Page 16 of Nicole's Shelter

Ah, finally, one question answered. When she was lying or evading, the eye contact was sketchy and she rubbed her left thigh. He’d wanted to catch her off guard, with something he definitely knew the answer to. “It’s a logical train of thought,” he said, as if they were chatting about nothing more important than the weather. “You set the fire, so you knew it was safe to go in for the neighbor’s iguana. And it seems like you’ve been trying to leave a trail for someone—arson investigators, maybe—to follow.”

“It was hardly safe in Mrs. Beaumont’s apartment.”

“Or out of it. The ladder,” he added when she gave him a look.

“Fire and gangs are unpredictable things.”

He let that go as sorrow clouded her eyes. He knew that look of regret, that lingering sadness over wrongs that couldn’t be righted. He’d seen it in the mirror many a morning.

Inexplicably, Rick wanted to reassure her, but without knowing the problem, any words that came to mind felt trite. Climbing into a burning building to rescue a neighbor’s pet wasn’t the act of a selfish criminal. But honest, innocent people didn’t just up and run when bad things happened.

He’d done enough surveillance in various capacities around the world to recognize that decent people were mostly the same. The cultures, clothing, and phrases changed, but the inherent patterns were there underneath.

Nicole was a good person with seriously troubling baggage.

“Whatever it is, I want to help.” He hoped he hadn’t said it aloud, but her startled expression proved otherwise. The words hovered over the pizza box and he couldn’t take them back if he wanted to. He didn’t want to. “Whatever it is.”

“What if it’s avoiding an arson rap? Might be my third strike.”

He laughed until he couldn’t breathe. Damn if he didn’t like this woman. “Even then. But I know better.”

She pulled another slice of pizza from the box, sliding it onto his plate. “I appreciate the offer, but this is something I need to do alone.”

“That’s a hard road, Nicole.”

She slid him a long look. “Says a man who’s been down it?”

He nodded, hoping she wouldn’t push for details he wasn’t ready to share. “Even the ugly days are better with a friend riding shotgun. Take that deal.”

“If I don’t?”

“You’ll regret it.” As would he, because he’d only follow her anyway.

“A threat isn’t the best way to win me over.”

“It was a promise.” He winked to soften the statement. “What would win you over? I saved your life, or at least a bad ankle sprain, at the fire, covered your exit from the airport. Saved you from death by countertop during the whole ‘red stuff’ issue.” He leaned back in his chair and spread his hands wide. “What else can I do?”

She shook her head, but he saw the twitch of her lips as she fought a smile. “Are you always like this?”

“Never.” At least, he hadn’t been this way with anyone since his wife died. Around the office, people probably thought he was mute since he usually only spoke with Rick or Eva directly.

“Stick with me through tomorrow and I’ll help you go wherever you need to go.” He could tell she was tempted. “I can’t tell Allie you’re okay if I don’t know you’re okay.”

“That’s a low blow,” she grumbled, blotting her lips with the napkin. “Fine. We’ll do it your way, as long as we’re clear I am totally against this.”

“Consider it clear.” He reached to clean up, but she stopped him, her long fingers light and soft as rain on his arm.

“I’ll clean up while you make the bed.” She tipped her head to the sofa.

“Sure.” He flipped on the television while they worked on separate tasks. When Nicole’s name carried out into the room, he swore.

“How did they latch onto you so fast?”

“Turn it up.”

She joined him and they stood there gawking at the report. Her hand flew to her mouth as the image from her work ID badge popped up on the screen.

“They didn’t waste any time,” Rick groused.

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