“A threat won’t care if I’m sweaty or stinky.” Though Madi might.
I couldn’t think about her being close enough to smell me. My only concern was the potential threat.
Jamie laughed. “Just try not to scare off her patients.”
“Who else is working today? Do I need to escort them home too?” I asked.
“Alice, but Sammie said she’d come back at close and follow her home.”
“Are we providing protection?” I asked. I couldn’t imagine Alice earning someone’s hatred, but unstable minds didn’t follow logic.
“No, she doesn’t want it.”
I’d bet my paycheck Madi didn’t either. “Does Madi?”
“No, but I’m not taking any chances.” A flicker of fear crossed his eyes before he blinked it away. His family had been through hell recently, so I wasn’t surprised.
“She’s staying with Jack and Meg to help with Natalie, so she’ll be safe once she’s home.”
Like everyone at SSI who owned their home, Jack had a state-of-the-art security system installed by Doug, SSI’s tech guru and resident hacker. The Air Force vet didn’t mind asking for forgiveness rather than permission when it came to gathering information, and loved all things tech-related.
Jamie glanced at his watch. “I have to go. Call if anything happens.”
“Will do. I’m free for the weekend, so let me know if you need extra coverage.”
The clinic was closed on Sundays, but that didn’t mean Madi wouldn’t have plans.
Jamie nodded before heading down the stairs. As he walked past the black spot on the grass, he scanned the street again.
Like me, he’d parked on the street rather than in the small clinic parking lot.
He waved before getting into his black SUV.
I spent the next few hours standing outside the clinic. When I went inside to use the bathroom, Alice asked, “Would you like a coffee or water?”
“Thanks, Alice, a coffee sounds great.”
“How do you take it?”
“Black.”
Madi was with a patient, so I didn’t see her. On my way out, Alice carefully handed me a ceramic mug that threatened to spill over the rim with the slightest tremor.
“Thank you, Alice.” I lifted the mug under her watchful eyes and took a sip. “Mmm, just what the doctor ordered.” I lied. I wasn’t the pickiest coffee drinker, but I liked my coffee darker than dirty water. Though I appreciated her generosity.
She laughed at my joke, then turned serious. “Thank you for watching out for us.”
“You’re welcome.” I handed her my card. “I’m right outside if you need me.”
Wishing I had a large coffee from Grannie’s, I watered the lawn with the rest of the flavorless coffee.
WhatAlicedoesn’t know won’t hurt her.
At three-thirty, Alice walked the last patient out and invited me in while they closed up.
“Thank you, but I’ll wait out here for Officer Campbell.” I used Sammie’s official title.
“Suit yourself, dear.” She held her hand out for the empty coffee cup.
