“Commander, it’s SAC Reeves. We have a development.”
Garrett sat up straighter. “What kind of development?”
“A potential suspect. We arrested him tonight in D.C. on unrelated charges—possession with intent to distribute. White male, late thirties, fits the profile. He lives in Agent Dawson’s apartment building. There are photos of her in his place.”
Garrett’s heart pounded. “Is it him?”
“Too early to tell. We’re bringing him in for questioning. Running his background, checking his movements against the timeline.” Reeves paused. “If it’s him, Agent Dawson can come home, but I haven’t shared this with her yet. I don’t want to get her hopes up until I have solid proof.”
Home. Away from here.Away from me.
That’s what Garrett should want—her safe. The threat eliminated.
But his chest was tight.
“Something feels off, though,” Reeves continued. “It’s too easy. This predator has been meticulous. He wouldn’t leave photos lying around where we could find them.”
“Could be a mistake. They make them.”
“Maybe.” But Reeves didn’t sound convinced. “Keep Agent Dawson secured. I’ll update you as soon as I can after the interview.”
The line went dead.
Garrett sat in the darkness, processing.
If it was the stalker, Claire left and went back to D.C. Back to her life.
If it wasn’t, she stayed in danger, but with him.
He should pray it was the stalker. Should want this over. But part of him—the part that was still Bobby, that had never stopped being Bobby—wanted her to stay.
What the hell is wrong with me?
His phone buzzed again. Text message.
Claire:Can’t sleep. You awake?
Garrett stared at the screen.
He shouldn’t respond. Should maintain professional distance. She was a protectee. He was her operator. Nothing more.
His thumb moved before his brain caught up.Yeah. What do you need?
Three dots. She was typing.
Garrett waited, torn between the kid who’d failed his sister and the man who’d learned to hunt monsters. Between Bobby’s promise and Wolf’s mission. Between keeping Claire safe and keeping her at a distance.
Her message came through:Tell me about being a SEAL.What was it like?
She wanted to understand him. To know who he was behind the callsign.
And that was the most dangerous thing of all.
CHAPTERFOUR
Claire stared at her phone screen, watching the three dots appear, disappear, then appear again.
She’d asked Wolf what it was like to be a SEAL. Simple question. The kind of small talk people made when they couldn’t sleep and were texting someone they barely knew but somehow felt comfortable reaching out to.
