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“Definitely.”

I kissed her again.

For a few minutes, we weren’t standing beneath the shadow of Blackwater.

We were just Ben and Calle.

A man falling in love with a woman who noticed every part of him he’d spent years teaching the rest of the world to overlook.

Eventually, she rested her cheek against my chest.

“What happens if the silver-haired man comes after the film?”

“He won’t get near you.”

“That sounded like a protector speaking.”

“It was.”

“What would the investigator say?”

“That you should stay inside the secured perimeter and immediately report anything unusual.”

“What does Ben say?”

“The same thing.”

She leaned back.

“That may be the first sensible answer you’ve given me.”

“I’m improving.”

My phone vibrated.

I considered ignoring it.

Calle felt the movement against my chest.

“You should answer.”

The message came from Ward.

HARPER NEEDS US AT THE HOUSE.

I slipped the phone into my pocket.

“Lieutenant Harper wants us.”

Calle started walking before I could take her hand.

I caught up beside her.

“What do you think happened?” she asked.

“I don’t know.”

The officers had moved toward the patio when we returned. Lieutenant Harper stood beside the table with Ward and Commander Keating on speakerphone.