Susan Sleeman - High-Caliber Holiday

He seemed to be blaming her for this. Or was he mad at having to stay out all night? Regardless, she wouldn’t let the surly bear of a guy intimidate her. She’d state her case and keep to the point so she didn’t waste his time.

“Follow me.” She led the way to the kitchen. Rossi stomped behind her and Brady’s lighter footsteps sounded farther behind. She dreaded entering the kitchen with slivers of glass so representative of the shards of unease she felt, but she had to be strong.

She stepped in, picking her way through the glass, and turned to face Rossi, who stared at the rose and picture. Brady moved to the far side of the room and rested against the counter. She couldn’t get a read on his mood, but then he’d be going home in a little bit, so it didn’t much matter.

She focused on Rossi. “I’ve already told Deputy Owens that I don’t have a boyfriend and haven’t dated in the last few months.”

“This picture looks like a real announcement,” he said.

She stifled a sigh at having to tell her story again and quickly brought Rossi up to speed.

“Other than property management, my parents are the only people with a key,” she added. “I just talked to my mother. She confirmed the keys are in my dad’s desk drawer right where they keep them. They obviously wouldn’t do this, so this person got into my apartment another way.”

Rossi looked her straight in the eyes. “Are you suggesting a secret admirer, then?”

“It’s the only explanation. Unless of course, a plaintiff from the trial is trying a different way to scare me.”

“Doesn’t feel like that to me,” Brady spoke for the first time.

“I’d have to agree. More like a jilted lover or a boyfriend wannabe.” Rossi frowned. “Still, I can’t fully rule out a connection to the lawsuit. Shaw’s behind bars, but until now we had no reason to check his whereabouts before the shooting. I’ll investigate, and once you provide the other threats you’ve received, I’ll review them to see if there’s a connection.”

“I made copies so you can take them with you.”

Rossi gestured at the floor. “The glass?”

“I dropped it when I saw the picture.”

Rossi pulled out a small notepad and pen. “Tell me more about this engagement. You said the guy’s name is Preston Hunter, right?”

She nodded, and he jotted it down.

“I honestly don’t think he did this,” she continued. “He’s moved on and is already engaged.” Plus he’s a white rose kind of person , she thought but didn’t add.

“You’d be surprised what guys might do,” Rossi said. “I’ve seen it all. Tell me more about Preston.”

Rossi was barking up the wrong tree, but she’d answer his questions so they could get to how he was going to find this stalker. “He comes from a well-respected family. They own Orion Transport. Our family businesses work hand in hand so we go way back. In fact, I’ve known him since we were children. It was natural for us to start dating and get engaged.”

“Why’d you break up?” Brady asked, surprising her for a moment. She hadn’t realized that he was still standing there.

“We weren’t compatible.” She crossed her arms and hoped he’d leave it at that.

“How so?” His gaze remained fixed on her, direct and searching.

So much for hoping he’d let it go. “I’m more laid-back. He’s controlling.” The desire to explain her actions had her opening her mouth to continue, but then she clamped it closed. Neither Brady nor Rossi had a reason to know about Preston’s incessant need to plan her life and activities.

Both Rossi and Brady’s eyebrows rose.

“No, wait,” she said. “If you’re thinking there’s something sinister there, you’re wasting your time. I still see Preston on occasion when I visit my parents, and we are completely cordial. And, like I said, he has a new fiancée. Someone far more suited to him than I was.”

“And her name is?”

“Natasha something. Sorry, I don’t remember her last name.”

Rossi scribbled something in his notepad then shifted on his feet. “And you really haven’t dated anyone else since then?”

“No.”

Rossi tapped his pen against the paper. “No one. Not a single guy. Really?”

“Really.” She tightened her arms and tried to hold on to her temper.

“You’re an attractive woman, Morgan, so that’s hard to believe.” Rossi turned to Brady. “Isn’t that hard to believe, Owens?”

“Yes,” Brady said, his gaze fixed on her. “But then, I’ve seen how strong willed she is and if she set her mind against dating, I suspect she would succeed.”

Searching for a response, she looked at Brady. “You don’t have a ring on your finger. How many women have you dated in the last few months?”

“Darcie fixed me up a couple of times. I tried to get out of them, but she’s kind of pushy.” He frowned. “If not for her, I wouldn’t have gone on a date, either.”

Morgan switched her focus to Rossi. “Brady’s single and attractive. Does it surprise you that he hasn’t been dating?”

“Don’t know about how attractive he is,” he scowled. “But we’re not talking about Owens, here. He isn’t claiming someone left a surprise in his apartment.”

“Claiming?” The word shot out, ending Morgan’s plan to keep to the point. “You don’t believe me, do you? You think I staged this for some reason.”

“Honestly?” Rossi arched a brow as the charged air hung between them. “Your story rings false. I’m more inclined to believe you had a fight with a boyfriend, and now you want him to get in trouble so you call us with a bogus story.”

She planted her hands on her hips. “I did no such thing, and I certainly hope you’re planning to investigate my complaint.”

“Frankly,” he said flipping his notebook closed, “I’m not. There’s no proof of a break-in and our resources are stretched thin already...”

“Hold up,” Brady stepped in. “You can at least canvass the neighbors and dust for prints. Maybe talk to the management company.”

Rossi scowled at Brady, but Morgan smiled her thanks at him.

“That I can do, but you should know, every minute I spend on this takes time away from looking into the other threats that have been made against you.”

“That’s obviously a priority,” Brady said.

Rossi held up a hand. “Don’t worry. I understand and I’ll do my part. Just know that I have a lot on my plate right now. So I’ll grab my fingerprint kit and get started.” He stepped out of the kitchen.

Morgan sighed out her frustration. She caught sight of the rose again. Red and threatening against the white countertop. Like blood. Vivid and terrifying. A sharp jolt of fear stabbed through her. She looked at Brady, found his focus fixed on her.

“Are you going to leave now?” Her voice caught as she asked.

“I’ll stay until Rossi finishes up,” he replied.

“Thank you,” she whispered in relief.

She hated that she sounded weak. Hated feeling weak, but she hated the thought of being alone even more. For the first time since she’d moved into her apartment, she wondered why she’d ever been so desperate to be alone.

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