Page 21 of Unexpected Danger
“Officers are en route.”
Panic surged through her, and her heart leaped from her throat. Adrenaline coursed through her as she held the phone in one hand and her loaded pistol in the other. She again aimed it at the door.
She readied herself. If he attempted to get in…
But, no, she couldn’t shoot someone, could she?
“No one ever wants to shoot someone. No one ever wants to take a life.”Mr. Brenneman’s words from the situational awareness class rustled through her mind.“But if your life is in danger and you have absolutely no other option, then you might have to do so.”
Her eyes fluttered open. The man was gone, but the fear remained.
The 911 operator informed her the officers had arrived, and Londyn walked through the fog of terror to the front door.
The next day at work, Jasmine and Dustin were, of course, supportive, and Detective Rivas said he’d visit BJ Nuss again.
The prints came back inconclusive. It didn’t surprise Londyn. This guy knew what he was doing well enough to know to wear gloves and disposable paper slippers on his feet.
“I’m here for you, Londyn,” said Dustin, offering her a donut from the box he’d brought to work.
“Thank you. It’s just so scary.”
“This Nuss guy is a lunatic. How did he get into your house?”
“That’s what I’d like to know. The police said there was no forced entry. There’s a padlock button I have to manually press to lock, which I did.”
Dustin patted her on the arm. “Maybe you forgot,” he said quietly.
“No, I know I locked it.” Hadn’t she? Hadn’t she double-checked like she always did?
“If you want, I’ll follow you home tonight and check things out before you go in.”
He was such a sweet guy. “Thank you, but I don’t want you to go through the trouble. One of the officers is going to do a drive-by and a perimeter check.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am, but thank you.”
Dustin moved closer, his breath tickling her cheek. “I care about you, Londyn. I know this hasn’t been easy, but I’m here for you. And if that guy hurts you, he’ll have me to deal with.”
His protective nature should reassure her, so why did she still feel uneasy?
Brodie was always grateful that at Mom’s house, it was all-you-can-eat. He rubbed his stomach after a tasty meal of lasagna, salad, and cookies for dessert.
“Guess what, Uncle Bro?”
“What’s that, Xander?”
“The baby in Mom’s tummy is going to be a boy.”
“Oh, really?” Brodie knew otherwise, but wouldn’t dampen the boy’s enthusiasm. “How do you know?”
Roarke stood behind Mila, nuzzling her neck, and Brodie shoved aside a twinge of envy. That could have been him and Londyn had she not broken his heart.
“Because I don’t want a sister,” declared Xander.
“Why not?”
“Because some of my friends at the homeschool co-op have baby sisters and they cry all the time.” He folded his arms across his chest. “No one can get any sleep.”
