“Have either of you experienced vandalism or any unusual incidents?”
They both shake their heads. In unison.
It is unsettling.
I glance at Meg. Her attention is fixed on the Earls, her expression unreadable. I am not the only one disturbed by the synchronicity.
“Bring her phone,” I say to Meg.
Movement brushes my leg. I look down to find the dogs have settled in. Raindrop is inching toward his mistress, determined. Dewdrop remains pressed against my side, content.
That tracks. He knows who rescued him.
Meg hands the phone to Coulson. “The password is two six four three five,” she says softly.
I run through the permutations. Understanding settles in.
Angel.
Chapter sixty-four
Remy
Christianna stirs, then stills when she realizes she is in a room full of people. I give her waist a supportive squeeze. She shifts just enough for me to tilt her upright so she can see everyone. She makes no move to leave my lap or Erik’s.
James offers her a small smile when he sees she is awake.
“Maestro,” she whispers, her fingers flexing gently in Raindrop’s fur.
“Call me James. We’re not at work,” he says. “This is my brother, David. He will be starting next month when we begin ballet auditions.”
She nods, managing a wan smile.
Her gaze moves to Coulson.
“Tianna, this is Coulson. He is handling the security investigation.”
Coulson inclines his head, then rises just enough to hand her a phone.
“I have a new phone with a new number for you,” he says. “It’s cloned, so if you don’t want me to see something, don’ttype it. Your email has been changed. It’s now on a secure server and not tied to your name. No one else should have the address. I didn’t think you’d want your old phone right now. Your personal photos have been transferred, and you are backed up to a secured cloud. All profiles on sites have been shut down and I have an image search running facial recognition if photos of either you or James are uploaded.”
She takes the phone, her grip steady.
“Thank you for thinking of it,” she says quietly. “I don't want the other phone back.”
He nods. “I noticed you have outdated security here. You have the guard shack and a good physical location, but I would prefer it be updated. I can send you recommendations if you would like.”
She studies him, weighing his words. I force myself to remain silent. This is her house. Her decision.
“May I think about it?” she asks. “I just moved in. I don't want to feel watched.”
He nods briskly. “Of course. I would not recommend interior cameras. Exterior coverage is the priority, especially along the walls. Sensors should be mounted high enough that the dogs won’t trigger them.”
“Rescues?” he adds, glancing at the dogs. “Mine is too. She looked a lot like that when we got her. What are their names?”
I start to answer, but a genuine smile breaks across Christianna’s face.
“I’ve only had them for a day,” she says. “This is Treble.” She reaches over Erik to caress Raindrop’s ears. “And this is Bass. My little notes.”
