Page 29 of Speak No Evil

“Instinct.”

Her only instinct was to run and hide. “This is going to sound naive, but I have to ask. Did you ever run into this sort of thing before? In the military?”

“Nothing that had to with biological weapons, but let’s just say the men I had to deal with weren’t very nice.”

O-kay. She huffed out a breath. “I’ve probably still got records of the attendees of that seminar.” She set her repacked tote aside. “If I went into work, I could look for them.”

Will held up a hand. “Don’t bother. They probably used fake names. I’ve already sent these photos to a friend who works in counterintelligence and terrorism with the FBI. He and I served together and mustered out about the same time. He might be able to identify your stalker. Then we’d have a name.”

“What will that help?” She watched him send a message.

“With that information, we can find out who he is and how dangerous he might be. In the meantime, I think you should stay here until this situation is resolved.”

And how long would that take? A week? A month? She wasn’t sure she wanted to know, but they both had their own lives. “I’ll be in your way. Throw your whole weekend out of whack.”

He tugged her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. “I think you’ll find I’m very accommodating.”

“I do appreciate that.” They shared a look, and her body swayed toward his. This relationship was happening whether or not she wanted it to, and all she could do now was to be careful not to let herself get swept away.

Will let go. He opened the fridge and set out juice and a carton of eggs. “In my role as host, I’m prepared to make you breakfast.”

“I feel like royalty, but if you’re serious and making scrambled eggs, I’ll take some.” She kissed him quickly on the cheek and cleared the breakfast bar, wrapping her fingers through the tote’s handles she was ambushed by a sudden thought. “I carried my bag everywhere yesterday, including into my aunt and uncle’s house.”

She powered up her cell and found her uncle’s number in her contact list. “I need to warn them, Uncle Tim, anyway.” She stared at Will, her mind suddenly blank. “What am I going to say without telling him the truth?”

Will didn’t have time to answer before her aunt picked up. “Hi, Aunt Kathy.” Gwen put the call on speaker. “Is Uncle Tim around?”

“He’s in the garage,” her aunt said. “Why? Is something the matter?”

“Not really.” She rolled her eyes at Will.

“Oh, here he comes,” she said, saving Gwen from further interrogation. “Talk to Gwen, honey. I need to take the biscuits out of the oven.”

“Saved by the biscuits,” Gwen murmured. Will grinned. “Hi, Uncle Tim. I need to ask you something, but you need to keep this on the down-low. Will you watch out for any unfamiliar cars cruising the streets around there? Specifically, a large black SUV with tinted windows.”

“What’s going on, Gwen?” Her uncle’s voice turned gruff and no-nonsense.

“Sir, this is Will Strongbow.” Will bent closer. “There’s been some strange activity in the area where Gwen lives.”

“Tell her to come over here, for Pete’s sake,” her uncle said.

She stifled a grown. Of course, he’d tell her this. “I can’t right now, Uncle Tim. I’m back in the city.”

“With Will?”

“As a matter of fact, yes,” she paused. Uncle Tim could assume they’d slept together. They had, but her uncle might have strict opinions about that sort of thing. She didn’t know because she’d never tested them.

Will traded glances with her and jumped into the conversation again. “Anyway, Gwen’s worried this strange activity might overflow to your neighborhood.”

“A black SUV?”

“Yes, sir. Have you seen anything like that on your street?”

“Not yet,” her uncle answered. “I’ll keep my eyes out for it and call you if I see one.”

“Please,” Gwen said. “Thanks. It’s up to you if you want to tell Leslie or Aunt Kathy, but I hope there won’t be any need. And if a stranger comes to the door, call the police.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll handle them. Don’t worry. Take care of yourself. You, too, Will.” Uncle Tim ended the call.

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