Page 75 of Safe With Me

“I was. Thanks again.” I chuckled and ended the call. It would be tough to wait for the prints, but we could deal with this. I’d rebuild every piece of furniture Kathy and Terry had if they installed cameras.

“What was that all about?”

I jumped when I found Amber behind me, eyeing me as I stuffed my phone back into my pocket.

“Big case?”

“I had Jude check for prints on Lila’s car this morning.”

“Why would he dust for prints if it was just the kids acting up last night? Does she have anybody coming after her or something?”

I’d known Amber for most of my life, and while I’d told Lila it was good if people knew, she wouldn’t want it broadcast, and neither did I.

My family knew, and Jude and Keith knew. Until things escalated, which I hoped to God they wouldn’t, I’d keep it to only those who needed to know and be aware.

“It’s standard,” I lied. “Are you almost finished with school? This semester is it, right?”

“Almost,” she said, leaning against the wall, thankfully accepting the change in subject. “If I can pass all my credits, I will finish by the January semester.”

“That’s great. We should all go and celebrate then.”

“Oh, if you’re not busy, sure,” she said, a wry smile lifting her lips.

“I won’t be busy. Graduating is a big deal.”

“Amber,” Sally, Aaron’s floor manager, called from one of the bays. “You’re all done.”

“Time to study and then go to work. The fun life I lead,” she joked and shifted to head over. “And listen, I’m sorry if I madeyou feel guilty. I’m in the throes of my own pity party and need to snap out of it. Especially when one of my oldest friends is in his first official relationship.”

“I suppose I am,” I said as a smile ripped across my mouth.

“And it doesn’t scare you? How you’ve grown, Russo.” She pressed a dramatic hand to her chest.

“Imagine that,” I said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “So, we’re good?”

“Of course. Come by for a drink this week. We can catch up a little more,” she said, squeezing my arm before heading to the main office.

Aaron still looked like he was in the thick of it when I dialed my father.

“Hey, did Jude find out anything?”

“Nope,” I told my father. “The prints will take a while, but it could have been random.”

“I spoke to Keith. He told me the station looked like a principal’s office this morning. A fair-sized bunch of punks were on the prowl in your neighborhood last night.”

“And it never relieved me before now.” I coughed out a laugh. “Or almost. I’ll be happier when we confirm one of those jackasses did this. How is she?”

“Quiet. Been engrossed in the books since she came in. I hate how she’s been keeping this to herself all this time and never said a word,” he whispered.

“I know. It took her a bit to tell me too.”

“But she did. I’m glad she has you.” I heard the smile in his voice. “And she really does, doesn’t she?”

“Yes. She really does. I’ll be over as soon as Aaron and the guys are done. Think you could give her a couple of hours off today?”

“Absolutely. And Mike, I’d never fire her over this or want her away from my family because of what some psycho is putting her through.”

“I told her that this morning.”

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