After he’d bid Summer farewell this morning, a strange melancholy had settled over him as he’d walked the two blocks back to Nikki’s house.He knew it was the last time he’d ever see her, but he wasn’t sure why that bothered him so much.Mårten had feigned interest in their tour around the city not wanting to offend his friends, but a part his mind had refused to leave Summer’s apartment, and he’d found himself wondering how her clean up was going, and hoping her companions would stay, so she wouldn’t have to be on her own.Even throughout cooking dinner and his banter with Jacob over who was the better chef, it felt like a piece of him was being dragged down, and he had to remind himself to put a smile on his face.He was on holiday, enjoying a day with his friends, so he should relish every second.But now, here she was, standing in front of him.And he couldn’t control the way his chest expanded, as if something had loosened at the sight of her.
In the hallway, she bent over, hands on knees, as she fought to regain her breath.Fixing his gaze on the top of her head, he waited until she recovered enough to speak, a thrum of agitation setting his blood to thumping through his veins.“He came back,” Summer puffed finally.“The guy from last night—he was waiting for me on the landing when I got home.”Mårten didn’t bother to ask if she was sure it was the same person.If she said it was him, he believed her.
Jacob strode into the hallway, his face full of concern, Nikki close behind him.
Mårten already had his cell out of his pocket.“Did you call the police?”he asked Summer.
“No, I ran straight here.”
“I’ll do it,” Jacob said.“You make sure she’s okay.”Jacob returned to the kitchen, his phone held to his ear, Nikki on his heels.
Mårten grabbed Summer’s shoulders, holding her face close to his so he could scrutinize her for the truth.“Are you hurt?”
“No.”She shook her head, and another tight knot released in his chest.
“Did he follow you?Does he know you’re here?”
“I don’t know.I don’t think so.”Summer shook her head again, her breath still coming in ragged pants, eyes wide as she stared up at him.“He fell and hurt himself as he was chasing me down the stairs.That was the only reason I got away.I doubt he could’ve run very far.”
“Jesus Christ,” Mårten swore loudly.He should’ve trusted his feeling that told him the guy would be back.Instead, he’d just left her there to fend for herself.Alone.He ought to have demanded she stay another night at Nikki’s house.He couldn’t help himself; he pulled her into a tight embrace.“Thank God you’re okay.If he’d hurt you…” he trailed off, leaving the words unsaid, resting his chin on the top of her head for two glorious seconds before he released her again.
“I’m fine,” she replied suddenly subdued.“This is not your fault, you know,” she added, as a strange mix of confusion, stubbornness, and something else—was it desire—flashed through her eyes.But she was wrong on that count; this was his fault.He was a cop; he should’ve known better.
“Wait.”Mårten’s mind swirled with scenarios as he stared at her.“So this man could still be in the area?”If he were, then Mårten was going to find him.Without waiting for a reply, he hunkered down to put on his shoes; it was Swedish tradition to always remove your footwear whenever you entered a house.“I’m not waiting for the cops.I’m going to see if I can locate him.”
“No!”Summer shouted, pulling him back by his sweater.The barely controlled fear he’d seen in her eyes earlier flared again, becoming full-blown terror.“You don’t understand.He’s dangerous.He wasn’t scared of me this time.He threatened me.I think he was planning to hurt me.”
All the more reason to get him, Mårten thought.
“It might be our only chance,” he declared, before gently levering her hands from his sweater and then sprinting out the front door just as Jacob returned to the hallway.He heard Jacob yell something unintelligible after him, but he was already barreling down the driveway.
Mårten was a fast runner when he put his mind to it.And he wanted to catch this guy.Otherwise, Summer might never be safe.How could he go back to Sweden not knowing when, or if, this guy would strike again?But when he made it to the front door of Summer’s building in less than five minutes, the street was deserted.Dusk was now settling over the city, dulling the sharp edges of the buildings and turning the sky a soft dove-gray.Mårten swore softly.Only a rookie would’ve believed the crook would still be in the vicinity.Nevertheless, he set out to make a thorough search of the area.
Jacob caught up to him five minutes later, as he was jogging back toward Summer’s apartment, but he needn’t have bothered.The felon was nowhere to be found; Mårten had checked all the alleyways and side streets.Perhaps the criminal had a car, and he’d escaped that way.Or perhaps he lived in this neighborhood and had just disappeared off the street through this front door to become invisible.Either way, he was long gone.
A police siren sounded, heralding their imminent arrival.Mårten made a mental note to ask them to check if there were any local CCTV cameras on the street.If the bastard lived nearby, he was determined to find him.
Jacob called Nikki and told her it was okay to bring Summer around.Then the four of them spent the next half an hour talking the police through what’d happened.It was a different unit from the two cops who’d attended last night, which was a shame, as they had to go through the entire story again.They wanted to see Summer’s apartment, and they wanted a second statement from her.After the officers left, Mårten didn’t even need to say the words; with one look from Nikki, Summer silently went and packed a bag.Mårten was grateful there would be no arguing this time.They all understood this wasn’t over.Then they escorted Summer the two blocks back to their house.Nikki and Summer leading the way, with the men forming a vanguard behind them.
“It’s unlike you to be so… reckless,” Jacob said quietly as they walked, both of them keeping their gazes trained on the surrounding street, watching for trouble.Mårten swung his gaze to the two women striding out ahead, but they were deep in conversation and wouldn’t have heard Jacob.“That’s usually my job,” Jacob added with a smile.“This girl has you a little wound up, perhaps?”
Mårten grimaced, but didn’t bother replying.He couldn’t even explain to himself why he was acting so carelessly.He knew he was well out of his jurisdiction, had no authority here, and logic told him he needed to leave this to the local police.But they weren’t doing an acceptable enough job in Mårten’s eyes.And every cell in his body screamed that Summer needed his protection.So that was what he was going to give her.For tonight at least.
He softened as he continued to stare at his friend.Jacob had always been good at stating the obvious.His blunt manner had once complemented Mårten’s steadier style of policing.But he’d invariably been able to count on Jacob to have his back, no matter what.It was why he missed him so much now that they were no longer partners.“Thank you,” he said, nudging his friend in the shoulder.“For helping her.”Jacob might not be as invested in this case as Mårten seemed to be, but even he understood this woman needed their help.Once again, he had Mårten’s back.
They stalked the rest of the way to the house in silence, both men turning to check the street was empty before they followed the women through the front door.
“I’m sorry I ruined your lovely dinner,” Summer said, as they all filed into the kitchen, looking more than a little contrite.
“Don’t worry, I’ll reheat it.It’ll be fine,” Nikki said, touching Summer on the arm, before bustling around the room, pulling their covered plates out of the fridge and popping them into the microwave one by one.“Would you like some?”she asked.
“No, thank you.”Summer shook her head, making her dark hair swing in waves across her shoulders.“I had a late lunch with Trent, Mayte and Serena, and we ate until we nearly exploded.”She gave a weak smile, the first since she’d arrived on their doorstep.Mårten was gratified to hear her friends had turned up for her.If only they hadn’t left her alone afterward.But they weren’t to know.He was the one who should’ve insisted on looking after her.
“Sit down.I think we could all use a drink,” Jacob said, retrieving the bottle of white wine from the fridge and pouring everyone a glass.Mårten pulled out a chair for Summer, then took the one next to her.The police had already asked her this question, but Mårten’s cop brain lingered on it.
“Are you sure this guy didn’t give you any hints about why he’d come back?Even the slightest detail might offer us a clue.He kept his voice low, not wanting to upset her.
“No, I’ve told you before.”Her tone revealed only slight exasperation.“He was wearing the same clothing as last night.There was nothing distinctive about him.No tattoos, no rings on his fingers.He said nothing about what he wanted from me.His last words were,‘This time I’m going to get what I came for.’But I still have no idea what he wanted.”Summer’s hand shook, and she put her glass on the table.“If only I knew, Mårten.If only I could give you something to work with.”Her face was a picture of misery, and he almost wished he hadn’t asked her.But that wasn’t how he got things done.If they wanted to catch this guy, he needed every single detail, no matter how minor.
