“Probably not.” He gave her a quick smile to help ease her fears yet not make her relax enough to put herself in danger. “Keep the doors locked. Call me if anything seems odd. Okay?”
She nodded, and he climbed out of the SUV. To keep any neighbors who might be watching from calling the police, he double checked that his gun was concealed in his jacket pocket. It was out of sight yet easy to reach if needed.
He circled the home, checking windows and doors for any breach. He had to give Megan props for having a security system. Though systems weren’t foolproof and not a great help against a determined stalker, they did help deter random burglars.
He slipped through a gate to the backyard and made a visual search of the area. Well past prime growing season, he could still see the shape of a large garden that was groomed to perfection. He checked the patio door before returning to the front of the house and sweeping the street.
Satisfied nothing was out of the ordinary, he went to the SUV and opened Megan’s door. “We’re clear.”
She slipped out, holding Bandit’s leash.
Seeing her upset left him unsettled, and he wanted to distract her. “You have a beautiful house.”
“Thanks.” She gave a wobbly smile. “We love it here.”
“Seems like a great neighborhood for kids.”
“It is.” She glanced around, falling silent. She was worried.
He kept his eyes on the area. “Everything will be okay.”
“How can you say that?” She gaped at him. “We don’t have a clue where Fowler is.”
“We’ll find him.” His words rang hollow even to himself, so he kept quiet and headed up the walk.
At the door, she unlocked the deadbolt and silenced the security system in the entryway.
“Stay here until I clear the place,” he said to her and eyed Bandit. “Sit,” he commanded.
Thankfully the dog’s training made him comply, and he followed directions, peering at Reid with a cocked head.
Reid took out his handgun and entered the family room where a Charlie Brown kind of tree stood in the corner with half a string of lights placed on it and the other half dangling on the floor. Boxes of ornaments and silvery tinsel lay scattered on the floor as if they’d been interrupted in the middle of tree trimming. Maybe that’s when Megan had to rush Ella to the hospital.
Reid had done it a few times with Diane when her chemo got the best of her. Terrifying, awful moments when he feared he would lose her.
He shook off the thoughts and caught a whiff of the tree’s fresh pine scent. Among the chaos, he glimpsed warm contemporary furnishings mixed with toys and a child’s artwork. He went down the hall. Checked the three bedrooms and two baths, then returned to a state-of-the-art kitchen with dirty dishes in the sink. Maybe more evidence that they’d left in a hurry. He opened several closets and then returned to the entry.
“All clear,” he said.
Megan let out a rush of air and slipped off her jacket, damp with drizzle. “I didn’t really expect you to find anything, but I have to admit I was worried.” She hung her jacket on a hook by the door.
He followed suit, using the hook next to hers. “I’m sure I overreacted, but in my former line of work there is no such thing as being too careful.”
“I still can’t believe you left the FBI.”
“It was the only choice. Jessie needed me around more.”
She laid her hand on his forearm and gently squeezed. “I said this before, but I’m very sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how hard losing your wife must have been for you.”
Her voice cracked. She had to be visualizing losing Ella. He didn’t want her to go down that path.
“Now, where is that bear I’ve heard so much about?” He ended with a smile meant to push away her concerns.
She removed her hand, but her concern didn’t disappear. “I’ll get him. If we have time, I’d like to pack a bag too. When we headed to the ER yesterday we didn’t know Ella would be admitted, and I’d love some fresh clothes.”
“We have plenty of time.”
“What about your brother? Sounded like he needed to get back.”
