Page 5 of Flynn

“No, probably not.” Still, Flynn didn’t like it. If the perp had swept his flashlight over the room, he had to have noticed the empty but obviously slept-in bed. He’d have to assume someone had been staying there.

“I heard the police sirens shortly after that,” Taylor said. “I figured the sound scared him away.”

“I’m sure it did.” The news was hardly reassuring. The gunman had killed two people in their beds. Was it possible the perp had the means to learn that the Millers had hired a live-in nanny?

If so, Taylor Templeton could very well be next on the killer’s hit list.

ChapterTwo

Taylor’s stomach twisted painfully as she followed Flynn into the police station. He had insisted on carrying Max’s car seat, while she had the diaper bag slung over her shoulder. Thankfully, the little boy was still sleeping.

She was concerned about the fate of the baby who’d lost his parents in a brutal murder. The reality of the situation still hadn’t quite sunk in. Not only was Max an orphan, but she was in danger.

Not to mention needing a new job. And a place to live.

Maybe she needed to give up the idea of being a nanny and go back to working for a day care center. Two cases going bad in two months was too many.

“Please have a seat.” An Officer Jones had escorted them back to an interview room. “Would you like coffee? Detective Klem will be here soon.”

“Coffee would be great,” she said, even though she wasn’t the least bit tired.

“For me too,” Flynn added as he set Max’s car seat on the table. “Thanks.”

Taylor dropped the diaper bag onto the floor and sank into the closest chair. “Will they call the Department of Child Protective Services for Max?”

“Yes.” Flynn’s green eyes held hers. “I know how hard this is for you, but I’ll stay close, okay?”

She tried to smile. “I know you take your duty seriously.”

“It’s not just duty,” Flynn said, his gaze serious. “You witnessed a horrific crime. It’s my job to keep you safe.”

She appreciated Flynn’s protection more than he knew. Four weeks ago when she’d first met Flynn, their personalities had clashed. She’d sensed how he’d looked down on her for being a live-in nanny. As if it wasn’t a real job because all she did was take care of kids, most recently babies.

Flynn didn’t realize the pay was decent, and the work was such that she often had downtime, which she had used to pursue her dream of writing a romance novel. Not that it was any of his business what she did for work.

After this most recent incident, she’d wondered if she’d taken the wrong path. Never before had she been in harm’s way.

Until now.

“Here you go.” Officer Jones returned carrying two cups of coffee. “Don’t worry, this is from a fresh pot, not our usual sludge,” he said jokingly to Flynn.

“Great.” Flynn sipped from the cup.

She wrapped her hands around the cardboard cup, soaking in the warmth.

“It’s going to be okay,” Flynn said, breaking the silence.

Would it? She tried to nod, but just then the door opened, and a heavyset man came in. “Are you Taylor Templeton?”

“Yes.” She straightened in her chair.

“I’m Detective Klem.” He shook her hand, then turned to do the same with Flynn. “I understand you were the live-in nanny for the Millers.”

“Yes. But I only started two weeks ago.” She glanced at Max who continued to sleep peacefully. “My job is obviously to care for the baby. I was feeding him when,” she faltered, then added, “it happened.”

Detective Klem nodded. “Would you mind starting from the beginning? Oh, and you need to know this interview will be recorded.”

She glanced up at the camera mounted in the corner of the room, remembering every crime show she’d ever watched on television. Of course, she’d be recorded. She sighed and gathered her thoughts. “Max woke up crying. I went down to the kitchen to make him a bottle.”

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