Page 38 of Nyx

I know from the daily report that today is Juliet's second day here. I wasn't on shift for Juniper yesterday on her first day, and it gnawed at me for some reason. But updates on Graham Whitmore and knowing he was still on the East Coast made it easier not to jump on my bike and swing by.

I don't know if the meeting with her was Kincaid’s way of trying to humanize me a little more or what, but seeing her, listening to her speak about her history working in various women's shelters, and understanding why she chose this line of work had a way of getting to me more than usual.

It was the first time since working with Cerberus that I had encountered a woman face-to-face when I wasn't actively trying to stop someone from hurting her. All the other times, it had been raids or distant surveillance.

Her safety somehow feels like a personal mission for me now, and I'm not a man who doesn't succeed.

Memories of my mother try to flash in my head, and the failures I suffered as a child growing up with an abusive father, but I shove them down as much as I can. I owe it to the women inside to be fully present. Distractions aren't a luxury, even if it were something I did want to spend time thinking about, which they aren't.

"Juliet is here," I say, knowing that Holler and Victoria can hear my voice through their own comm units.

"Thank you," Victoria says.

"10-4," Holler says.

"Leona Saint is expected within the hour as well," Victoria says.

"Yes, ma'am," I answer as I watch Juliet climb out of her car.

Leona Saint is Traci Clark's caseworker, and just thinking about that poor pregnant woman makes my mind drift back to Juliet's past. Rage for her ex-husband grows inside me. That bastard said in court that he wouldn't have stabbed her if he had known she was pregnant, as if he'd never hurt his own child, as if babies are innocent and protected from his abuse, but stabbing his own wife was somehow okay in his eyes.

I dip my head in greeting as Juliet approaches, grateful she does the same before stepping onto the porch and using her code to gain access. She doesn't speak to me, and I'm glad not to have to have a conversation with anyone, but a hint of loss hits me when she steps inside.

Her name and entry point sound out in my ear since the security system is also connected to our communication program. This house is set up better than many federal buildings. We're alerted to a lot of things, like the opening of the front and back doors, and anytime an access code is used.

I watch the area in front of me, my eyes scanning for anything that might be considered a threat or out of the norm.

The front door of the house across the street opens, the elderly man glancing at me as he walks down his narrow sidewalk to the mailbox.

"Gonna be a hot one," he yells loud enough for me to hear.

I don't engage with him, but he doesn't look annoyed as he takes his mail and heads back into his house.

I guess people in the neighborhood could feel any way they want about us always being here, but I haven't been met with glares or harsh words. It's quite possible they like the fact that we're paying attention to what's going on in their neighborhood. It's definitely a deterrent for anyone who might drive by, looking for a place to break into or something to steal.

I glance toward the pool of SUVs, wondering who has the tougher time—us standing out here in the heat, or the guys sitting in the SUVs. Kincaid and Shadow are in one SUV, looking all around but carrying on a conversation. Oracle is in another. His wife is inside, but he's waiting to take Melissa to work. The third and fourth SUVs in the parking lot are for Holler and me. In the event that we have to evacuate the house, we need room in the vehicles to accommodate everyone.

The day goes by like any other day, hot and thankfully quiet.

Melissa leaves for work. Caroline is off today, and there are no other appointments.

"Switch?" Holler asks halfway through my shift.

"10-4," I say, turning to my left and making my way along the side of the house.

The front of the house can be seen from one vantage point, but patrolling is usually required in the back to see along both sides toward the front. Kincaid and Shadow are keeping an eye on one side of the house, so that makes the patrol distance less.

"Stationed," Holler says as he takes his spot in the front.

"Meeting out back in two," Victoria says into her mic.

We aren't able to hear what's going on in the house unless the person with the inside comm presses a button. In case of an emergency, Max can turn it on, but the privacy of the women is just as important to Cerberus as their safety.

"10- 4," Holler responds.

I don't know if he wanted to trade places for a while because he didn't want to listen to the meeting or what, but I didn't refuse because I'm doing my best to be a team player these days. That's a lot of the expectation in New Mexico. I was part of a team in Tennessee, but the work was mostly solitary. The change has been more of an adjustment than I expected, especially since it hasn't been that long since I left the Marine Corps. It's crazy just how used to something you can get in such a short period of time.

I don't know what to expect from the meeting. I haven't been back here when they've had one.