Megan shook her head. “It’s only used for family.”
“No brothers or sisters staying there?” Micha asked.
“She’s an only child,” Reid answered for her.
Megan gave him an incredulous stare. Right. She didn’t think he would remember details about her family, but just because he bailed on her didn’t mean he didn’t remember everything.
He did.
“So no one in immediate danger, then,” Micha said, having to talk louder over the approaching siren. “But we’ll need to get your parents’ house secured.”
Reid nodded. “Once we’re safely inside, I’ll call the guy who changed Megan’s locks and have him change everything that needs to be changed.” He shifted to a more comfortable position.
A police cruiser careened into the lot. Micha holstered his weapon. Reid stowed his gun too. They were both licensed to carry, but the patrol officers who arrived on scene didn’t know that. The officers would draw their own weapons and force them to the ground. The last thing they needed was to be treated as criminals while the police sorted this out.
Reid stood and waved the officers toward him. Siren blaring and lights strobing into the fog, the vehicle screeched to a stop nearby. The headlights cut through the fog and glared at them.
“I’ll update the officer.” Squinting against the light, Micha wound his way through the cars to the patrol vehicle.
Ignoring Megan’s earlier warning not to touch her, Reid held out his hand to help her up. She clutched Boo-Boo to her chest and clasped his hand with chilled fingers. She stood and nearly collapsed, then hopped on one foot.
“What’s wrong?” Reid asked.
“My ankle.” She limped a few more steps as if testing it but ended by holding her foot in the air. “I think I twisted it.”
Reid slipped his arm around her back and put his hand under her elbow for support.
She set her foot down and winced. “It’s better.”
Why hadn’t he done a better job of protecting her? Sure it was only a sore ankle but it could’ve been so much worse. “We need to get you to a chair.”
“I’m fine.” She squirmed free from his hold and took a few steps, grimacing with each one.
“You’re not fine.” He gritted his teeth. “And you don’t have to pretend you are so I won’t touch you.”
She tilted her head. “What?”
“You made it clear in the car that you don’t want me touching you.” His tone bordered on anger. Surprising. Her earlier comment had hurt more than he thought.
“That’s not what this is about. I really can walk. It may hurt, but I’m fine.”
Was she really? Her expression was sincere, so he moved away.
“What about Bandit?” Megan asked. “I can hear him barking.”
“I’ll come back for him once I have you safely inside.”
A burly police officer approached them, with Micha following close behind. “Everyone okay here?”
Reid nodded and provided a firsthand account of the incident and the prior ones, as well. “Officer York responded to the hospital incident, and Detective Wilson handled the break-in at Ms. Cash’s house.”
“And you are?” the officer asked.
“A friend.” Reid hoped Megan wouldn’t correct him.
The officer gave a sharp nod. “I need you to evacuate the area until the bomb squad gives the all clear.”
“We’ll escort Ms. Cash inside. Her daughter’s in room 238.” Reid looked at Micha. “You lead.”
