Page 37 of Surprise Baby for the Enemy

I feel goofy that I almost broke my own neck trying to vault over the thing.

Derrick looks back at me and hisses, “Next time, just do this, instead of trying to tear holes in my favorite sweatpants.”

With that last insult given, he slips out and closes the gate behind him.

As soon as he’s gone, I peek back in through the window. The woman, Emma Clarke, is still eating her noodles. I don’t hear or see anyone else moving through the house, but there are plenty of rooms I can’t see into. I consider crawling around the house to see if there are more windows I can look through, but… I shouldn’t risk it- it could blow our cover and let Silver slip away.

Derrick’s knock is authoritative but not ominous. At least, I don’t think it’s supposed to be.

But Emma’s reaction suggests otherwise. She jumps hard and sets her food beside her on the couch. When she lifts her hands again- there’s a gun in them.

I slap my hand over my mouth to stifle my gasp. Emma gets to her feet and tucks the gun into the back of her jeans before heading to the door. Where Derrick is waiting, completely unaware.

I shoot to my feet, but before I can throw open the gate, the front door opens. My whole body and my heart inside it freezes.

“Good afternoon, ma’am,” I hear Derrick say from around the front of the house. “I’m sheriff Derrick Lindman. Do I have the pleasure of speaking with Emma Clarke?”

Emma’s voice is soft and high when she answers. She looked like she could be younger than me, maybe twenty, and she sounds even younger. “T-The sheriff? Is everything all right?”

“No one’s in trouble or in danger,” Derrick assures- lies. “I just have a few questions for you. If you are Emma Clarke, of course.”

“Of course,” Emma says. “I mean, yes, I’m Emma Clarke.”

“Wonderful. I’m sorry for interrupting your day, but are you the owner of a gray 1995 Buick LeSabre?”

Every muscle in my body is so tense, waiting for the answer to this question- or a gunshot. I tell myself this young woman has a handgun for self defense only, and that it’s not strange for her to bring it with her if she’s answering the door for strangers. When she stood up, I could tell she was even shorter than me, and petite. And if she’s younger than me too- who am I to blame her for trying to keep herself safe?

Still, the hairs on my neck are standing on end. No matter how I try to reassure myself, my instincts aren’t listening. Derrick is mere feet away from a weapon he’s not aware of, that can be used against him at any second.

And all I can do is stand here and listen in fear.

Emma sighs, half in relief and half in frustration. “Oh, yes. That’s my car, but it was…”

Derrick waits a polite beat, then prompts, “Was it recently stolen?”

Emma’s second sigh is pure defeat. “It- my boyfriend borrowed it. We had a fight, and he left.”

“Borrowed,” Derrick confirms, politely masking his doubt. “Did he have your permission to borrow the car?”

There’s a long, awkward pause before Emma admits, “No.”

“I understand, Miss Clarke. How long ago did he leave?”

“Please officer- sheriff- I don’t want to press any charges,” Emma hurries on. “It was just a fight. He’ll come back soon, he’s just clearing his head.”

“I understand, Miss Clarke,” Derrick repeats. “But unfortunately I’m here because your license plate has been tagged in connection with several burglaries in the area.”

“I-I see.”

My body is so stiff I can’t even breathe. Every moment of silence could be the moment before a gunshot.

“I’m not saying that your boyfriend is a suspect at this time, Miss Clarke,” Derrick assures- lies- again. “We’re just trying to figure out where your car is and who might be using it. For now, can I ask for your boyfriend’s name and a physical description?”

Seconds unroll far too slowly, but at last, Emma stammers, “Of-Of course. He’s… 5’9”, has blue eyes and long blonde hair. He’s got a large frame. Broad shoulders.”

Derrick is quiet for a moment, recording notes maybe. “And his name?”

“Michael. M-Michael Carey.”

---