“She won’t like that,” Jack said.
“I don’t care,” I growled back. “This.” I kicked the box. “This was a test.”
AJ’s knowing smile irritated me, but I was glad he wasn’t arguing.
“Sum it up, Blaszek,” Jamie said. He was a cop before starting SSI with his father and brother. He’d have his own ideas, so it surprised me he’d asked for mine first.
“The flowers were delivered when Ashley wasn’t home. We,” eyebrows raised, so I corrected, “I responded by camping out in front of the house.”
“They delivered the box while Ashley was out, too,” Jack said.
“Exactly. Whoever left it knows we aren’t watching the house when Ashley’s not here.”
“We need coverage for Ashley and Gran,” Jamie said.
“She’s really not gonna to like that,” AJ repeated Jack’s sentiment.
“I really don’t fucking care,” I growled at him.
“Good. Because she’ll fight you every step of the way,” Jack said.
“Me?”
“Dude, don’t even pretend that you won’t be with Ashley twenty-four-seven from this point forward,” Jamie said.
He was right. I’d already planned to ask someone to stay while I ran home and grabbed some clothes and my gear.
“We’ll write up the official paperwork and have Gran and Ashley sign it.”
“Bill it to me,” I said, knowing they couldn’t afford SSI’s rates.
“We aren’t billing her. Ashley’s family. The paperwork is to cover our ass,” Jamie said.
“It also allows us to dig deeper into Finn,” Jack added. “I’ll start tonight, see what I can dig up.”
“Can someone stay while I run home?”
“I’ll stay. Gran loves me,” AJ said, earning a low growl. “Relax, dude, I’m happily engaged.”
Relaxing wouldn’t be on my to-do list anytime soon.
“Try to convince them to let Doug install cameras at the front and back doors,” Jamie said.
“Will do, boss man.” AJ saluted.
I went inside to talk to Ashley while the guys bagged up the box, paper, and rose. John would use his local contacts at the PD to have a chemical analysis run and check for prints, but I already knew they wouldn’t find any.
As soon as I walked in the door, a little black fur ball wound itself around my legs, almost tripping me. I squatted down and petted his head. “You must be Prince.”
“Look, Ashley, Prince adores Nathan,” Gran said from her seat at the table, her smile far too mischievous for my liking.
Chapter 23
Ashley
Ialmost gagged when Gran gushed over Prince plopping down and letting Nathan scratch his belly. She wasn’t even trying to be subtle with her matchmaking.
Nathan’s head snapped up when I said, “He’s an attention whore.” I clarified, “The cat, not you.”
