“As far as I can tell,” Emily said, walking out of her room. “My laptop and my cell phone are all that’s missing.”
“Both electronic devices,” Robert said. “The gunmen probably thought your brother forwarded whatever was on that jump drive to you. And they took your phone and computer in case there was evidence on them.”
“But there wasn’t anything, as far as I know.”
Detective McIntyre pulled his phone from his pocket. “Until we identify and arrest the second gunman and have the jump drive in hand, you’re in danger. I’ll arrange to have you taken to a safe house.”
Emily shot Jake a look of panic.
Jake took a step toward Emily. “That won’t be necessary. She’ll be returning to the ranch with us.” He looked to Robert for backup.
“That’s right. We’ve got an armed guard posted at the ranch around the clock.” It wasn’t entirely true, but it would be now they knew the full extent of the danger Emily was in. “We’ve kept her safe for the past week. We’ll continue to do so until we catch whoever is after her.”
The detective glanced at Emily with eyebrows raised.
“I’m sure I’ll be perfectly safe at the ranch.”
McIntyre shrugged. “I hope my captain doesn’t give me grief over it. With the accident occurring in your jurisdiction, dumping the girl, er... Dr. Anderson, there I guess that makes her your responsibility.”
“I’ll talk to your captain,” Robert said.
As they prepared to leave, Jake asked Emily if she wanted to pack some clothing. Emily nodded and shuffled to her bedroom. Jake absently listened to Robert and Detective McIntyre discuss the case as he paced her front room.
McIntyre informed them Cameron’s vehicle had been located at the park half a block away. Evidently, he’d tried not to lead whoever was after him to his sister.
Jake’s eyes went to Emily’s open bedroom door for the dozenth time.Should I check on her?
No. She needed some space and privacy. With nothing else to do, he continued to pace.
When she finally came out of the bedroom with fresh tears glistening on her cheeks, she carried one small bag. “I don’t have many clothes that will fit over my casts, so I guess I’m stuck with these dresses.” Her voice was quiet, frail.
Jake stepped in front of her, cupped her face, and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. “You look beautiful in dresses.” He lifted the bag from her hands. “Is there anything else you’d like to take with you?”
Emily looked around. She collected the contents of her purse, strewn across the table, then walked over to a bookshelf. She tapped a large book on the bottom shelf with the end of a crutch. “Would you mind grabbing that scrapbook, please?”
Jake retrieved the book, and they headed to the door. When they reached the steps outside, Jake handed the bag and book to Robert so he could carry Emily down the steps.
Emily protested with a scowl, a weak one at that.
Jake climbed into the truck after helping Emily in, but before he could start the engine, Emily asked in a quiet voice, “Did Robert know? That Cameron was killed in my home? Did you know?”
Jake’s gut twisted. He didn’t want to lie, but he also didn’t want to cause her more pain.Will she feel betrayed that we didn’t tell her?
“I’m sorry, Emily. We weren’t sure if we should tell you. We were afraid if you knew, it might hinder your ability to remember.”
Emily dropped her eyes to her lap. “You were right not to tell me. If I had known, I probably would have repressed the memories.” Then she pressed her hand to her eyes. “I wish I could have gotten my full memory back without having to see what happened to him.”
Jake squeezed her shoulder. “I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through.”
She patted his hand. “Thank you for being here for me.” She pulled his hand from her shoulder and lightly touched his scabbed and bruised knuckles. “Why did you punch a wall, Jake?”
Jake’s first instinct was to pull away, but he liked her gentle touch, so he left his hand in hers. “I was mad, sad, angry, whatever you want to call it, when I found out your brother was dead.”
“You were upset for my sake? So, itwasbecause of me...”
“But it wasn’t—”
“It wasn’t because of our kiss.” She looked at him and new tears filled her eyes. “Don’t ever think being tender-hearted is a bad thing, Jake. Your compassion is my lifeline right now.”
