Page 22 of Twin Threats In Austin
“That’s not nec—”
“Would you make the same offer if the shoe was on the other foot?” he asked.
“Yes,” she admitted.
“Text me your address, okay?”
“I will,” she said. Having company would be better than going home alone. After ending the call, she immediately sent a message with her address. And then, she made the slow walk back to her bungalow.
Neighbors were standing around in a loose circle, still in their pajamas, talking and processing. Several had rifles or shotguns. This area had a lot of hunters, so it wasn’t surprising they’d raided their gun cases to come out with a weapon to defend themselves.
“It’s okay to go inside now,” Rochelle said to the small group. “Whoever it was ran away.”
“Was someone trying to rob you?” Bobby Joseph asked. The perp had been hiding in his front yard.
“The person was armed,” she said. “A tall man. So if you see anyone suspicious hanging around, call nine-one-one immediately. Okay?”
“Will do,” Bobby said, still looking stunned and a little confused about what had just gone down.Join the club.
Not once in all her years of law enforcement had a perp ever tracked her to her home. Having someone shoot at you in your front yard was unnerving.
“And lock up tonight,” she urged as she stood in her yard, waiting for every last one of them to go inside and close their doors behind them.
When the lawns were cleared of all people, she scanned the area once more before heading to unlock her front door. Nerves stopped her from going inside until she made certain no one was in there waiting. Habit had her locking every door and window, so she tested the front to make sure it was still locked before moving to the back to do the same. After walking a circle around her home and confirming no windows were broken, she slid the key into the lock and then opened the door.
One last glance to make sure no one had turned up in the last few minutes later, and she stepped inside, closed and locked the door behind her, and then leaned against the door. Back against it, she slid down until she sat on the wood floor.
Camden couldn’t getto Rochelle’s home fast enough. After safely navigating through late-night traffic, he arrived at the bungalow in her cul-de-sac. He cut the engine off and made a beeline to her front door, hitting the lock button halfway across the lawn.
Lifting a hand to knock, the door swung open.
“Hey,” a wide-eyed Rochelle said as she ushered him inside. “Don’t stand out there too long in case he’s watching.”
“Did you call it in?”
“Immediately,” she said. “I called my supervisor before I reached out to you.” Long lashes hooded the most incredible pair of eyes.
“Tell me everything that happened,” he said as she motioned toward the kitchen table. He glanced around, looking for any signs of a male presence. There were none. Her place had white couches with big throw pillows and glass tables with no prints. There were no obvious signs, like hunting or fishing magazines piled on top of the tables. There were no “couple” pictures that some folks liked to place around the room. Camden wouldn’t be caught dead with those around his place. He could remember what his significant other looked like without constant reminders everywhere. He definitely didn’t need pictures of himself around. No one needed to walk into his place and see mug shots of him everywhere. Or anywhere.
He listened as Rochelle broke down the events for him.
“What’s your initial thoughts on whether or not this is tied to our current case?” he asked when she was finished.
“That would be fast,” she said. “And why come after me?”
“To keep you from investigating,” he offered.
“Is that logical?”
He shook his head. “No. Not really. Someone might stop you from investigating but that leaves me to keep going with the work.”
“Do you think those shots were warnings?” she asked.
“I’m not sure,” he said, realizing they’d gotten as far as they were going to tonight. “Would you like to try to get some sleep?”
“I highly doubt I could,” she said.
“Even with me here?” he asked. “I’d stay awake.”
