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“I think you should accept their help, Hal,” her friend says quietly. Hallie swings her head around to look at her. “I want you to be safe.”
She groans before picking up the glass of water in front of her. She swallows a mouthful, then bangs the glass down on the table, droplets of water splashing on the polished wood. I can’t help but feel for her. It sounds like she’s got some sort of normality in her life, and now she’s going to have to let a stranger into her home and life. It’s going to be tough.
“You could move home, Hallie. Have Sawyer come there,” her mom suggests.
“No way. If Matt finds me there, that puts you and Dad in danger too. If it has to be like this, it must be at my apartment.” She sighs, and tears fill her eyes.
“Look, you won’t know I’m there, Hallie. I’ve done this before. I’ll stay out of your way,” I say, trying to reassure her. I’m not lying. I’ve done close protection at a client’s home before. It’s not easy, but it’s doable.
“What do I tell my friends, my neighbors, my work colleagues? Am I meant to stay inside? Put my life on hold until they catch him?” The tears that were threatening to fall track down her face, and before I know what I’m doing, I reach across the table and take her hand. Her eyes shoot up to mine, and I give her a small smile.
“No, Hallie. No one’s asking you to put your life on hold. You can still do all the things you normally do. I’ll just be with you when you do them.” She pulls her hand from mine, and I slowly pull back my arm, wondering why I felt the need to touch her.
“I work in a library. What are you going to do all day?”
“I like to read. It’ll be fine.”
“I work in the children’s section.”
“That’s okay. I like children’s books too.” I shrug, and she shakes her head, a small smile playing on her lips.
“Maybe I should take some time off. I’m due some leave.”
“Does that mean you’ll let Sawyer help, sweetheart?” her mom asks.
Hallie looks at everyone around the table before sighing loudly. “Okay,” she whispers. Her mom pulls her into a hug, the relief evident on her face. “So, what now?”
“You come with me,” I tell her, standing up.
“Right now?” She looks unsure, and I nod.
“I need to swing by my place and pack a bag, then I’ll take you home.”
“Can’t I wait here while you do that?”
“Afraid not. You’re under my protection now. Where you go, I go, and right now, I need some clothes.”
She rolls her eyes, and despite the fear and innocence I’ve seen, I think I might have my work cut out protecting her. “Fine,” she grumbles.
“We’ll call you later, Hallie,” her mom says as she stands and pulls her into a hug. “We’ll take Jess home.”
“Thank you. All of you, for everything.”
After a round of hugs, I hold the door open, and she follows me through the open-plan office to the elevator. As we ride the elevator down to the front desk, she shifts nervously from foot to foot, her hands twisting together in front of her.
“We need to go out the back of the building. The press was circling when I arrived.” She closes her eyes and sighs before dropping her head. Once we exit the elevator, I lead her through the back doors and onto the sidewalk. My bike is parked around the front, but with the press focused on the entrance, I’m confident we can get away without being noticed.
Rounding the building, Hallie gasps when she sees the number of press gathered on the precinct’s front steps. There are even more now than when I arrived an hour ago. “My bike’s here,” I tell her. “We’ll be out of here soon.”
“Hell no,” she exclaims. “I’m not getting on that.” The worry and nerves of a few minutes ago disappear as she crosses her arms defiantly across her body.
“I’ve got a helmet for you. I’m a good rider. You’ll be safe.”
“No way.”
I sigh and drag my fingers through my hair. “Come on—”
“Hey,” one of the reporters yells. “Hallie, Hallie Anderson.”
