Hour of Need (Scarlet Falls #1)(59)
“Give me a few minutes.” McNamara took the drawing and the verbal description with him to his office down the hall. “Let me make sure I have everything I need from him.”
“I can’t believe this is all happening,” Ellie said. “You know what this means, right? This guy is after the kids because they can identify him. They’re the only witnesses.”
She was right, and while the police were investigating the break-in and the attack on the kids, they didn’t know this guy had also threatened Ellie. Grant was tempted to come clean with McNamara, but he’d promised. And really, what could the cops do? They didn’t have the file. They had no idea who was behind all this, and all they had was the perpetrator’s description from the kids.
Their best bet was to keep looking for Lee’s notes and wait to see if the cops came up with any possible suspects from the composite drawing and kids’ descriptions. All Grant needed was a name to go on the offensive.
Chapter Twenty-Three
As soon as the kids and the cop were out of sight, Ellie’s legs collapsed. She couldn’t believe this was happening. She’d overprotected Julia since her birth, and she still hadn’t managed to keep her daughter safe.
Grant eased into the chair next to her. His face looked as tired as she felt. He covered her hand with his. As much as she didn’t want a relationship with him, at this point there was no denying that they were in this together. Although he likely wanted to tell Detective McNamara everything, Grant had kept his promise. He hadn’t told the police about her abduction.
“What are we going to do?” she said, staring down at their joined hands.
“I don’t know.” Grant scratched his jaw. Beard bristle scraped. The blond scruff gave him a new, dangerous edge.
She lowered her voice. “Thank you for sticking with me.” She didn’t know if the police had listening devices in the room, but she wasn’t taking any chances.
“I keep my word.” He squeezed her fingers. “Though we might want to rethink that decision as time goes by.”
She nodded. If they hadn’t found the file in another day or so, she’d have to tell the police everything. She couldn’t risk Hoodie Man showing up and finding her empty-handed. Maybe the kids could be placed in protective custody or something. She almost laughed out loud. As if a town the size of Scarlet Falls would have anything like protective custody, and she doubted Hoodie Man was a mafia kingpin worthy of FBI attention. Though Lindsay’s suicide had made the national evening news, it was a one-day event. The case was forgotten in the wake of other tragedies in the month that had passed since her death. The Hamilton case was a local disaster.
“I think you, Julia, and Nan should temporarily move in with us.” Grant stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. “I had a security system installed, and Hannah and I will be armed. Mac too, if I can talk him into staying for a few days. Plus, the dog barks if anyone even gets close to the house.”
As much as Ellie treasured her privacy, Grant offered her family protection she couldn’t provide alone. “OK.”
“That was fast.” He raised his brows, obviously surprised by her quick agreement.
“Safety in numbers and all that.” She wasn’t going to tell him that she felt more secure simply being with him. “I’m not sure how Julia will react.”
“What about your grandmother?” Grant asked.
“Oh, Nan will be fine with moving in with you.” More than fine, Ellie suspected.
“OK, then. I’ll text Hannah and let her know.” Grant picked up his phone. “There are extra bedrooms, but I’m not sure about sheets and pillows.”
“I have plenty at my house. We’ll work out the details.”
“Either Hannah or I will drive Julia and you to school and work tomorrow.”
“I’m calling in sick.” She had weeks of accumulated personal time. Roger would have to get along without her until this mess was over. “The file isn’t at the office. I looked everywhere. I even went through Frank’s computer files and saw nothing related to the case. I plan to spend tonight and tomorrow searching your brother’s house.”
“Good plan.” He nodded. “And you can tell me what you know about the case.”
“I’ll tell you everything,” she said.
“Everything about what?” Detective McNamara walked in.
Ellie exhaled. Grant made her forget they were sitting in the police station. “My daughter’s father.” The lie slipped out on impulse, and Ellie regretted it the moment the words left her lips. Now Grant was sure to ask her about Julia’s dad, a subject that embarrassed her fifteen years later. Nan was right. She needed to put her old news behind her. She’d already trusted Grant with her family. Her backstory hardly compared.
The cop’s gaze dropped to their hands on the table. Did he believe her? “I’m going to post a patrol car on your street overnight. I’m not sure how long I can do that, but the chief has approved it for tonight. We’ll address it again tomorrow. You had a security system installed?” he asked Grant.
“Yes.” Grant nodded. “It’s basic, but it covers all the doors and windows.”
“Better than nothing.” McNamara paced the tiny room. “We put out a BOLO, that’s a be on the lookout bulletin, for this guy. We’re pulling possible suspects from our records. I’ll come by as soon as I can to ask the kids to look at some mug shots.”