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Roman nodded. “Ben, I’d like to introduce you to Detective Dan Freemont with the Charleston Police Department. Dan, this is Ben. We served with him in the SEALs, and he’s one of the best there is.”
Dan didn’t bat an eye at the mention of my being a SEAL. Which isn’t the reaction I normally received. He held out his hand for me to shake. He had a good grip.
“Pleasure. I was Air Force myself.”
“But we don’t hold that against him,” Owen stated, his voice dripping with friendly sarcasm.
“I can still whup your ass at pool,” Dan blithely responded, like he’d taken their ribbing about being in a different branch so much it no longer fazed him.
“My grandad was Air Force. Served in Vietnam,” I told him.
That got Dan’s attention. He smiled at me. “No shit. How’d you end up a Frogman?”
“That is a long, convoluted story best told over a few cold ones. Did these guys explain the situation?”
“Somewhat. Why don’t you buy me breakfast and tell me the full story?”
Now that I could do. I nodded. “Done.” I held up my hand, signaling the waitress. Once she took our orders, I relayed the information about Moira’s stalker.
“They hacked her security system feed? Really?” Dan’s brows were raised so high they almost disappeared into his hairline.
“Yep. That’s what our contact discovered.”
“I’m assuming that’s intel that can’t be used in a case.” Dan sighed.
“Nope,” Roman interjected. “Our spook said it didn’t come from him. But he did give me a report with all the data one of your cyber cops could trace. And then any of the info you would glean could be used.”
“Get me the information. This doesn’t sound like something that’s just going to go away. And frankly, I trust the intel. Why hasn’t she come to the police and filed a report?”
“She said she tried, but because she owns a strip club and still dances on occasion, the local police didn’t take her seriously.”
Dan grimaced like the news put a bad taste in his mouth. “If you can get me the names of the officers who took her statement and dismissed her, I’d appreciate it. There’s nothing that pisses me off more than shoddy police work. Especially when there is a credible threat.”
“I can do that. But what can we do on this end?”
“You’re staying with her?” Dan leveled me with a hard stare. A lesser man would flinch beneath his steely glare.
I just nodded. “For the time being.”
A single brow rose on Dan’s face before he shook his head. “That’s none of my business. What is my business is if anything more happens.” Dan withdrew a business card from his pocket. Then he snagged the pen the waitress left behind and wrote on the back. He handed me the card. “Those are my numbers. Personal cell is on the back. If something happens, call me.”
“Will do. And I appreciate it.”
“How long are you planning on staying?”
“Until we catch this guy, or my leave time is up.”
Dan nodded. “Understood. I’m going to say this, don’t do anything stupid while you’re at it. I know you can handle yourselves, but don’t fucking go to war in my jurisdiction. I really don’t want to have to arrest you.”
“Noted. I need to get back.”
“Why does he get to stay with the stripper, and I don’t?” Liam asked with a pretend frown.
“Get your own stripper,” I said and pushed away from the table, tossing down a few twenties to cover breakfast.
“By that statement, is she yours?” Roman asked with a keen eye. Fucker was always too perceptive for his own good.
“I’ll see you boys later,” I replied, not answering the question. Liam and Owen laughed while Dan and Roman gave me a knowing stare.
