Page 40 of Finding Silence
I let my gaze drift to the river, where I’d love to be fishing with her again instead of worrying about her safety.
“I mean in the office,” she clarifies. “Or even actively searching for new recruits,” she adds with a smile.
“Once we have your situation under control, I will.”
I can tell from her reaction she’s not a fan of that answer.
“But wouldn’t my situation get under control faster if the sheriff’s department had some help?” she points out stubbornly.
I slide my hands around the side of her neck and bend down a little so we’re eye to eye.
“Not if that means leaving you vulnerable,” I explain.
I was half expecting anger, but not the burst of laughter exploding from her mouth. It immediately makes me want to kiss her again. How did I get infatuated with this woman so fast?
“Have you met Grace?” she asks, puzzling me. “She’s been in charge of my security for almost twenty years. Besides, I’m sure she’s armed. She usually is.”
Armed? That piques my interest because, unless she has a valid concealed carry license for Washington or one that is recognized here, she would be breaking the law.
“Maybe I should have a chat with her,” I announce, already moving to the back door.
“I’m pretty sure she’s licensed,” Phil calls after me, easily guessing the direction of my thoughts.
That I appear to be so transparent to her should concern me, but instead it gives me a warm feeling inside. The deep level of understanding it conveys is something I’ve missed for a damn long time.
But it doesn’t stop me from marching inside to have a word with her manager.
Chapter 13
Brant
* * *
Who’d have thought that thin rake of a woman was a police officer for the San Francisco PD many years ago?
She explained to me she did some moonlighting as security at a small concert venue, where she met Phil almost two decades ago. At the time, the band was about to embark on a worldwide tour, and they had a management company taking care of everything for all four band members, but being the only woman, Phil wanted someone who’d look out for her specifically.
I’d say that was a smart choice on Phil’s part, and it apparently paid off for both, seeing as their working relationship survived the band’s breakup.
Knowing the woman had successfully protected Phil for almost twenty years, and after Phil insisted, it was easier for me to hop in my Bronco and join Savvy at the sheriff’s station.
“I’m surprised you’re here,” she comments when I walk into her office.
“Thought you might need a hand.”
“What about Phil?” she asks pointedly.
“Looked after. Her manager is a former cop, did you know that?”
“She mentioned it when I spoke to her first thing this morning.”
I take a seat across from her desk and notice she looks exhausted.
“So, what can I do? Put me to work.”
She groans and presses the heels of her hands in her eyes.
“I can’t even think straight anymore, Daddy. I feel like a squirrel on crack, running in twenty different directions, trying to keep up with the influx of information. So much is happening and I feel like I can’t get ahead of it. I had a list of stuff to follow up on after yesterday I was going to get KC to help me with, and then this morning Sanchuk called in sick, so KC had to fill in for him on the regular rotation. And to top it off, we now have a poisoned goat, a possible attempted murder, and a moving box full of the most disturbing fan mail you can imagine to sort through.”
