Page 8 of Micah

“Am I going with you?”

“No—”

“Why not? What am I supposed to do here alone?”

“Patsy, you can’t go with me. You’re much safer here. Another agent, Coby Romero,will check in with you. He’s a friend of mine and a damn good agent. You make sure you check his ID before you let him in though.” Micah reached for another slice of pizza.

“I’m not letting anyone in.”

“You’ll let him in, or he’ll think something’s wrong. Coby will make sure nothing is.”

Patsy wasn’t happy about being left alone. It was going to be hard enough during the day, but to sleep in the house alone—she just couldn’t imagine how scared she’d be. She never should have testified. If she hadn’t, she’d be enjoying her life in Dry River.

“What did you tell Roni about being away?” Micah seemed to read her mind.

“I told her I had a family emergency and didn’t know how long I’d be gone. She was fine with it and told me I had a job waiting when I returned. I really miss it.”

“I’ll try to get you back to it as soon as I can. I’ll be leaving very early tomorrow. You probably won’t even be up but feel free to make yourself at home. I’m hoping to be home tomorrow night or the next day. Do not leave this house alone. If you need to go somewhere, call Coby. Use the home phone. Your cell phone can be tracked.”

“Tracked?” The pizza was suddenly heavy in her belly and Patsy was sure she was going to be sick.

Micah narrowed his eyes at her. “You didn’t use it, did you?’

“No. Bella thinks I’m in Oregon. Same as Roni.”

Micah gave a terse nod. “Good. I’ll leave Coby’s number by the phone, along with my cell number. He’ll do whatever is necessary to help you.”

He set his plate on the coffee table and stood.

“Come with me, and I’ll show you how to set the alarm on the house. I never really use it but if you set it and it goes off, the police will be here in no time. I’ll write Coby’s number and mine down, and then I’m going to look at some cases involving White for a while. Should be bedtime by then.”

“All right.”

She set her plate down too, and followed him to the security pad by the front door on the wall. The beautiful mahogany door was full glass with an ornately wrought iron scroll running through it. Micah showed her how to set the alarm for nighttime and what numbers to enter.

“Make sure you turn it off when you go outside.”

“I thought you said I couldn’t go anywhere?”

“You can go out back to the yard but nowhere else, unless Coby is with you.”

“How about that hot tub? Can I use that?”

Micah’s eyebrows shot up. “You saw my hot tub?”

Patsy wanted to kick herself.

“Uh, yeah. I stepped out the door today and saw it.”

God was going to strike her dead for lying. She knew he was staring at her and she refused to meet his eyes. He was an FBI agent for heaven’s sake. He’d know she was lying. She looked at him and saw him staring at her.Damn it! He knew!

“Okay. I’ll be in my bedroom—the last door on the right. But then you probably already know that.” He grinned and walked away from her stopping to pick up his plate and beer along the way.

Patsy dropped her head back and groaned. Of course, he had to know she’d snooped around his home.Ugh! So stupid, Patsy!

****

The next morning, Micah backed the Tahoe out of the driveway and drove to the airport. He wasn’t able to use the jet that belonged to the FBI since this wasn’t a sanctioned assignment. He knew he shouldn't use the Tahoe either,but he worried he might be too obvious in the Vette if anyone was watching him. Plus, he didn't like the idea of leaving the Vette at the airport.This was all his doing, so he had to buy his own ticket to Oregon.The State Penitentiary was in Salem, and with the airport in Portland, he had almost an hour drive to the prison. Close to a six-hour flight from Cheyenne to Portlandawaited him. Damn. It was going to be a long day.Worse, he wouldn’t be able to return tonight either. He would have to wait until tomorrow afternoon. He just hoped Patsy would be all right alone. Coby would check on her, but Micah knew she had to be scared. No matter how tough she seemed. No one would be comfortable knowing a murderer had them on his radar. He’d already asked Coby to get some men outside the house to keep an eye out.

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