Hudson thrashed about, exhaustion consuming his battered body. He tried to get into a comfortable position on the narrow bed but wasn’t successful. He wanted to go home and crawl into his own comfy bed, but the doctor wanted him kept overnight for observation. If all was well in the morning, they’d release him. He couldn’t get out of there quick enough. His sister had visited him earlier and given him an update on Matthew. Nothing new.
Hudson thought back on the events of the past few days. Their investigation into this drug ring was obviously getting closer and the team’s lives were at stake. If not, then why bomb his cruiser and destroy the only evidence they had of a drug smuggling ring? The journal was lost in the flames.
Why, God? Can’t You give us a clue as to where this ring originates?
His cell phone buzzed on the night table. Kaylin.
He sat upright. Why would she be calling this late? “Kaylin, what’s wrong?”
“Someone’s in my apartment,” she whispered.
He flung the covers off and jumped out of bed. Dizziness overwhelmed him, so he braced himself against the wall to let it pass. “Where are you?”
“Locked in the bathroom. My gun is in the other room. I’ve called 911. The officer stationed outside should be here any moment.”
Lord, protect her.
“Text me your address. I’ll be right there.”
“Be careful. They might be after you, too.” She clicked off.
He changed his clothes and called for a car as he ran out of the room and down the corridor.
The nurse at the station yelled. “Where do you think you’re headed, Mr. Steeves?”
“Emergency. I’ll be back.”
She frowned. “You shouldn’t leave.”
He ignored her and kept running. He had to protect the woman he’d grown to care about so quickly. The thought raced by him without him even noticing.
A few minutes later, he rushed out of the Uber in front of Kaylin’s apartment. Out of habit he reached for his sidearm, but it wasn’t there. How would he keep her safe?
The front door was propped open and he raced up the stairs to the second floor. He checked the numbers as he ran by.
289. The door was ajar, lock broken. He eased it open and almost tripped over something in the darkened room. The only glow came from the moonlight shining through the window.
A Windsor police officer was face-down on the floor.
Hudson knelt and felt for a pulse. Steady. Thank You, Lord.
A shadow skulked by the living room entrance.
Hudson straightened. Had the intruder done anything to Kaylin? He stood and forced himself to concentrate, tightening his fists for battle since he didn’t have his gun. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her. “Police! Stop!”
A man barreled through, knocking over a chair and an end table.
Hudson reached out to grab him, but the beefy figure shoved him out of the way. Hudson caught a glimpse of the man wearing night goggles.
Hudson turned on the lights and the room flooded with brightness.
The man yelled and removed his goggles. He fumbled for the door and swung it open, racing out into the hall.
Hudson returned to the downed officer and gently shook him.
The officer moaned and rubbed his head.
Hudson pulled out his credentials. “Constable Hudson Steeves. You okay?” He helped the man sit up.
The bald officer nodded.
“Can I borrow your radio?”
He pulled it off his shoulder and handed it to Hudson.
Hudson spoke into it, identifying himself. He explained the situation and asked for additional units to search for the suspect, giving them a brief description. Of what he saw of him anyway. “We also need an ambulance at the victim’s apartment. Your officer is injured.” He gave the necessary details and clicked off.
“Where’s Miss Poirier?” the officer asked. “The attacker knocked me out before I could get to her.”
Hudson ran to the bathroom. “Kaylin? Are you in there?”
He turned the doorknob. Locked. “Kaylin?”
The door swung open and she collapsed into his arms. “Thank God you’re here.”
A cat hissed and sprang out of the room.
Hudson held her tight. “I’ve got you. He’s gone.”
She exhaled, air whooshing through her teeth. “Did you see his face? Who was it?”
He shook his head. “He got away. We’ve called for backup. The assailant knocked out the officer.” He released her. “Are you okay?”
“It sounded like he was looking for something.” She hurried into the bedroom.
Overturned drawers lay on the floor with clothes strewn about the room. The covers were ripped off her bed and the table lamp knocked over.
“What was he searching for?” Kaylin took a step, but Hudson pulled her back.
“Wait. We need Ident down here to check for prints. Don’t touch anything.” He pulled out his cell phone and called Bianca, asking for the forensic unit.
Kaylin wandered into the living room.
He followed, not letting her out of his sight.
“I can’t believe he got through my locks.” Kaylin massaged her neck.
“Obviously, a professional. Did you notice anyone following you tonight after you left the hospital?”
“No one followed me home. But I saw a man in a ball cap watching me at the phone store, but then he left, so I thought it was my overactive imagination.”
“How tall?”
She chewed on her lower lip. “About six-four. Heavyset.”
“Sounds like the same guy. Anything else?”
“No.”
“Do you have a place where you can stay tonight? I don’t want you to be alone.” He wouldn’t take that chance again. Not when she’d been targeted. Definitely not on his watch. “Your dad’s?”
“No. I can call my friend, Diane. I used to live with her.”
“Good.” He walked to the window and turned. “I’ll see if—”
He stopped. An object on the foyer table caught his eye. “What’s that?”
A decapitated stuffed bear sat in the middle of the table, its head to the side, smothered in a red substance.
Blood?
Kaylin grabbed the table to steady herself. Who was this person and why had they targeted her? She glanced around the damaged living room. The couch was torn to pieces, her TV smashed and books knocked off their shelves. Fear kicked her in the stomach and her hands shook, but she would not buckle. She was stronger than that. Her pulse throbbed in her head. Whoever was doing this would pay. She’d see to it that they be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Hudson clicked off his call and stepped beside her.
“I want you to arrest whoever did this. It’s unacceptable.” She spaced her words slowly, gritting her teeth.
“Agreed. I’m just glad he didn’t get to you.”
She raised her eyebrow. “Why not force his way into the bathroom? He must have known I was there.”
Hudson stroked his five o’clock shadow. “Good question, but thank God he didn’t. Perhaps he only wanted to scare you.”
Sassme’s bright eyes glowed from under the living room chair. Kaylin pulled her out and snuggled the cat next to her cheek. “It doesn’t make any sense. He wouldn’t have known I was in the bathroom when he entered.”
“He probably figured you were in bed at this hour.”
She nodded. “Perhaps.”
He scratched the cat’s head. “I was worried when I got your call. You sounded frantic.”
She stood resolute, ready to take action. “I had a moment of weakness, but I’m okay now. I want to catch this guy.”
“I spoke to Bianca. She’s on her way with the team to do a full sweep of your apartment. However, I noticed the suspect wore gloves, so I doubt we’ll find any prints.”
She fingered the cat’s paw and then released her to the floor. “Probably not. I can’t imagine who did this.”
“Can you think of anyone who has a grudge against you?”
She rubbed her eyes. She needed sleep soon or she’d collapse. “No. It has to be related to this task force. The threatening texts started after it was formed.”
Another Windsor police officer knocked on the open door and entered. “Constable, we spotted a suspect running. He matched your description but he got away. He ducked into a nearby bar and blended in with the crowd. Must have slipped out the back.”
“Did you put a BOLO out on him?” Hudson asked.
“Yes, although we didn’t get the best look at him, so there’s not much to go on.” He turned to Kaylin. “He hurt you, miss?”
“No, I locked myself in the bathroom and waited for the police.” Some strong officer she turned out to be.
“You did the smart thing.” The officer’s radio crackled, announcing another call across the city. “You contact Forensics, Constable?”
“Yes, they should be here any moment.”
A knock sounded at the door and Bianca poked her head in. “Good evening.” She and the Forensics team walked in. Paramedics followed and attended to the injured officer.
“That was fast,” Hudson told Bianca.
“We were just finishing up at a nearby call. My shift is almost over. What happened here?”
Hudson recalled their encounter with the suspect as the other officer took Kaylin’s statement.
Two hours later, the officer left and said they’d contact her if anything came up. He promised to tell Hudson if they got a lead from the BOLO. Paramedics transported the injured officer to the hospital.
Bianca and the team finished their investigation, telling her it was okay to move around her apartment. The substance on the bear was nothing more than ketchup, but the intent was clear.
Kaylin was in danger.
She glanced at the mess. Did she really want to clean this up now? No. Instead, she called Diane and asked if she could stay with her tonight. Just until she could change the locks and get a better security system. Diane agreed to take her and Sassme in.
Kaylin put her cat into a carrying cage and collected some personal items and a clean uniform, along with her gun. Then she turned to Hudson. “Ready? I’ll take you back to the hospital.”
“I’ll get another officer to follow us and ensure we’re okay. He’ll then tag along to where you’re staying. I want you to be safe.” He played with one of her curls and his fingers grazed her cheeks.
At the contact, she felt herself flush. The spark between them was undeniable, and she wanted to lean in closer to his touch. Till she remembered the call from Rebecca on his cell phone. No, he was off-limits, and Kaylin wouldn’t open her heart again.
“I’ll be okay at Diane’s. She has a great alarm system.”
“I’m not taking any chances. Especially after tonight.” He called the Windsor police and made arrangements for an escort. “They’ll be here soon.”
The cruiser arrived ten minutes later. She grabbed her cat and her bag. “Let’s go.”
They left the building and Kaylin unlocked her Honda Civic and pulled out of the parking lot with their protection in tow. She eyed Hudson beside her.
He rested his head against the back of the seat and shut his eyes.
She touched his arm. “Your head still bad?”
“It’s throbbing again. Guess I need more painkillers. The nurse at the hospital is going to give me a lashing for leaving.”
“You shouldn’t have come.” She shouldn’t have called. It was her fault.
He turned his head and smiled. “Wouldn’t have it any other way. I needed to be sure you were okay.”
He grabbed her hand and squeezed.
Her face flushed again and she snapped her gaze back to the road. She couldn’t let him see the effect he had on her. Where was this coming from? She’d vowed to stay clear of men after Jake had broken her heart. She couldn’t let Hudson chip away at her armor.
And, of course, he was engaged.
“Tell me about Rebecca. Where did you meet?” She took a right at the intersection and glanced in the rearview mirror. The cruiser followed, but there were no signs of any other tails. They were safe. For now.
He grunted. “At a church picnic. Kind of ironic after how she treated me.”
“What do you mean? I thought you were engaged.” Was there hope for her?
Stop it, Kaylin. He’s off-limits.
“Not anymore. She lied. We broke up a year ago. I have no idea why she told you that.” He wrung his hands together and his eyes tightened. “She cheated on me with two men.”
Kaylin whistled. No wonder he’d had such a lousy attitude back when they’d first started working together on Jake’s case. What man would trust any woman after that? “She dated three men at once?”
“I know, right? Unbelievable.” He looked out the passenger-side window. “I was in love with her and she broke my heart. That’s hard to get over.”
Thoughts of Jake filled her mind. She’d fallen fast for him but then paid the ultimate price. Diane told her she needed to forgive him for the pain he’d caused, but she couldn’t do it. Even if he did claim he’d turned over a new leaf. Hardly. She’d believed him once and taken him back, only to find out he was dealing drugs. She’d vowed to help put him away. She couldn’t have another dealer on the streets. Not after what had happened to her brother.
“You don’t think people can change?” Not that she did, either, but he claimed to be a Christian. Surely he believed in redemption?
“Of course, but I don’t trust her. I will not let anyone in my heart who holds secrets. Never again.”
Kaylin’s breath hitched.
She had plenty of secrets and ones she vowed to keep to herself.
Kaylin arrived at Diane’s at midnight. She parked the car and waved to the officer across the street. She shook her head. This shouldn’t be happening. Who could be targeting her? She racked her brain for any past arrests she’d made at the CBSA, but no one stood out.
The front light illuminated the three-bedroom bungalow. The stars twinkled, and the muggy air had cleared. If it wasn’t so late, she would take a long walk. However, after what had transpired in the past couple of days, she didn’t feel safe even in this friendly neighborhood. Kaylin picked up her bag and Sassme’s carrier before bounding up the steps. She glanced around the yard to see if anyone else was in sight. Satisfied only the crickets lingered, she inserted her key into the lock. She’d lived here for quite a few years and it still felt like home base. Diane was her shelter through all her storms.
She stepped inside expecting silence, but Diane sat at the kitchen table, drinking tea.
“Hey, love.” She jumped up and embraced her.
The tiny woman’s hugs personified love. Her embrace felt like a haven.
“What are you doing up, Diane? You should be in bed.” Kaylin opened the cage and Sassme scurried into the next room.
“You gave me a fright and I had to see you. Are you okay?” Diane sat back down and took a sip.
Kaylin moved to the cupboard and pulled out a cup. She needed some tea to calm her frayed nerves. She turned the kettle on. “I’m fine. Now. It was a bit scary at first when I didn’t know if the suspect would bust down the bathroom door or not. Thankfully, the police and Hudson showed up when they did.”
“Hudson?”
“Constable Hudson Steeves.”
Diane’s eyes sparkled in the dim lighting. “Sounds interesting. What does he look like?”
She crossed her arms. “Now you sound like Hannah. I’ll admit he’s gorgeous, but nothing is going to happen between us. He’s a Christian and doesn’t like someone with secrets, and I can’t tell him my story.”
“Why, love? He’ll understand.”
Kaylin unwrapped a bag of chamomile tea, dropped it in her cup and added hot water. Hopefully it would calm her nerves so she could sleep. “I can’t take that chance. Besides, it’s none of his business.” She wrapped her hands around the warm mug, letting its heat quiet her. If only it would ease her troubled mind.
Diane tilted her head. “It would be good to have a handsome police officer in your court.”
“Stop.”
“You need to forgive and let God heal your broken heart. You’ve been through so much with your father and Jake.”
Kaylin drank her tea. The flowery flavor tingled her tongue and soothed her dry throat. “I don’t need another lecture on God. I’m tired and edgy.”
“I wish you could see His love for you.”
“Who could love a girl who’s lived her life wrapped in so many secrets? I’m not worthy.” Any hope she thought she had with Hudson was gone.
Diane clucked her tongue. “Your father ingrained that into your brain. His lies still reach you after all these years. I thought he’d changed.”
Was it true? Did she believe she wasn’t worthy of love? First her father and then Jake. No way could she open up to Hudson. Her frail heart couldn’t take it.
Or to a God she couldn’t see.
Kaylin remained silent. She didn’t want to talk about her father. Even though she was concerned for his safety.
Diane put her cup in the sink. “I’m heading to bed. Your room is ready.”
“Thanks. See you in the morning.”
Diane kissed the top of Kaylin’s head. “God loves you and so do I.”
“Love you, too.”
Diane blew her a kiss and left the room.
Kaylin finished her tea and took the cup to the sink. She breathed in the familiar vanilla scent of this three-bedroom bungalow she’d lived in years ago. She was home. Her shoulders relaxed.
Her cell phone chimed.
She grabbed it from her pocket and swiped the screen.
I saw u with Constable Steeves. Stay away from him.
U’re mine. XO.
How did they get her new number so quickly? Kaylin turned the GPS off on her phone and threw it on the counter, her muscles tensing. No way would she sleep tonight. She dashed to the window and pulled the drapes.
Was this person watching her right now?