Page 12 of K-9 Prime Target

Liam settled into his hotel room and was reviewing the footage he had shot that day when his phone rang with a call from Nina. Smiling, he answered. “Hey, there.”

“When I got home, there was a note. It’s from him. From Nicholson. I’m sure.” She spoke in a rush, words running into each other.

Liam rose and retrieved his keys and wallet from the dresser. “I’m on my way over now. What’s your address?”

She rattled off the number and street name.

“Are you safe until I get there?” he asked.

“Yes. The doors are double locked and Sky is calm. She would let me know if anyone was around.”

“I’ll call when I’m in your driveway.”

But when he pulled up to the stucco bungalow, the front door opened and she stood on the small porch, arms hugged across her body.

He hurried up the walkway and ushered her inside, then waited while she locked the door. Sky trotted over to greet him, her plumed tail stirring the air.

“The letter was taped to the window beside the front door,” Nina said, and walked to the small dining table to the left of the kitchen.

He read the letter without picking it up. “You think this is from Nicholson?”

“He called me darling. He always did that before. And today, when we were eating lunch, I had the same feeling—not just that someone was watching me, but that he was watching me.”

“Have you called the sheriff? Or Doug?”

She shook her head. “I was planning to talk to Doug soon, but we were so busy today, I put it off. I thought, what difference would it make, since until now no one has bothered me.”

“You need to tell them now. Law enforcement and Doug and Marlena.”

“I will.” She took a deep breath. “When I saw the letter, I was so terrified, I wasn’t thinking straight. I’m sorry I bothered you.”

“You didn’t bother me.” He caressed her arm. “I’m touched you thought of me first.”

Her eyes met his, so full of sadness. “You never let me down,” she said. “I let you down.”

He pulled her close, and she leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes, transported to those brief weeks together when he had fallen for her so fast. He had told himself he would be more cautious this time around, but already he felt that resolve slipping.

She moved out of his arms. “I’ll call the sheriff now,” she said. “But I’ll wait until tomorrow to talk to Doug and Marlena.”

“I’ll stay with you while the sheriff is here. And I’ll go with you to talk to Doug and Marlena.” When she looked as if she might protest, he added, “I was at Lake Placid for some of the harassment, so I can verify what happened. Just in case anyone tries to downplay the danger.”

“Thanks.”

She called the sheriff’s department and explained she had received a threatening letter she thought might be from a man who had previously been sentenced to prison for stalking her. After verifying that Nina was currently safe, the dispatcher said a deputy would stop by to take a report.

Nina hung up the phone. “I guess now all we can do is wait.”

“I’ll wait with you, but don’t let me keep you from whatever you had planned for the evening.”

She looked down a hallway. “I was going to take a shower.”

“Do that.” He pulled out his phone. “I’ll keep myself occupied.”

“Where is Angel?” she asked, as if suddenly realizing the dog wasn’t with him.

“She was sleeping in her kennel when I left,” he said. “All the excitement of the day had her tuckered out.”

“Sky is tired, too.” She glanced to the armchair where Sky lay curled, snoring softly.