“That’s me.”
“I’m Chief Susan Nichols, Silver Ridge PD. And this is Officer Chad Bronski.” The other guy squinted at me as Nichols continued to speak in a monotone. “Just following up on a tip. Mind if we step inside?”
“A tip.” I leaned against the doorframe, trying to keep my posture relaxed though every hair on my body was standing on end. “What kind of tip? From who?”
“It was anonymous.”
Of course it was.
Footsteps pounded up the walkway. Piper appeared, out of breath, her skin flushed and hair falling out of its knot. “What’s going on?” she demanded, glancing between the cops and me. “Chief, what’re you doing here?”
Protectiveness surged through my veins, mixed with elation at just seeing Piper’s beautiful face. The whiplash was enough to make my head spin. Wanting to pull her close as much as I wished I could send her away.
I didn’t want her here for this.
But Chief Nichols had already turned to her. “Piper. I tried to call you, as a courtesy. Since you’re the property owner. Left a voicemail.”
“Well, I didn’t get it. I’ve been busy all day. What the heck is this?”
“Let me handle it,” I said softly.
Piper sent a quick glare my way. Bossy Piper was out in full force. But I was ready to stand firm, too. She didn’t need to be defending me.
Officer Bronski, the younger guy, puffed up his chest. “We got a tip. Drug activity going on at this property. Are you aware of your tenant’s criminal record, Ms. Carmichael?”
Piper aimed that withering glare at him next. “How is that your business?”
“Your tip is wrong.” I kept myself still, avoiding any sudden movements. Because Bronski hadn’t taken his hand from the butt of his gun.
“How about we sort all this out right now?” the police chief said. “Mr. O’Neal, if you have nothing to hide, then there’s no problem. Let us take a look around.”
“No.” My voice was exactly the same volume, the same tone as hers. But the chief braced like I’d shouted the word.
Nichols tried Piper next. “Do we have your consent to search the property as the owner?”
“No, I do not consent. You clearly don’t have a warrant or anykind of evidence to create actual probable cause. My brother was the chief of police before you, in case you forgot.”
“I didn’t forget,” the chief deadpanned.
“You should be investigating whoever made that anonymous tip. Because they’re just trying to make trouble for Grayden based on his past. It’s bullshit, and I bet you know it.”
The chief glanced down, seeming to absorb these words. But Officer Bronski was turning red in the face. “If Teller Landry was still chief of police, he would’ve been over here a lot sooner. Letting Mr. O’Neal know what is and isn’t acceptable in this town.” Bronski turned his sneer on me.
Wonderful. So this guy was yet another member of my fan club.
Chief Nichols’s eyes flashed in a brief show of emotion, and it was aimed at her employee. “Alright. Enough. Piper, Grayden, if either of you has any more information, then give me a call.”
She pulled a business card from a pocket. I accepted it without comment.
Chief Nichols and Officer Bronski walked back to their vehicle. We watched them pull away, neither of us moving until the SUV disappeared around the corner.
Then I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.
Piper pressed her hands to her face, taking a shaky inhale. “I think it was Danny. He must’ve called in the tip.”
“I think so too. But you should’ve let me handle it. It’s not your job to defend me.”
“Are youkidding? This is all because you defendedme, and now Danny’s here in Silver Ridge again today and he’s?—”
