Page 22 of A Soldier's Temptation
“We should probably go downstairs and let them in,” John said as the elevator doors opened revealing Shadow Four with two police officers. “Who’s with the police?”
“My protection detail.”
“Your what?”
“Protection. He’s an FBI agent. He’s one of four men who are stuck following me around. I call them all Shadow because I don’t know their names. This is part of what I was going to tell you.”
“I see. I’m surprised they only have one on you at a time. There should have been someone guarding your place.”
“Nope, they only follow me.”
“Miss Nelson, please stay in the hallway while we clear the apartment,” Shadow Four said in his most authoritative voice. Shadow One and Two weren’t so bad, but Three and Four were totally over the top.
“The Crime Scene Unit is on the way. In the meantime, can you tell us what happened?”
“Of course, but it’s not much. We just got back from dinner…”
“We?”
“Yes, my friend and I were at dinner. That’s him talking to the FBI agent. His name is John Dillon, he’s in the Navy. If you need more information than that, he can give it to you.”
“Got it. How long were you and your boyfriend gone?”
“A couple of hours, but he’s not my boyfriend.”
“Yes, I am,” John said as he appeared at her side.
The policeman looked back and forth between them and shrugged. It was obvious he’d heard the argument before.
“Okay, so you were at dinner for a couple of hours and then came back when?”
“Just before I called, so whatever time the nine-one-one call came in. We’d just stepped off the elevator when John saw the door smashed in.”
“Did either of you see anyone?”
“No.”
“Did you go into the apartment?”
“I didn’t. I stayed out here with my dog to call you.”
“I went in to make sure no one was around, but I didn’t touch anything. I know how to deal with crime scenes.”
The officer nodded and kept making notes. Ari wanted to see her apartment. From John’s actions, it couldn’t be good. They probably wouldn’t let her stay there now. Where would she go? She had no idea which hotels allowed dogs. Damn, that made her think of Colin. She probably should have called him right after the police. Hopefully, Shadow Four took care of that.
Chapter 6
Abing sounded just before the elevator doors slid open. John pushed Ari behind him, and both officers drew their guns. All the commotion probably took about five years off of Mrs. Laramie’s life. Ari felt horrible for the elderly woman and was glad she didn’t need medical attention.
“What’s going on? Ari, John?”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Laramie. Someone broke into Ari’s apartment, so we are a little jumpy.”
“I’ll say,” the feisty octogenarian replied. “I almost peed my pants. Thank goodness for Depends.” It shouldn’t have been that funny, but Ari started giggling which turned into full-blown laughter. She tried to stop. She really did. Everyone probably thought she’d lost her mind, but Mrs. Laramie smiled and winked.
“Did you happen to see anyone hanging around that you didn’t recognize?” One of the officers asked as she headed down the hallway to her apartment.
“Actually, there were a few Asian gentlemen in the lobby earlier. They had a couple of boxes with them and I thought they were moving in.”
