“And if he’s not the one? If it’s someone else?”
“Then I find them too.” He held her gaze. “I meant what I said last night. I’m going to catch whoever’s doing this. I promise.”
Don’t make promises you can’t keep,Nora wanted to say. But the certainty in his voice, the determination in his eyes? She believed him.
For the first time in weeks, she felt a flicker of hope.
***
Carson walked her back to the hotel after breakfast, his hand hovering near the small of her back without quite touching. Protective. Watchful.
“Stay inside today,” he said when they reached her door. “Order room service if you get hungry. Don’t answer the door unless you know it’s me. I’ll call before I come by.”
“How long do I have to hide here?”
“As long as it takes.” His expression softened slightly. “I know it’s hard. But you’re safe here. That’s what matters.”
Nora nodded, fishing her key card from her purse. “Will you tell me? When you talk to Eugene? What he says?”
“I’ll keep you updated. I promise.”
There was that word again. Promise. Like he was binding himself to her with something stronger than professional obligation.
“Carson—” She stopped, not sure what she wanted to say.Thank youseemed insufficient.I trust youseemed too revealing.I’m scaredseemed too vulnerable.
“Yeah?”
“Be careful. If Eugene is dangerous—”
“I’ve been doing this a long time.” But his expression shifted, something warm flickering in his eyes. “But I appreciate the concern.”
He left, and Nora locked herself in the hotel room, engaging the deadbolt and chain like he’d instructed.
Then she stood in the middle of the room, feeling the walls close in.
This was what safety felt like now. Four walls and a locked door and isolation. No work. No friends. No normal life.
Just waiting for someone to catch the person who’d stolen her sense of security.
Nora pulled out her laptop and tried to work, reviewing audit files she’d downloaded before leaving her apartment. But she couldn’t focus. Kept checking her phone. Kept listening for sounds in the hallway.
Around noon, Lila called again.
“Where are you?” her friend demanded without preamble. “You didn’t show up for work. Patriciacalled me asking if you were sick. What’s going on?”
“I’m fine. I just needed a day off.”
“Nora.” Lila’s voice dropped, concerned. “This is about the stalking thing, isn’t it? Did something happen?”
Yes. Everything happened. Someone broke into my apartment and knows what I wear and is watching me and I’m hiding in a hotel and the only person who believes me is a detective who makes me feel things I shouldn’t feel.
“I’m just being cautious,” Nora said instead. “Taking some time to figure things out.”
“You’re scaring me. Where are you?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
Silence. Then, “Can’t or won’t?”
