Page 39 of Shrouded Past

“I’m dispatching officers your way. I’m coming. Keep the doors locked until we arrive.”

Bryce assured him he would. He shoved the phone back into his pocket and then whirled at a nearby sound.

Piper stood in the kitchen doorway, her hair disheveled from sleep.

He blew out a breath and doubled over.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. Is something happening?”

When his heart rate slowed, he told her how he’d been awakened by something. “It could just be that I'm paranoid, but I’m not taking any chances. I called Will. He’s sending officers over. He’ll be here soon as well.”

She moved closer to him.

“I’ve searched the house. Everything’s in place. It could be nothing.” He glanced out the window.

“But you don’t believe it,” she concluded.

“No, I don’t. Not after everything that’s happened.” Bryce reached for her hand and tugged her close. “We just have to wait for help and let them search around the place. We’re safe inside,” he insisted and hoped he wasn’t lying to her.

She slowly nodded but held onto him. The silence of the house was broken by the hum of the fridge. Bella padding toward them. In the distance, the police officers’ sirens headed their way. The sound had never been more welcome.

Soon, red and blue lights strobed across the front of the house followed by a knock.

“Police officers,” one of the lawmen said.

“Stay here,” Bryce told her and tucked his weapon behind his back. He crossed to the living room and checked the peephole. Two officers waited. Both had been at Liz’s house earlier. Relieved, he pulled the door open.

“Everything okay inside?” the same officer asked.

“Yes, we’re fine,” he assured them.

“Lock up again. We’re going to check around the place.”

Bryce thanked them and then relocked the door. He returned to where Piper stood, fear branded on her face.

“They’re going to look around.” His phone buzzed. Will’s number appeared.

I’m outside.

“Will’s here.” He opened the door and let the chief inside before securing it once more.

“I spoke to my officers. They’re fanning out. I called JT. The team is on their way over.”

Bryce felt relief spread through his body. “Thank you.”

“No problem. I think it’s wise if I station men around the house to be safe.”

Bryce felt better knowing they’d have backup. “I appreciate it.”

“JT told me about the connection between Piper and Wyoming and the death of your wife.”

Bryce swallowed back the familiar feeling of guilt that he’d caused Jenna’s death.

“I have a photo of Edmon. I’m wondering if your friend at the shelter can identify him?”

He showed Bryce the driver’s license photo of Edmon. “So, he at least had a public record of some type.”

“He did. According to his license, and if we can believe all the information on the card is correct, then Edmon Babikov was fifty-eight years old and lived in Willow Wood, Michigan.”

---