“Yeah, I have to. The casts aren’t hardened yet, so I’ll check them tomorrow morning.”
“Will the snow bother them?”
“I have paper covering them, held down by heavy rocks. I just hope they don’t come back and mess with them.”
“I never thought of that.”
“I could bring one of the dogs over after work. Either one would let you know if someone is out there.”
“I’d appreciate that. I guess I’ll see you later then.” She grinned.
Rawley shook his head. “Yep, evil. I’ll bring one of them here.”
He strode toward her, kissed her lips, then walked out and got into his truck. All he needed was for Dave to find out about this and he’d lose his job.
“Who the hell would tell him?” he murmured.
He sighed as he started the truck and backed out of the driveway. He just hoped the men didn’t come back and disturb the casts.
As he drove back to town, he kept his eyes on the road, not because of snow but because he wanted to make sure those men weren’t out in this. He wouldn’t put it past them. If they were out here today, the weather obviously wouldn’t slow them down.
He arrived back at the office, parked, quickly made his way inside, ran up the steps to his floor, and entered the department. He removed his coat as he walked, then hung it up, along with his hat.
“Rawley? Did you see anything?” Dave asked.
Rawley sighed. He knew he had to tell him about the prints. He looked at him.
“Can we talk?”
“Sure, come to my office.”
Rawley followed him to his office, took a seat on the couch and sighed.
“Remember how I told you about the woman I’m seeing? Those men bothering her?”
“I’m older than you, but not senile. Of course, I remember.”
“Well, while I was out looking, she called me and told me she thought she heard something and thought she saw a shadow. I drove there and found shoeprints. I made casts but they’re not ready. When I leave this evening, I’m going to take one of my dogs to her place. I know the dog would let her know someone was out there. I don’t trust that they might go back and mess with the casts.”
“Good idea. I’m glad you got more prints. I hope they hold up. You know how casting is in the cold and cold is an understatement for today.” Dave shook his head. “It doesn’t sound like anything keeps them from scaring her.”
“Yeah. She’s going to go to her cabin in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.”
“Will she be back?”
“She said she would. She can’t concentrate on her writing.” Rawley shrugged.
Dave smirked. “It looks to me that you’d rather she didn’t go.”
Rawley shook his head. “I don’t, but I do understand.”
“I get that, but as long as she’s here, it could cause problems.”
“I agree. She doesn’t need the pressure.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t ask her to stay with you, or you stay with her, or isn’t it that kind of relationship?”
“Damn, I should have.”
