“It’s the police.”
He nodded, hearing the exhaustion in her voice. “Stay here. I’l let them in.”
She plopped down onto the chair. “It’s going to be a real y long night.”
Unable to help himself, Wade closed the distance between them. Leaning down, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “A few hours, and then you’l be back in my bed, snuggled under the covers and driving me to distraction.”
She smiled. “Thank you for being here. For making me feel safe and for . . . everything.”
He winked. “There’s more of that everything to come, sweetheart.”
16
Gracie heard voices coming from the other room. She took a deep breath and left the kitchen. God, the sight of al her things destroyed tore a hole in her heart al over again. She looked toward the front door where two uniformed police officers stood talking to Wade. It had taken them long enough to arrive. The police station wasn’t that far away. Clearly, the local law enforcement wasn’t al it was cracked up to be. When one of the officers noticed her, they al turned and stared. She wrapped her arms around herself and tried on a smile. It fel flat. In a few strides, Wade was across the room. He pul ed her into his strong arms, comforting her. Once again she found herself wishing the world would just go away. It would be so nice to live the rest of her days in Wade’s protective embrace. Pushing against Wade’s broad chest, Gracie forced herself to deal with reality. The sooner she got this over with, the sooner she could begin the arduous task of sifting through her ruined belongings.
She walked over to the two officers and gave one of them her hand in greeting. She spoke to the two in a calm voice, or she hoped it sounded calm. “Gracie Baron, thanks for coming.”
“Ms. Baron. I’m Officer Andrews, and this is my partner Officer Delaney. We’d like to ask you a few questions about the break-in.”
As Officer Andrews spoke, Gracie heard a hint of a Southern accent. He was older than his partner; his salt-and-pepper hair matched a mustache that needed to be trimmed in a bad way. His tal muscular build seemed in total contrast with his smooth, gentle voice.
“Of course. We should go into the kitchen. The furniture in here is pretty much ruined.” She showed them to the back of the apartment and waited as they both took a seat. “Would anyone like something to drink? I could make a pot of coffee.”
“No, thank you, Ms. Baron,” Officer Delaney said. He gestured to the chair across from him. “Please, have a seat, and we’l get started.”
There was something in the tone of his voice and the way he looked at her. He wasn’t nearly as friendly as his partner. In fact, she’d say he was even a little hostile. And where was Detective Henderson?
Wade waited for her to sit, before taking the chair next to her.
“Didn’t you say you cal ed Detective Henderson?”
He reached over and took her hand. “Yeah, but I got voice mail. I’m sure he’l cal us soon.”
Wade’s attention turned to Officer Delaney. “Gracie’s been dealing with a stalker for the past two months. At first it was just e-mails. It escalated to phone cal s shortly after. Hang ups, never a voice. The other night Gracie was run off the road. You can see the bruises and the broken wrist. Tonight this.”
“How do you know al these incidences are related? The break-in could be completely random.”
Wade’s expression hardened. “Did the living room look like the work of a random B and E? Her things are destroyed. That’s rage, not someone looking for quick cash. Never mind the fact that he or she left the television and stereo.” Wade pointed to the flower and the card.
“Then there’s that.”
Officer Andrews pul ed out a pen and used it to drag the card across the table. He frowned, then his gaze landed on Gracie. “This has been going on for two months? Did you report it to the police?”
“I’ve filed reports, twice. Detective Henderson has been looking into the hit-and-run.” A knock on the door interrupted whatever Officer Andrews was about to say. Gracie started to stand, but Wade was quicker. “Stay put.” She nodded and glanced across the table to the two officers. They both stood with Wade, and the three of them went out to the living room. A few minutes later Detective Henderson appeared, Wade and the officers behind him.
“Detective.”
“Ms. Baron. I would say it’s nice to see you again, but . . .”
She smiled despite the seriousness of the situation. “Thank you for coming.”
Wade crossed his arms over his chest, his feet braced apart as he looked at the detective. “I’m sure you’re aware of just how terrifying this has been for Ms. Baron. It’s not bad enough this guy put her in the hospital, but now he’s been in her home.”
“And from the looks of things he was in quite a state when he was here. You weren’t home, I take it?”
Her cheeks heated when she admitted, “No, I was with Wade.”
He nodded. “Damn good thing you were, if you ask me. Under the circumstances, you’ve sure handled this wel . A lot of women wouldn’t be so calm.”