Page 28 of Safe Haven

“I made it pretty clear he’s always up to something, so that doesn’t surprise me.” I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. “Anything else?”

“Of course there’s something else, dick. You told me not to call you unless there was an emergency. I’m calling to tell you that apparently Audrey’s ex has a whole lot of unmarked vans leaving his house, and the number of people walking through his door doesn’t seem to match up with the number of people walking out of it.”

Okay. So maybe there is a small emergency. “Have we identified anyone who’s gone in but didn’t come out?”

“We’re working on it.” Isaac types in the background. “Your private investigator friend was taking pictures for us, but it started to seem like Audrey’s ex was getting suspicious someone was watching him. He backed off to make sure he didn’t end up leaving in an unmarked van.”

“Probably a smart decision.” I don’t like what I’m finding out. It’s got me worried for Audrey. “Do you think he’s trying to cover his tracks? Maybe got worried someone’s going to look into what he’s been doing?”

“I’d say it’s pretty fucking likely he’s figured out somebody’s trying to get him in trouble.” Isaac sighs. “We’ve been trying to find someone with the Memphis police we can get information from, but it’s been a little tricky to figure out who would be a reliable informant.”

“Fuck.” I rub my eyes, frustrated with the way things are playing out.

I’m glad Shadow left Alaska. It was cold as fuck up there. Isolated and dark all the damn time. But in Fairbanks, we knew everyone. We’d been there long enough to establish relationships with all the local PDs. If we had issues, they were ready to help and easy to handle.

Here? Those foundations haven’t yet been built, so when we do need help from law enforcement, we have to sift through the dirt to find the diamond.

“What’s the plan for me and Audrey then? Is it time for us to go yet?” I’m getting itchy. I don’t like sitting here waiting for someone to make a move.

“Not yet. The PI was able to feed Trevor some bullshit and thinks he convinced him Audrey’s not doing anything that would causeissues. Her suddenly disappearing would go against that and cause all sorts of fucking problems for everybody.”

Not for her. I could keep her safe. Hide her away where no one would find her. I don’t give a shit what happens to anybody else. They can take care of themselves.

“I do have backup headed your way now. Luca and Owen will be coming in and staying two minutes from where Audrey lives, so you’ll have someone close by. They’re also going to conduct surveillance of her apartment, making sure there’s no unexpected issues.”

“I don’t like this plan.” I never argue with orders. Never go against what I’m told to do. Isaac and Intel know better than I do in just about every situation.

But leaving Audrey here like a sitting duck makes me want to peel my skin off.

“You’re not alone, but it’s the best option we have available until we have more information.” Isaac is right, and I fucking hate it.

I hate that I can’t do what I want—what I know is best for Audrey’s mental and possibly physical well-being—because we don’t have the rules for the game we’re playing yet.

“Fine, but the minute I think she’s in danger, I’m gone. I won’t risk her. She’s come too far and been through too much.”

“Understood.” Surprisingly, Isaac doesn’t argue with me. “Just keep me in the loop.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” I’m not making any promises. Not right now. Not when I’ve just heard people are going into her ex-husband’s house and not walking back out.

“Call me the second you know more.” Fuck emergencies only. I’m starting to feel like everything in this shit show qualifies as an emergency.

“Will do.” Isaac hangs up, and I turn to where Audrey sits.

“That doesn’t sound good.” Her skin is pale but her voice doesn’t waver. “That sounds like Trevor is trying to make his problems disappear.” She pulls in a deep breath. “And I definitely qualify as a problem.”

“Not necessarily. Hopefully he thinks you’re scared enough to keep your mouth shut.” I crouch down in front of her, resting my hands on her thighs. “Isaac is right. If we run, it will be obvious you’re expecting him to come after you and he’ll assume that’s because you’ve been talking to people.” I hesitate, knowing it’s going to be difficult for her to come to terms with what I’m about to say. “And there will come a point where you have to talk to people and tell them what’s going on.”

I hold my breath, worried she’s going to crumble in front of me, because I know how scared she’s been of reporting her ex’s crimes.

But, proving how strong she really is, Audrey sits straighter, determination hardening her pretty face. “Find someone trustworthy in the police department, and I’ll tell them everything.”

That was going to be the tricky part—finding someone we can trust in the Memphis police. Because the longer I sit on it, the more it seems like Trevor has them in his pocket. Generally, reports like the one Audrey made, even anonymous ones, are taken seriously. Investigated to some degree.

My brain trips over that theory though, because it still doesn’t make sense. “Did you call the Memphis police directly to report Trevor?”

Audrey nods. “A few times, but nothing ever seemed to come of it.”

“If Trevor does have someone in the department watching out for him and keeping him from getting into trouble, wouldn’t they have relayed those reports to him?” If they had, Audrey would’ve been the first person he went after and retaliation.

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