"Keeping her alive is a bad idea?"
"You keeping her alive when you've been mooning over her for three months." He keeps his voice low. "I've watched you, man. Every morning run, you time it so you pass by when she's doing her surveys. You know her schedule better than your own."
"So I'm observant."
"So you're into her." Griff crosses his arms. "And now you're playing bodyguard while someone's actively trying to kill her. That's a recipe for complicated."
He's not wrong. Doesn't mean I'm backing down.
"I can handle complicated," I tell him.
"Can you handle it when she looks at you like you're just another man trying to control her life?" Griff's expression is serious now. "Because the way I hear it, that ex did a number on her, Holden. She's going to be watching for signs that you're like him."
"I'm nothing like him."
"I know that. You know that." He nods toward the apartment. "She doesn't know that yet. So tread carefully, yeah?"
My phone buzzes before there's time to respond. Commander Hartwell's name flashes on the screen.
"I need to take this," I tell Griff.
He nods and heads back inside while I answer. "Lange."
"Update on your protection detail." Hartwell's voice is all business. "Crime scene analysis came back. The explosive device was professionally constructed. Military-grade components, timer-triggered, placed with precision to maximize damage to the engine housing."
"Not something a civilian would have access to."
"Exactly." Papers rustle in the background. "We're running Bruce Tanner through every database we have. Seattle PD confirmed he was on administrative leave for an excessive force complaint, but the complaint was withdrawn."
My jaw tightens. "What kind of excessive force?"
"Domestic disturbance call. Tanner allegedly assaulted the male suspect after the situation was already contained." Hartwell pauses. "Witnesses say Tanner lost control. Beat the guy unconscious."
"Anger issues."
"Significant ones. And he's got the time and motivation to come after Dr. McKay." Another pause. "But Holden, the bomb concerns me. Tanner's a detective, not demolitions. Where would he get the expertise?"
Good question. Troubling answer. "Maybe he's not working alone."
"Or maybe he's not our only problem." Hartwell's tone sharpens. "Dr. McKay's research documented vulnerabilities in our coastal defense infrastructure. That information could be valuable to a lot of people who aren't ex-boyfriends."
The implication settles like lead in my stomach. Someone might want Fallon's research for reasons that have nothing to do with personal vendetta.
"I want eyes on Tanner," I tell Hartwell. "If he's in Virginia, I need to know."
"Already on it. Seattle PD is cooperating. If he leaves the state, we'll know within hours." She hesitates. "Holden, keep her close. And keep your head clear. I know you've been watching her for months."
Heat crawls up the back of my neck. "Is my personal life base gossip now?"
"When you stare at a woman like she's the only thing worth looking at during morning formations? Yes." Amusement threads through Hartwell's voice. "Just remember she's a person under threat, not a mission objective. The distinction matters."
"Understood."
"Good. Report in tomorrow with a security assessment of her living situation. I want to know every vulnerability." She disconnects.
I pocket my phone and return to the apartment. Griff is regaling Fallon with some story about a training exercise gone wrong, making her laugh. Actual laughter, soft and surprised, like she'd forgotten she could.
Griff catches my expression and raises an eyebrow. I shake my head slightly. Later.
