“Maybe. Your daddy and I haven’t looked at our work schedules yet.”
They found Dakota in his office on his computer, his brows knitted together as he peered at the screen. “Maybe your dad will have a dessert party with us next time.”
“Daddy, will you?”
He blinked, then refocused on them. “You two sounded like you were having a good time.”
“Uh-huh,” Sammy said. “Provi is soooo much fun.”
“All right, I’ve got to get going,” Providence said. “What’s the plan tomorrow?”
“We’ll work here. Come over as early as seven.” He pushed out of his chair. “Sammy, let’s walk Providence out.”
Dakota’s jaw muscles were flexing so hard, Providence asked him if he was okay.
“I just spent the last hour reviewing more of my cases. Most I’d forgotten about, but not a single one stands out. We’ve hit another dead end.”
She laid a calming hand on his shoulder. “We have plenty of other clues to chase down. I’m leaving my laptop, and I’ll be back in the morning.”
Providence slung her handbag over her shoulder and collected her very special artwork. “This goes on my refrigerator.”
Dakota lifted Sammy into his arms and they walked her to her car. “Text me when you get home.”
She drove off, feeling like she was leaving her heart behind.
Back at her condo, she flipped on lights as she made her way to her bedroom. Light spilled from the door crack of her walk-in closet.I never leave that light on.Her heart rate shot into the triple digits. She went to grab her Glock, but she’d left it in Dakota’s safe.Dammit.
She bolted to her night table drawer, where she had stored her second weapon. It was gone.
Oh, God, no.
Shoving down her fear, she grabbed a kitchen knife and rushed back to her bedroom where she flung open the closet door. She was alone.
With adrenaline surging through her, she checked under her bed, in her shower, the guest room, the coat closet, and the pantry. After clearing her home, she stopped to catch her breath. Then, she checked her front door, but couldn’t tell if the lock had been tampered with.
Her television hadn’t been moved, her personal laptop lay untouched on the kitchen counter. Starting there, she checked every cupboard to see if the intruder had taken anything. Nothing. He’d taken nothing. Even her spare house key was still in the kitchen junk drawer.
When she returned to her bedroom, the center drawer to her desk was ajar. Inside, her checkbook had been placed on the other side of the drawer. But no checks had been taken.
There’s no way I can stay here tonight.Randy and Lizzie were in the guest room of her parents’ house, and Megan and Leigh were tight on space. Crashing on their sofas wouldn’t work. She fished out her phone and called Dakota.
“Make it home okay?”
“Someone broke into my place.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can. What’s your address?”
She gave it to him and hung up. She didn’t even need to ask him for help. Relief washed over her. She pulled out an overnight bag and threw in some clothing.
Her doorbell chimed and she froze. “Hey, Providence, you there?”
It was her ex. She confirmed through the peephole before opening the front door. “What are you doing here?”
“I’d mentioned wanting to talk to you. Is now a good time?”
“No, it’s not. Why didn’t you text me first?”
“I was driving by. It’s almost ten, and I figured you’d be here. I won’t stay long.”
