Page 89 of Caught in the Crossfire

When they finished the first set, Dean said, “Everything okay?”

“Not really.”

His friend frowned. “Want to talk about it or should I shut up and mind my own business?”

“Nicole’s former boyfriend is in town. He showed up at Linc’s at midnight and scared Nicole.”

“What does he want?”

“What do you think? Nicole.”

Dean stared a moment, then shook his head. “Incredible. How did she handle it?”

“Told him she’d never take him back.” He scowled at the memory of her confession. “During their last encounter two years ago, Dannon hit her.”

“Is he still alive?” Dean’s tone was wry.

“For the moment. I told him that if he ever touched her again, I’d take him apart.”

“Think he believed you?”

Mason’s lips curved. “He got my message. The problem is Dannon received an email that he assumed was from Nicole. The email implied that she missed him and would welcome him back into her life.”

“Fat chance of that happening. She’s crazy in love with you. Since Nicole didn’t send the email, then who did?”

“Zane looked into it. He said the trail ends with someone who claims to be Nicole and sent the message from the Otter Creek library.”

“The library might have security cameras. If Zane can tell you what time the email was sent and the computers are under camera surveillance, you should be able to see who was using the computers at the time.” He shrugged. “At least it would narrow your search to less than the population of Otter Creek.”

“That’s a great idea. I should have thought of that myself.”

“You would have if you’d slept more than five hours over the past few days.”

Yeah, probably. “If the library has security footage, I’ll have to figure out how to obtain a copy of the recording.”

“That’s easy. Leah is good friends with the head librarian, and the lady is a customer of Nicole’s. I don’t think Leah will have a problem getting what you need.”

A surge of hope swept through Mason. If he could get the recording, he could prove Nicole wasn’t the one who sent the emails. The police would eventually get the footage, but Zane could obtain information without warrants. If Mason found the evidence he needed, he’d have Z pass it along to the police anonymously. The Fortress tech wizard had ways to erase his electronic tracks so the police wouldn’t be able to trace the information to him.

He sent a text to Zane, asking for the times the emails were sent. “I’d appreciate Leah’s help, but only if she agrees. I don’t want her to help if it makes her uncomfortable.”

Dean waved that aside. “I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”

Later, as he and Dean sat under a tree to eat lunch, they talked about the work in Building 6 and discussed ways to streamline their process to save time.

Patton and Fisher walked up. Mason eyed them as he finished the last of his tea.

“Where’s your thug friend?” Patton said.

“If you’re talking about Linc, he’s working.”

“You sent him after us,” Fisher accused. “All we did was stick around to see if you needed help, but you turned on us.”

“Linc was protecting his girlfriend from someone watching us in the darkness.”

“Oh, come on. That’s not a crime.”

“He’s responsible for Dawn’s safety and takes that job seriously since she ran into Riva’s killer. If your woman’s life was in danger, you’d check a potential threat to her, too.”

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