Page 79 of Call Back

“I’ll be with you the entire time,” Brady said, resting both hands on my upper arms. He bent a little at his knees, making our eyes level. “And it will be just you and me. No one else, so you won’t feel intimidated or concerned that anyone is watching you.”

“Don’t you need to bring the other police?” I asked. “The guys who collect evidence and take photos? Shouldn’t we tell them?”

“No. I’ll see it with you first, and then I’ll bring them in later.”

“How will you explain finding it? Won’t you need to tell them about me?”

He rose to his full height and kissed my forehead, his lips lingering for several seconds. “Not if I do this right. I’ll have someone call in an anonymous tip or something. I’m going to protect you, Maggie. I promise.”

“But—”

His phone rang in the bedroom, and he gave me a pleading smile. “You trusted me enough to tell me your story. Trust me to protect you in this too.”

Something about it didn’t feel right, but Brady had already admitted that he suspected cops on the force were dirty. I decided to ignore the niggling feeling that suggested he wasn’t on the up and up. “Okay.”

His phone continued to ring, but he asked, “Can you get away this afternoon?”

“Don’t you need to answer your phone?” If someone was calling him this early, it had to be important.

“It can wait. This is important. What do you have going on this afternoon?”

My heart raced at the thought of going back to that house, but it made sense that he would need to see it. I’d told myself there wasn’t any evidence there after all these years, but that had partially been to assuage my guilt because I was too worried about what my stalker would do if I told anyone the truth. “I have the Bible study until twelve thirty. Then I work at Alvin’s until six. He wants me to help him with inventory after we close at five.”

“What about after?”

A shiver ran down my spine. “It gets dark soon after six.”

“I’ll have a flashlight.” His eyes hardened. “And my gun.”

Common sense told me that the killer wouldn’t be there, but I was still terrified.

“I hate to ask you to do this, Maggie, and I wouldn’t if it weren’t important.”

My mouth was dry, but I managed to say, “I know.”

“I’ll be with you every step of the way. I won’t let anything happen to you.” He searched my face. “Do you believe me?”

I nodded, then whispered, “Yes.”

He took my hand and pressed it to his chest. “Thank you for that.”

I nodded again, unsure of what to say.

“I can pick you up from Alvin’s shop if you’d like.”

“Okay. We’ll drive out to Momma’s and hike through the woods behind the house. I’ll need to bring a change of clothes.”

“Is that going to be a problem?” he asked.

“No. I can change at Momma’s.” His phone started to ring again. “I heard her and Tilly say they were going to see a movie. Now go answer your phone.”

“Thank you, Maggie. I know this is hard.” He kissed my forehead again, then headed down the hall to his bedroom, leaving me standing in the living room.

I could think of ten million things I’d rather do than go back to that house, but I’d do it if it helped Brady find the killer. I owed Emily, and so many other people, much more than that.

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