“I’ll be okay.” Gabe called Sherlock to him. “While Caleb’s taking your mom to the airport, I’ll show you where he keeps his satellite phone and how to use it. If you need to call anyone, that’s your safest bet.”
Natalie slipped the whistle into her pocket. “Thank you.”
“I hope you never have to use it, but if you do, we’ll do our best to find you.”
She followed Gabe inside. For all her adult life, she’d never relied on anyone. She was smart, independent, and able to look after herself. Accepting help was as foreign to her as eating fried grasshoppers. But relying on Gabe and Caleb was the only thing that would get her through the next few days. Or maybe weeks. And for some reason, instead of feeling trapped and powerless, it gave her more strength than she’d felt in a long time.
* * *
Three days later,Gabe saved the scene he was writing and rubbed his eyes. Caleb’s home was growing on him. With its sprawling downstairs living area, there was more than enough room for everyone to live together and not trip over each other’s feet.
“There you are.” Natalie stood in the doorway, her gaze skimming across the changes he’d made to the formal dining room. “This looks good.”
“It’s only minor changes, but it makes a difference.” With Caleb’s help, he’d attached his storyboard to one wall and pushed the table underneath. A bookcase had been converted into temporary shelves. Multicolored folders held his research notes, photos, and other information that went into making his stories as authentic as possible.
The most important addition was an old blue blanket. Each day, Sherlock curled himself into a ball and happily snoozed while Gabe wrote.
“You were up late last night.”
Gabe shrugged. “The story was flowing, so I thought I might as well keep going. Are you happy with the progress you’re making on your painting?”
A slow smiled worked its way across Natalie’s face. “I don’t know whether it’s the fresh mountain air or having a bigger work area, but I’m farther along than I thought I’d be.”
“That’s good.” Gabe glanced at his work buddy. Sherlock was awake. His nose was still pressed to his paws, but his big brown eyes were looking at Natalie with the adoration of a dog who knew who gave him the most treats.
Natalie knelt on the floor. “Hi, boy. Do you want to go for a walk?”
Sherlock’s ears twitched and his jaw opened into a gigantic yawn. Within seconds he was on his feet, stretching his front paws in front of him like a yoga master.
“Is Caleb going with you?” Gabe asked. Natalie knew how isolated they were. There was no way he’d let her go anywhere on her own.
She nodded. “I’ve been painting for the last four hours and Caleb has been busy in his office. He thought a walk would clear our heads.”
Gabe looked at his storyboard. The next scene would take a long time to write. If he didn’t have a break now, he’d still be here at dinner time. “Do you want some more company?”
“Sure. I’ll pack another bottle of water and a muffin. We’ll meet you at the front door in a few minutes.”
While Sherlock happily trotted after Natalie, Gabe closed the folders on his desk. He absently rubbed his leg as he walked upstairs to find his hiking boots. He should set the alarm on his watch for when he needed to move. Sitting at his makeshift desk for so long was asking for trouble.
When he stepped onto the landing, Caleb was about to go downstairs. “I’m coming with you. I just need to change my shoes.”
“Something’s come up. You need to see the email Fletcher Security sent me.”
Gabe’s whole body tensed. “What does it say?”
“They know the stalker’s name.”
They quickly moved downstairs. Instead of feeling overwhelmed with relief, Gabe was stunned at how long it had taken to get this far.
“Fletcher Security have contacted the police. I wouldn’t be surprised if the detectives involved in your case contact us within the next few hours.”
“Does anyone know where the stalker lives?”
“Not yet, but Fletcher Security are working on it.” Caleb strode into the living room.
As Gabe passed the kitchen, Natalie walked into the entranceway. She looked at him and frowned. “What’s happened?”
“Fletcher Security has identified the stalker.”
