"There's . . . there's . . ." Panic was an understatement. She was hyperventilating. She'd go into shock or pass out if he didn't calm her. Fast.
Not ready to lay down his weapon, he gripped her upper arm with his left hand. "Lena, is someone outside?"
"Huh?"
"Was someone chasing you?"
She shook her head. "No. No. I didn't see anyone."
He guided her to the sofa and set his gun on the end table.
She collapsed onto the sofa and loosened her grip on Nutmeg. The furball camped himself next to her on one side, and Nash sat on the other.
Her body trembled, eyes focusing and unfocusing.
Concern for her burned through him. He needed answers.
"Lena, look at me." He placed both his hands on her shoulders. "Did someone hurt you?"
She shook her head.
"What happened?"
Her words hurtled over erratic breaths. "Cassidy. I think it's Cassidy." Several quick breaths. "I think I saw Cassidy."
If she'd seen her cousin alive and well, she'd have had a different reaction. Something was very wrong.
"Okay, you saw Cassidy. Where?" he asked, keeping his tone calm and even.
Her face contorted. Yes, something was very wrong.
He had to get her calmed down before she passed out. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his chest. "I've got you, Lena. You're okay. I've got you."
She leaned into him, still gasping for air.
"Slow breaths, Lena. Slow breaths. I've got you." He rubbed her back until he felt her breathing regulate. "Lena, I promise you're safe. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. But what did you see?"
She eased out of his arms and looked him in the eye. "I think I saw Cassidy."
"You think?"
"I . . . Nutmeg needed to go out. To do his business. So I put him on the leash and we just walked around the side of the house. I didn't want to go far in the middle of the night. He did what he needed to, and he was sniffing around theflower bed, and he started going crazy. He pulled so hard I let go of the leash. He started pawing around the flower bed and . . ."
Her body froze. He had a sick feeling he knew where this was going. But he needed her to confirm.
"Nutmeg found something in the flower bed?" he asked.
"I saw . . ." Her hand flew to her mouth as if saying the words would make it true. Her fingers slid down her face. "I saw blond hair and a hand. A woman's hand. I . . .I . . ." She hiccuped.
He tugged her against his chest again, holding her with one arm and rubbing her back with his free hand. After a few seconds, he lowered his mouth to her ear. "I need to go check it out. You're going to stay here." He leaned back to look her in the eyes. "You need to concentrate on slow breaths. I can't leave until I know you're not going to pass out. It's going to be okay."
She shook her head. "No, it's not. It's not. Nothing's going to be okay."
He knew what she meant. That was a stupid thing to say. If Cassidy was dead . . . He didn't have to go there yet.
He rubbed his hands up and down her forearms. "Stay here with Nutmeg. I'm locking the door. I'll use the codeto let myself back in, so don't open the door for anyone. Or any reason. Okay?"
Her head bobbed. "Okay."
