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“I’d appreciate that. I need to know what I’m up against.”
He gestures to the door. “She’s down the corridor with her parents. I’ll take you to her.”
Standing, we follow him out of the room, coming to a stop three offices down. “She’s still pretty shook up. That might work in our favor in convincing her she needs protection,” Wilmot says, his hand on the doorknob.
He opens the door, and we follow him in. “Hallie, I’d like you to meet someone I think can help you,” he says. The room is set up like the one we’ve just left but on a much smaller scale. Four people sit around a small conference table and glancing round, I can pick out Hallie’s parents, but I’m unsure which of the girls is Hallie—the blonde or the brunette. Both look shaken up, and despite seeing a picture of Hallie after she was rescued, neither looks like the photograph.
“Have you found him yet, Detective Wilson?” Hallie’s dad asks.
“I’m afraid not, Mr. Anderson. We have every available officer looking and setting roadblocks up on the outskirts of town. His picture is on every news channel. He can’t hide forever.”
Hallie’s dad sighs as he reaches for his wife’s hand.
“Hallie, this is Sawyer Mitchell. He’s a close protection officer working with the Savannah Police Department,” Wilmot explains as he pulls out a chair, motioning for Logan and me to take a seat. “Sawyer, this is Hallie Anderson.” He gestures across the table to the brunette.
“Nice to meet you, Hallie. I wish it were under better circumstances. How are you doing?” I ask. Her frightened eyes meet mine, and despite the worry etched on her face, I can’t help but notice how beautiful she is.
“A close protection officer?” She frowns. “As in a bodyguard?”
“Well, yes, but we don’t use the term bodyguard anymore.”
“I don’t need a bodyguard.”
“Hallie, we’re concerned for your safety now that Matthew Bryant has escaped,” Wilmot explains. “We all think having someone look out for you would be a good idea. Just until he’s caught.”
Hallie turns to her parents. “Do you think this is a good idea?” Her voice is quiet, but I can hear the emotion in her tone.
“Yes, sweetheart. We lost you once, and we can’t bear to have anything happen to you again. That man is dangerous. We need to know you’re safe,” Hallie’s mom says, reaching over and taking her daughter’s hand.
She sighs and drops her head on the table. “I want this all to be over.”
“We’re doing everything we can to catch him, Hallie,” Wilmot promises.
Lifting her head, she stares across at me. She looks lost and scared. I understand her dilemma. I’ve seen it in people countless times. She’s hanging on by a thread. If she lets me in, she’s got to admit sheisin trouble and needs my help. I don’t think she’s quite there yet.
“How would this work then?” She’s still looking at me, confusion filling her eyes. “Do you just follow me around?”
“The best option is to move you out of Savannah to a safe house—”
“No, no way.” She shakes her head determinedly. “Surely, there’s another option.”
I sigh and close my eyes. There is another option and my jaw tics as I contemplate it. It’s not an option Logan will like. It’s not an option I’m too keen on either. I glance across at Logan, and he subtly shakes his head, knowing what I’m thinking.
“I move into your place.” Her eyes widen, and she swings her head to look at her parents.
“What? That’s worse than the safe house! You can’t be serious?”
“Sweetheart, it’s close protection,” her dad says sympathetically. In order to protect you, he needs to be close. It won’t be forever.”
“I can’t believe you think this is okay. I have no idea who this… this man is.” She waves her hand across the table at me, her frustration evident.
“Sawyer is the best we have, Miss Anderson. You’ll be safe with him,” Logan interjects. “Although, I think the safe house is the better option.” His eyes flick to mine, and I look away.
“Like when Detective Wilmot said I’d be safe? Excuse me if I don’t believe you.”
“Hallie!” her mom chastises. “These people want to help you.” She sighs and runs her hand through her hair.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to waste another minute on him. I’ve lost so much already. Now I have a life, a job, friends.” She throws her hands up in the air. “I don’t want my every move to be watched, and I definitely don’t want to leave Savannah.”
