Page 62 of Flynn

While true, the swarm of officers didn’t make Flynn feel any better. He was about to argue, when Taylor said, “Breakfast will be ready in ten.”

“You and Cassidy go inside,” Joe said. “I’ll stick around out here for a bit.”

Since the coffee wasn’t working to warm him up, Flynn took his boss’s advice. He turned and led the way inside, then paused to glance back at Joe. “I need a backup weapon. I had to give mine to the local cops.”

“Understood,” Joe said with a nod. “I’ll get one from the gun case at Rhy’s place. He won’t mind.”

The close proximity of Greenland to Brookland reminded him of Detective Klem and the way the guy had crumpled to the ground from the force of his bullets. Which gave him another thought. “Detective Irving needs to be relieved of her duties until we know for sure she’s not working with Klem. Especially since we have no idea how Klem figured out we were here. I’m concerned someone higher up in the Brookland PD is also involved. Not to mention there could still be someone inside the FBI working for the bad guys.”

Joe winced, then nodded. “Yeah, okay. I’ll take care of it.”

Flynn finally walked inside the rental. He stood in the kitchen for a moment, wondering why he didn’t feel warm yet.

Maybe he’d never be warm again.

“Here, let me refill that for you.” Taylor took his half-empty mug and topped it off with fresh coffee. “You look chilled.”

That was an understatement. He hadn’t felt this cold after he and Taylor had escaped the sinking boat in Peabody Lake. As he sipped his coffee, he noticed the fire in the fireplace was nearly burned out. Setting the cup aside, he strode over to revive it.

When he finished adding wood and stoking the fire, he stared into the leaping flames, wondering how they were going to find a place for Taylor that would keep her safe and secure for the duration of this investigation.

Then again, maybe it wasn’t a matter of where, but a matter of how many officers they had posted around her. As Joe had mentioned, they were safe here because of the numerous officers on scene.

Enough to scare off one lone gunman.

And where was Nickoli Yurgis anyway? Flynn had assumed the masked gunman was Yurgis since Taylor had seen him after he’d murdered the Millers. Tearing off the mask to find Klem lying there had been an unwelcome surprise. Why had the detective been tasked with coming to their safe house tonight?

Or more accurately, this morning?

Too many questions without answers.

“Flynn, are you ready to eat breakfast?”

Taylor’s voice had him turning to face her. Suddenly the scent of bacon and eggs made his stomach growl. He wasn’t sure how, but the fire had reached deep within to warm his chilled soul.

Maybe God was trying to let him know everything was okay.

“Thanks, Taylor.” He rose to his feet and crossed the room. From the anxious expression in her blue eyes, he decided she’d been worried about him.

As if he was the one in danger.

“I’d like to say grace,” Taylor said as they took their seats. It seemed strange to be sitting and eating while officers roamed the crime scene outside. But they were stuck in the house until they’d gathered every scrap of evidence there was to be found and cleared the area.

“Sure.” He was surprised when she took his hand beneath the table.

“Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for this food we are about to eat. We also thank You for keeping us all safe in Your care. Especially Flynn. Amen.”

“Amen,” Cassidy said.

His throat was thick with emotion, but he managed to croak out a response. “Amen.”

Taylor held his hand for a long moment before releasing it. He was touched by her concern, even if he wasn’t sure he deserved it. He picked up his fork and dug into the scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.

“Tastes great,” Cassidy said.

“Breakfast is easy.” Taylor smiled and gestured to the pan in the center of the table. “I made plenty if any of the officers outside are hungry and allowed to eat.”

“Usually not while on duty.” He took a bite of his toast. “The good news is that they didn’t arrest me.”

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