“Okay, Mr. Lucas.” The detective turned his attention to Reid. “Tell me what happened.”
Quinn sagged in her chair, happy the spotlight was off her.
Reid sat up a little and cleared his throat. “It’s just as Quinn said except, when she kept me from following her, I had to go out the front. I found Joe leaned against the front wall with a stab wound to his abdomen.”
Quinn pinned her arms against her stomach and bent over a little, trying to ease the guilt that had formed. If she’d known how all this would play out, she never would have kept Reid from following. Then maybe, Joe would still be alive. She shivered.
“He told me the other guy had gone around the building,” Reid continued. “I followed. That’s when I met with him as he was trying to kidnap Quinn and JJ. That’s when I saw Joe coming from the other side. He stunned the guy so we could get away.”
Despite what she’d thought about Joe until today, his showing up and helping proved he did care about JJ. Even if it was just a little bit.
“We took their SUV when I heard the gunshots. Here’s the keys. You know how the rest of the story ends.”
And it did for Joe.
Detective Jacobs leaned forward and picked up the keys from the table. “How did you know Joe?”
“He was my mentor. Gave me a job, training, and helped me get my PI license.”
“You’re a PI. I’ll need your details. License number and credentialing.”
Quinn listened as Reid detailed the classes and training he’d done, along with his years working with Joe and eventually branching out.
The more she learned about him, the more her anxiety eased. He’d had an extensive background check and seemed highly sought after in his practice. While he gave a general overview of his case history, he did state that he took client confidentiality seriously and wouldn’t be giving specifics. He had integrity to back what she’d already learned about him.
Detective Jacobs turned back to her. “Ms. Matthews, we don’t have the manpower to station an officer outside your home, but we will increase patrols in your neighborhood.” The detective put his pen down, indicating he was done with his questions. “Is there anywhere else you could stay?”
A pit opened in her stomach. “No. It’s just me and JJ. We live in a duplex, and the only real friend I have is my landlady, who lives in the other half.” They were going to be alone.
“I’ll stay with them,” Reid blurted instantly.
Quinn eyed him warily. What was his game? They’d only just met.
“I mean, if that’s okay with her. Or she could stay with the neighbor, and I could stay in her duplex. That way, she’d be close to home but not there should these guys try again.” He looked from her to Detective Jacobs.
“That’s an idea.” The detective looked at Quinn.
“I’ll talk to Mrs. Stevenson about it,” Quinn said, not committing to the idea. She didn’t really have any other options, though.
“Good. Let’s get you back to the diner and your car,” Detective Jacobs said.
“I left my car at home. We only live a couple of blocks from the diner. I usually walk to work.”
“In that case, I’ll have an officer take you home.”
“My car is down the street from the diner. If your officer wanted to drop us off, I could give them a ride home,” Reid offered.
“We’ll drop you off and then take her home. It wouldn’t hurt to have the officer take a look around the house.” Detective Jacobs left the room.
She turned to Reid. “Thank you again for what you did at the diner.”
“You’re welcome. You don’t have to keep thanking me.” He smiled.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. She’d thank him until the day she died. He’d saved her son.
Detective Jacobs rejoined them, bringing JJ with him.
Ten minutes later, Quinn and JJ sat huddled in the back seat of the cruiser while Reid rode up front. She’d caught Reid stealing glances at them. JJ was leaning into her while she rubbed his arm. A mother’s comfort.
