Page 73 of Catch My Fall

“Hello, I’m Officer Jenkins, we received a call at the station from one of your neighbours yesterday about them seeing the lights on at this property, thought it might be squatters.”

If they got the call yesterday, why has it taken them a full twenty-four hours to investigate it?

“Do you have any ID on you?” I ask.

“Of course.” He pulls out his badge and holds it up.

I’ve learned never to trust anyone’s word, even if they come from someone in uniform, but everything on his ID seems legit.

“I’m Alec McKenna. This was my parents’ place. They passed over two decades ago and it’s been unoccupied ever since. I inherited it when I came of age.”

“We looked into the deeds of this property and your name is listed as the owner. Do you have any identification that could verify it’s you?” Jenkins asks.

“Sure.” I pull out my wallet from my back pocket and hand him my driver’s license.

He studies it for a moment, his eyes flicking up from the photo to my face and back down again before handing it back to me.

“What brings you back after so long?”

“Brought my girlfriend here to the place that was special to me as a child. I have wonderful memories growing up here.”

“Well, I hope you are enjoying your stay so far, Ma’am.”

“I am. It’s beautiful,” Si replies.

“Well, my apologies for disturbing you, Mr. McKenna,” he glances to Sierra beside me, his eyes lingering for a little too long for my liking, “Ma’am.”

“No problem.”

“You both have a nice day,” he says, giving me a small smile before retreating back to his squad car.

We watch as he backs out of the driveway and I don’t wait until he’s out of sight to pull out my phone and call Derek.

“Alec, how’s it going?”

“Can you look into an Officer Jenkins at the local PD here?”

“Sure. Any particular reason?”

“He’s been sniffing around. Could be harmless but better safe than sorry. I’ll send over a shot of his face and the car’s license plate when I get off the phone with you.”

“I’m on it as we speak, Al. Don’t worry, I’ll get back to you in due course.”

“Appreciate it.” I hang up and pocket my phone. “Come on, princess, let’s go inside.”

∞∞∞

With Sierra’s body snuggled tight up against mine, I wake sometime on the early hours when my phone pings with an incoming text beside me.

Derek: Jenkins is drowning in debt. From the looks of it, he’s a drinker and a gambler. No indication he’s on the take. Sorry, I couldn’t be more help.

Me: Not a problem, thanks for looking.

I slide my phone back onto the bedside table and press a kiss to the top of my girl’s head, her steady breathing lulling me back into unconsciousness.

28

“What are we watching?” Alec asks, dropping onto the couch beside me with a bounce, placing my feet across his lap as I lie on my side with my head resting against the arm rest.

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