gazed off to her vehicle, then she looked back at him. "A note or two."
"Note? What kind of note?" This alarmed him.
"It's dumb really. Just insensible words that I'm choosing not to take as a threat." She lifted her cup and took a sip, then startled almost spilling her drink when a car blasted its horn and tires screeched.
She was jumpy. So no, she was more concerned than she was letting on. He sat back in the chair. "Is that the right thing to do? Did you report them to the police?"
"Just the first note. Shannon intervened on that one. Not the second." She looked uncomfortable.
“You’ve had two notes? When did you get the second one?” This wasn’t good.
“It was in the mail at the office.” Drea looked into her cup, and didn’t make eye contact with him.
“Could you tell if it came internally or externally?
She met his gaze finally, and shook her head. “It just had my name on the envelope.” She paused a beat. “Do you think I should file a report?"
"Yes, actually, I do. You’ve had two notes, your truck was vandalized and that’s a lot in a short space of time. It seemed targeted to me. I don’t want to frighten you, but –
“Well you have,” she said in a low voice and then rushed the next words, “what I mean is, well … I filed a report.”
It was clear she was trying hard to be chill about the notes, but she wasn’t doing a very good job. She glanced around nervously, as if looking for something to happen.
Taylor reached across the table and rested his hand on hers. "Look, I'm here, okay. I'd be happy to come to the police station with you or sit by you when you call."
When she met his gaze, he saw the concern I in them and the urge to comfort her overwhelmed him.
"Thank you. It's strange that I’ve come to a new town, not knowing anyone here, and we’ve stumbled across each other." She smiled, effectively changing the subject. But he decided he wouldn’t let it go that easily. This could be a dangerous situation.
"I was thinking the same thing. Like it’s meant to be." He wanted to keep their conversation lighthearted under the current circumstances. "Look, we had a fantastic weekend together." He gave her a cheeky smile and was pleased when she laughed.
"Didn't we though? So I guess we're not really strangers."
"I hardly think so." He finished his coffee and allowed her to steer the conversation.
"Have you been in Oak Creek long?"
"I came about a year after Denver."
“During the pand –
“Yes.” He rushed the word. “There was a need here.”
She nodded and cast her eyes down. He felt bad at the way he snapped.
“And you? What brought you here,” he asked wanting to divert the topic of conversation.
She looked at him. "Shannon told me about the opening, and I felt like it was time for a change."
"Do you move around a lot?"
