Bill arrived on the scene within minutes. It was as though he had been waiting for a call like this. Maybe he had, Mason thought, and he should have been careful what he wished for.
They were gathered around the living room; Mason, Bill, Kylie, and her new mother. There wasn’t a single smile in the entire room, and Mason wasn’t surprised. They’d just had another brush with the Lullaby Killer, and things weren’t getting any easier.
“Bill’s going to organize some police protection,” he told the ladies. “They’ll be watching you day and night in shifts, but you’ll never know they are here unless something happens. They’ll be parked right across the street and won’t bother you.”
“They’re welcome to use the bathroom if they need to,” Mrs. Stanford said.
“What if we need to go somewhere?” Kylie asked. “I have an education to worry about.”
“That’s fine,” Mason explained. “They’ll tail you wherever you go, but don’t be afraid to communicate with them. Let them know if you plan to take a trip out of the house, even if you feel like your privacy is threatened.”
The room grew uncomfortably quiet. Mason glanced at Bill, who shrugged, and then they all stayed quiet with the lurking knowledge that somebody could easily get hurt over the next few days. It was up to Bill to arrange protection, Mason to instill confidence, and the ladies to watch their own backs as much as possible.
“Can I talk to you a minute?” Kylie asked. She didn’t wait for a response, quickly taking Mason by the arm and leading him out to the hallway, where she lowered her voice. “Between you and me, do you really think we’re safe? I don’t want Maggie to worry.”
Mason bit his lip. “I wouldn’t like to say. But the protection is necessary, even if just as a precaution. Does it bother you?”
“I like knowing we’re protected.”
“You’ll be fine. Is there a gun in the house?”
“No, but I’m a lethal weapon.”
Mason crooked an eyebrow. “What?”
“I’ve been taking jiujitsu ever since that day. Three sessions a week, no exceptions.” Kylie raised her fists, faking a smile and landing a soft punch on his hard chest. There was no doubt she was just trying to lighten the mood. “It doesn’t mean I’m not scared in a real fight, but at least I know I could defend myself if push came to shove.”
“Well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to shove.”
“Here’s hoping.”
They left Kylie and her mother as soon as the patrol car arrived. The officers parked across the street, and Mason slipped them a few dollar bills as a soft bribe to make sure they didn’t let their guards down. After failing Amy, it would destroy him to let any harm come to Kylie now. If it took a pinch of paper money to make sure that didn’t happen, so be it.
It was the least he could do.