Page 103 of Call Back

“What are you and Belinda doing, anyway?” Brady asked. “I realize you’re not staying with me, but I’m still worried about you.”

Oh crap.This was about to get a whole lot harder. I didn’t want him to know about the dress, the ball, any of it. Not yet.

To my surprise, Belinda walked up to us and looped her arm through mine. She beamed up at him. “Roy’s out of town, so we’re having a good old-fashioned slumber party.”

The look on his face suggested he didn’t buy it for a minute, but she’d just given me a safe place to stay tonight. I resisted the urge to throw my arms around her neck and give her a hug.

But Brady wasn’t fazed for long. He lifted an eyebrow in a teasing manner, even though the look in his eyes wasn’t playful. “On a school night?”

Belinda squeezed my arm and leaned her head against mine. “I know. That’s what makes it more fun.”

“Where are you girls staying?”

“My house,” Belinda said with a smile. “Magnolia’s going to help me with a special project for the wedding I’m putting on tomorrow night.” A mischievous grin lit up her face, and she leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Only, she doesn’t know it yet.”

The Brady I’d gotten to know would have laughed at that, but the man in front of us only stared at her. Of course, he had plenty of reason to be stressed, between Emily’s murder and its possible connection to so many others, not to mention I’d just broken up with him. I felt terrible for hurting him, but I wouldn’t be doing either one of us any favors if I stayed.

“I’ll be fine, Brady.”

The fear in his eyes felt genuine, which made me feel guilty for not entirely trusting him. Still, I didn’t want to go out to that house tonight, and now more than before, I didn’t want to stay at his apartment.

“There’s still a murderer out there, Maggie,” Brady said. “I’m worried about you.”

“I have a top-notch security system, Detective Bennett,” Belinda assured him. “And I have a marble rolling pin I can use in self-defense should it come to it.”

“Magnolia’s life isn’t something to joke about,” he said in a harsh tone.

“Is there something new I should know about?” I asked as fear wormed its way through my gut.

“No. But I’m still very concerned.”

“I’m concerned too,” Belinda said. “I’m sorry I made light of a serious situation, but I assure you, my home is like a fortress. My husband tends to lean on the side of paranoia. We have cameras outside, double deadbolts, and even a panic room.”

I shot her a look of disbelief, sure she was joking, but she was dead serious.

She and Brady began stare-off number two, and finally Brady caved. “Please check in with me tonight. And keep your phone with you so I can check on you.”

“I will.”

I knew I should feel guilty for ending things with him, but all I could feel was relief, not just that I’d broken up with him, but that he wasn’t watching over my shoulder. He was a police detective and I knew I should trust him, but my gut told me to be wary.

I wasn’t sure what to make of that.

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