“It’s something we can look into. We can ask Isaac if he knows anything in particular about the situation.” Fox made another note on his tablet. “Either way we will get to the bottom of it, and we’ll keep your Steff safe.”
Your Steff.
Jag liked the sound of that. If everyone didn’t know he was serious about Steff, kissing her in front of them all was a huge sign she was special to him. “Thanks. I know we will.”
“Are you going to continue to stay at her place? If what you said is true about how careful she is in keeping her address quiet, then somehow it’s gotten out.” Deal clicked his fingers. “You said something about her going to a therapist. She’d have to list her correct address for her records and for insurance purposes. There’s no way she could put her neighbor’s apartment number down instead.”
“You’re not suggesting her therapist is involved? She’s only just started going back to her.” Jag hoped the woman was ethical, but situations arose where ethics flew out the window, and other non-altruistic actions came into play.
“A parcel arriving at Steff’s place on the same day she went back to her could be entirely coincidental, but it’s something worth looking into,” Fox said.
“Agreed. I’ll fire off an email to Cass to get her to look into the woman,” Hound offered. “Do you know her details?”
“No, I don’t know anything about her or where she’s located. It’s not something that I wanted to ask Steff, not since everything is new between us.” Could her therapist really be involved? Jag didn’t like to think so, but everyone close to Steff needed to be looked into. “What about Cynthia? Should we look into her too?”
Even hinting that her friend could be involved left a sour taste in Jag’s mouth.
“I think we need to eliminate every person we can. After what the two of them shared, I don’t for one minute think Cynthia is involved.” Fox pursed his lips. “But yeah, we should check her out.”
Silence settled over the room, and Jag wished that things could be different, but they weren’t. As hard and unpalatable as it was, they would do what was necessary.
“You never did answer what you’re going to do, whether you’re going to stay at Steff’s place,” Deal broke the quiet.
“Probably.” Jag scraped a hand down his face, wishing it hadn’t come to this. “If I had my way, I’d take her to my place. Only, I think she needs to be in her space where she feels safe.”
“You may think that, but does she?” Fox countered. “She’s gone to great lengths to protect her home. That’s been violated. It might be worth bringing it up. Also, you need to ask her if she’s happy with you staying there. You can’t just lay it out like a law.”
Did Fox think he was stupid?
“Of course I’ll ask her. If she doesn’t want me to stay there, I’m going to camp out in my car and watch her building.” Not the best of situations, but until the threat was gone, he would do what he had to.
“You can’t stay up all night every night,” Hound declared. “If it comes to that, let us know, and we’ll do rotating shifts so we all can sleep and she’s protected at the same time.”
He loved these guys; they were willing to do whatever it took, even inconveniencing their lives, to help out.
There was no point in trying to talk them out of it, so he didn’t even bother. He would do the same for them in a heartbeat. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“Right, well we’ve got a plan of action. Jag, see if you can get Steff’s therapist’s details, and let Hound know, who will then pass it on to Cass. Although, if I know Cass, she’s probably got a way to find out that information without us having to ask Steff,” Fox said ruefully.
“True, but we also know Cass won’t do anything without us asking in the first place.” Cass’s ethics were as legendary as her computer skills. There was no way she’d cross a line. Jag fully believed that.
A murmur of agreement sounded from his friends. Jag stood, eager to see if Steff was back.
“One more thing.” Deal’s words halted his movements. “You might want to talk to Cass about getting Steff a tracker. Just to be on the safe side.”
“Damn, I should’ve thought of that.” Jag couldn’t believe it hadn’t crossed his mind. At least this would keep Steff safe. The question would be if she would want to wear it or not.
“That’s what you’ve got us for.” Hound held up his hand and Deal high fived him.
Jag barely restrained himself from rolling his eyes. “Right, I’m out of here. I’ll let you know where I am, and if I need you guys to help me out.”
He gave them a chin lift and headed out the door, making a beeline for Cass’s office where he should find Steff.
As he approached her office, he heard the tinkle of laughter, and paused. He’d only heard it a couple of times, but that was Steff. He leaned against the wall, not wanting to interrupt the moment.
It appeared as if Steff and Cass had been joined by Teresa, and, if he wasn’t mistaken, Eveline as well.
If he hadn’t heard Steff’s laugh, he would’ve gone in there, because that was a lot of people for her to deal with. Not to mention Teresa, and how–he hated to say it–her presence could cause Steff to have another panic attack.
