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Lia leaned into his side and wrapped her arm around his waist. His arm moved to hold her close.
Marcus sighed. “I’m standing right here, Joe. You know better than to take anything into your own hands. We want to find this person and we want an airtight case so they don’t slip through any cracks. Keep that in mind.”
She felt Joe’s sigh and she squeezed him before she spoke again. “Thanks for being thorough. I’m used to being able to see the problem and then figure out a plan to fix it. This subterfuge isn’t something I’m used to. If there was an obvious reason it would be easier to figure out.”
Joe laughed and squeezed her shoulder. “And then a whole pile of us would be out of a job.”
Mitch handed Lia a ball cap with Phail Phire written on it. She grinned and didn’t complain when he put some gauze and tape on her hair and then covered it with the cap.
The group trooped back to her office and found that the activity had slowed. “Did something else happen? Is anyone hurt?”
Tansy walked over and hugged her. “You got hurt. Are you okay?”
She nodded and tried to keep in the wince. Tansy frowned and led her over to where some of the Midnight Lake gang were sitting around an old table. Tansy pushed her into an empty chair, making Lia laugh. “You’re just like your brother. I’m fine. Mitch cleaned up the cut and I’m wearing the cap to keep any dust out. It’ll be healed by tomorrow.”
Joe grunted and sat beside her, wrapped his arm around the back of her chair. He looked around the group. “What did you find out?”
Sam took the lead. “Not much. There were a few people helping today who we didn’t know. We all assumed they were attached to someone else who was helping and didn’t think to question them.”
A shock ran through her. “You think it was one of the people who was here today?”
Sam shrugged. “It’s a possibility.”
Nico nodded. “A lot of people who engage in this kind of stalking behavior like to be up close to the action so they can see the results of their tricks on the person they’re stalking.”
She shuddered. “You think one of us has a stalker?”
Joe scooted his chair closer and held her.
Nico shrugged. “Potentially. The ripped photo indicates the person is pissed at you, but that could be because you’re with Joe. The tires pointed more toward Joe. Obviously the brick was aimed at you. We need more information.”
Lia frowned. “How do we get that? Did anyone take any photos today so we can check out the people we don’t know?”
Nico grinned. “No photos, but we have something better. We have Josie.” He tilted his head to the bar. Josie had hopped up top and was working away in a sketchbook with ear buds in her ears.
Joe rubbed Lia’s shoulder. “You know Josie is an artist. Did I ever mention she’s been volunteering with the FBI for years as a sketch artist? She’ll have sketches of all the people who were here today by the time she’s done. We’ll figure this out.”
A bit of hope bloomed in Lia. She hoped they could do that before someone got seriously hurt.
Chapter 13
A Helping Hand
Joe couldn’t fully relax until they were back on Midnight Lake property, with all the security measures in place. Once they’d entered the lodge and locked the doors behind them, he felt his body ease. Lia was safe here.
As if she understood his thoughts, Lia turned to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Better?”
He chuckled as he held her. “That easy to read, am I?”
“Afraid so.”
The entire group had come back, including Mitch and Bella, who often stayed in their apartment over the fire hall, especially while Mitch was training his volunteers. Tansy moved to fill the large kettle on the pellet stove and Graham said he was getting snacks for the team meeting.
“Team meeting?” Lia’s voice was confused.
He nodded. “You were attacked today. We’re going to put our heads together and figure out the next steps.” Again, he felt her surprise at people having her back. He leaned down to kiss her then whispered. “You’re part of a team now. No more being solo. You’ve got this impressive group to help you forever.”
When she looked up, her eyes glimmered with tears and he had to pull her in for a hug. “And you’ve got me, Lia. Whatever you need.” He wanted to add that he was pretty sure he’d fallen in love with her even though the timeframe made it a damn quick tumble.
