Page 14 of Be Very Quiet

“I’ll be vigilant.” She looked at him, and it was the authentic Liliana, not the mask she’d worn moments ago. “It was nice to see you, Luca. You look good. Those frigid Minnesota winters and catching bad guys agree with you, although I’m guessing you’re a detective now?”

“I was a detective, but I’m not on the force anymore. And I don’t live in Minnesota.”

Liliana’s eyebrows arched. “You don’t?”

“No.” Luca stood, reluctant to share his life with her when she was doing everything possible to push him away. “Liliana, listen, there’s a genuine threat. It might be Rader; it might not. Until we know for sure, just . . . be careful.” His cell buzzed, and he checked the screen, smiling at the information. He looked at her again and schooled his features. “I’ll be in town for a few days. You have my number if anything happens or you want to talk.” He headed for the door.

“Luca.”

He turned.

“It really is good to see you.”

“You too, Liliana. Be safe.”

Chapter Six

Luca had no intention of leaving Liliana alone. He sat in his SUV and waited for her to exit. He’d follow her home. Little did she know, BeBe had rented him the condo across the hall from her. It was blind luck that it had been up for sale. This way he’d be able to keep an eye on her. She probably wouldn’t appreciate it if she found out, but he didn’t care. Ted Rader might be back, and there was no way Luca would let that psycho anywhere near her.

He had to admit he’d never anticipated her reaction to his arrival. He’d known she’d be surprised, and hoped she’d be pleased. But the ice queen act wasn’t what he’d expected. At all. He absently rubbed his chest.

Luca suddenly sat up in his seat. Liliana was walking out with a man, chatting it up. He snapped a picture, hoping to identify the stranger. Was this man her boyfriend? The burger he’d grabbed leaving the airport soured in his stomach.

Liliana pushed a button on a key fob to a silver SUV. She tossed her bag into the back seat. The man opened the driver’s side door and held it for her. It was wishful thinking, but Liliana looked annoyed with him. The man said something, and she shook her head. A conversation ensued, tempting Luca to sneak out and eavesdrop. He needed to know what was going on.

Finally, the man nodded and stepped back while Liliana climbed inside and closed the door. With a wave, she drove away. The man watched as she exited the parking lot.

Luca was torn between waiting to see where the man went or following Liliana. Since she was his objective, he pulled out and tailed her.

The congested streets made keeping her vehicle in view difficult, but Luca managed. Twenty-five minutes later, she pulled into an underground garage beneath her condo complex. Luca eased down the ramp, watching as she angled into a reserved space. He found a spot designated for visitors and had to duck down when she exited her vehicle and glanced around. Good. That meant she was always aware of her surroundings. She took the elevator instead of the stairs. Another smart move. Someone could be waiting to ambush her on the next flight up.

Luca gave her time to check her mailbox and proceed to her unit before he grabbed his bag and headed to the lobby. A man wearing a brown security uniform sat behind a desk. He looked as if he’d come to work straight from third-period history class at the local high school. His eyes narrowed when Luca approached.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m renting a condo and was told to pick up the keys here.”

“Name?”

Luca gave Warren—according to his nametag—the information, and he typed it into a computer. While Warren gathered the necessary forms, Luca examined the lobby. He didn’t see any surveillance equipment, which irritated him. It was a law in all states that security cameras in any apartment complex had to be clearly visible. There could be no hidden cameras, but it appeared as if his structure had none at all.

“How’s the security in the building?”

Warren looked up from his computer with a frosty glare. “I’m trained.”

“I wasn’t suggesting otherwise. I meant cameras, fire detectors, that kind of thing.”

“There are cameras outside the building. Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors on every floor are serviced regularly. Owners are responsible for maintaining, repairing, or replacing alarms inside their unit.”

“No equipment inside the lobby?”

“No.”

“Have you had any trouble? Theft, break-ins, assaults?”

“I’m trained,” Warren repeated with a growl.

Geez. Luca wasn’t getting off on the right foot with the man. “I’m not questioning your competence, Warren. I was merely inquiring about the safety of the tenants.”

---