Way of the Warrior (Troubleshooters #17.5)(80)

He quickly dressed and headed to the Mud Room, where Chase and a man in his mid-to late-twenties were talking about surveillance cameras.

Chase introduced him to Detective Adam Burns. “Burns has looked over everything and says we should have an iron-clad case when we catch Eye.”

Griff asked, “You’re that sure he’s going to come here?”

Burns nodded. “The guy’s obsessed with her, and he’s mad as hell that he can’t find her. He threatened her friend, for God’s sake. What a coward.”

Griff had nothing but respect for what Kristy was doing. But he didn’t much like putting her on display to get the sicko’s attention.

“And you’re sure she’ll be safe?” Griff asked. “Maybe I should go—”

“I don’t want any more civilians involved in this than there already are,” Burns cut in. “I assure you, she’ll be fine. I’m going to clear her apartment when she gets home. We’ll have a patrol car keeping an eye on her place, and I’ll be checking in on her. But the less commotion and strangers hanging around to pique attention the better.”

“I don’t like involving civvies either,” Chase said. “But I have to admit, we’ve had a few cases where they’ve proven invaluable. Kristy’s cooperation along with Griff’s property were perfect. And they aren’t going to be here when the show is publicized, so they’re perfectly safe. So, what made the police cut through the red tape and mobilize so fast?”

Burns gave him a sheepish smile. “If this blows wide open, there’s going to be a lot of publicity. The captain didn’t want a private firm getting all the credit while the Atlanta police were sitting on their thumbs waiting for approval.”

Griff swore he felt Kristy before he even heard her footsteps coming down the hall. He turned to see her carrying her duffel bag, her gaze on him. Damn, she looked sad. Didn’t she realize he was doing her a favor? She’d get tired of seeing his face every day, and then there were his nightmares, having to sleep with a night-light on…

“Good morning,” Kristy said as she joined the men. “Detective Burns,” she greeted with a nod. “Guess you’re here to take me home.”

“Yep. As soon as you’re safe and sound, Chase’s crew is going to release the first clips.”

She set down her bag and walked over to Griff. “Thank you for everything.” She placed her hands on either side of his face, her palms cool against his skin. “Remember what I said. I meant it.” She gave him a soft, sweet kiss, then stepped back and pressed a folded piece of paper in his hand.

Burns was watching, but he shifted his gaze when he saw Griff’s eyes on him. “Ready?”

She nodded, gave Griff one last bittersweet smile, and walked out. He felt a piece of his heart leave with her.

Chase clapped him softly on the arm. “Time for you to head out, too. Here’s a DVD of some of the footage.” He gave him a knowing smile as he handed him an envelope. “Trent wanted me to make sure you got it.”

Within ten minutes, Griff was in his truck heading to his cousin’s house in Tennessee. No sign of Burns’s unmarked car anywhere. Why was he even looking? They were headed in opposite directions. Which was true in more ways than one.

He glanced at the DVD in its soft plastic sleeve, and the note lying on top of it. She’d given him her phone number and address, and drawn a diagram of how he could go around to the back and sneak in like a thief. Because he was a coward, too.





CHAPTER 6


Kristy kept checking her phone, hoping he’d call. Every hour, holed up in her apartment, felt like a day. She tortured herself even further by watching the DVD Trent had given her as she’d walked to the car with Burns, whispering, “Chemistry,” in his singsong voice.

As she watched the footage, she could see what Trent saw. Yes, she and Griff had tons of it. She hadn’t smiled so much in two years, maybe longer than that. But mostly she loved seeing Griff’s smile. And the way he watched her when she hadn’t realized it. The way he hovered protectively as he guided her toward a hole in the muddy water.

As it turned out, she hadn’t needed the DVD. Chase had flooded the Internet with promos of the phony show, even getting it to trend on Twitter.

The sun had long ago set, which meant several hours had passed since she’d given Griff that note. She turned off the television with a sigh and headed into the kitchen to fix something for dinner, even though she wasn’t hungry. As she’d been doing all day, she glanced out the front window to see the patrol car parked across the street. Every now and then the officer inside would walk around the building.

When her phone rang, her heart shot into her throat. Griff! But the screen read Detective Burns’s number. True to his word, he’d checked in on her earlier in the day. And was apparently doing so again, though this time in a soft, low voice.

“Hello, Detective Burns,” she answered. “Everything’s fine.”

Though Burns wasn’t the detective originally assigned to her stalking case, he had requested to work with her and Chase because, as he’d admitted, he felt bad that the police hadn’t been able to help her.

“I’m glad to hear that, but I have a concern. I was just by to check in with my officer and saw a shadow around back. I don’t think it’s Eye, but I want to be sure. And while I’m at it, you know I had issues with that ledge outside your window. Even if it is wired. I’m going to try to climb up and make sure it’s secure.”