Page 2 of Caught in the Crossfire

“Sit.”

The dog plopped onto his butt, dark eyes bright and alert.

“Good boy.” After attaching the leash to his collar, Nicole walked with him to the front door. “Do you mind locking up, Dawn?”

“Wait for me. You’re not going to Riva’s alone.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Going to Riva’s with you will only take a few minutes, and I’ll feel better knowing you aren’t alone.”

She rolled her eyes. This was Otter Creek, an idyllic small town. What could possibly happen in this sleepy little burg? She also had Cosmo. Big dog plus big bark meant almost no chance of someone attacking her. “Let’s go. Cosmo is ready to see his human mom.”

Nicole unlocked her vehicle, opened the back door, and signaled Cosmo to hop in. When the 80-pound dog leaped into the back, she secured the dog with the seatbelt adapter she routinely carried and circled to the driver’s door.

Fifteen minutes later, Nicole and Dawn parked their vehicles on the street in front of Riva’s bungalow.

Nicole frowned. Riva’s red SUV sat in the driveway. Had she just arrived? Uneasiness crawled up her spine. Perhaps she should have asked Mason to meet her here. This was weird and, frankly, a little creepy. Too late now. She was already here. Riva would probably offer a sincere apology along with a story about an impossible potential client.

She partially lowered a window for Cosmo and exited her SUV. Although Riva’s vehicle sat in the driveway, the house had no lights on. Goosebumps prickled her skin.

Cosmo voiced his opinion about being left in the vehicle. She winced, glad she wasn’t inside with him. That boy had a loud, piercing bark.

“Better find Riva before Cosmo eats your upholstery,” Dawn said.

That thought brought a scowl to her face. “He better not. My brother-in-law will have a fit if he does.”

Her friend grinned. “It’s not a good idea to tick off a PSI instructor.”

Nicole walked to the porch and reached for the doorbell when she noticed the front door standing ajar.

“What’s wrong?”

“Door’s open.” Man, what she wouldn’t give to have Mason at her back. “Something’s wrong.”

“Let’s go back to the vehicles and call the police.”

“Riva might need help. She could be hurt.”

Dawn didn’t look convinced.

“I don’t want to call the police for a wellness check when Riva might not realize the door didn’t close properly. She might be in the shower or something.”

“At 7:00 in the evening?”

Yeah, it was lame, but Nicole’s gut was screaming at her to check on the bright, vivacious real estate agent. “I want to check first. If we think something is off, we’ll scoot out and contact the police.”

“No way, Nicole,” Dawn said softly, her gaze fixed on the door. “I’m calling the police. Riva wouldn’t leave her door ajar. What if someone hurt her and they’re still inside? Come on.” Dawn gripped Nicole’s hand and tugged her toward the street.

She turned to accompany her friend when a moan sounded inside the house. She yanked her hand free. “Call for help. I’m checking on Riva.”

When Dawn grabbed her cell phone, Nicole used her elbow to nudge the door open wider and peered inside. “Riva?”

Another moan. Nicole dashed inside and climbed the stairs. She called out again and followed the weak response to a large bedroom.

Her breath caught. Blood splattered the walls and Riva lay on her side near the bed, her clothes torn and bloody. “Riva.” Nicole rushed to the woman’s side and dropped to her knees. “Hold on. Help’s coming.”

Riva’s eyelids fluttered. She whispered something.

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