“You think he hired someone?”
“Possibly. If he did, he found a professional who takes pleasure in terrifying his victims. Or it could be someone else entirely.”
“Ashley said she can’t think of anyone who’d want to hurt her.”
“It could be someone who’s never made contact.” She let the statement hang in the air. Our job would be a thousand times harder if the suspect were unidentified.
I glanced back at the mess. “Any thoughts on the black roses?”
“They symbolize death and mystery, so it feels like a threat. We should research crime reports that include black roses. We assumed Finn was responsible, but after this.” She glanced back at the mess. “We have to broaden our search.”
I nodded. “Thanks.” I looked through the arched entryway towards the living room. “Do me a favor? Type up your assessment and send it to me.” I wanted to review the details later with a fresh mind. “Keep me updated on what else you find. Please.”
“Of course. And Blaszek,” she waited for me to make eye contact, “you’re not in this alone, so whatever you need, just ask.”
“Thanks, Maxwell.” As a team guy, you wouldn’t think I’d need to be reminded, but you’d be wrong. My time with Hawken’s did more damage than I’d realized.
I was desperate to return to Ashley, but I had a job to do. “Sharpe, anything?” I asked Doug.
“Nothing in front but the back cameras went dark at two-seventeen.”
Fifteen minutes after we’d left.
“I scanned the streets before we left. I didn’t see anyone.”
“This isn’t on you,” he said.
“Isn’t it? It’s my job to protect them.”
“And you did. They’re both fine.” We turned our heads just in time to see Prince jump onto Gran’s lap. She flattened him like a pancake when she hugged him, praising him for hiding and staying safe while Ashley watched with new tears forming in her eyes.
“Can you replace the cameras?”
“I don’t have any with me, but as soon as we’re done here I’ll get new ones.”
“Thank you.”
A hand fell on my shoulder. “Blaszek, let us handle this. Go take care of your girl,” Jamie said.
My girl. Once again, I had to admit I liked how that sounded.
Glancing back at the mess on the floor, I vowed no one would ever touch a hair on Ashley’s head.
It hadn’t taken Jack long to figure out the substance on the floor wasn’t blood. I felt stupid for not realizing the smell was all wrong, but I’d been hyper-focused on making sure the black fur wasn’t Prince.
This is why we work in teams.
The police visit was shorter than expected. They photographed the crime scene, gathered the evidence, took our statements, and released the scene in what had to be record time.
“The Yorks hired us after a previous incident. This it part of our ongoing investigation. We’re also providing personal protection,” John said. “We’ll share intel if you do.”
The detective’s laugh was devoid of humor. “Do I have a choice?”
He did. He could withhold information, but things would go a hell of a lot smoother for everyone if we worked together.
The detective agreed, and they shook hands before Jamie walked his former brothers-in-blue out.
With Gran’s permission, we went through the house and secured all the windows with thick wooden dowel rods we’d found in the garage.
