Page 25 of Nicole's Shelter

“Here we go,” he said, driving around a gleaming service station and parking in a reserved spot near the back door. “Out of the car, straight up the stairs, make yourself at home.”

“You’re not coming in?”

“I’m going to top off the tank first. Go on.” His expression was mild, but she knew there was no point in arguing and honestly, she needed a bathroom in the worst way.

Chapter 6

Rick watched until she was safely in the apartment before he sent a text to his buddy inside. In less than thirty seconds, one of Bart’s employees came outside and sat on the steps to keep watch.

He felt like he was making progress with Nicole, but he didn’t feel like pushing his luck.

Once the gas tank was full, he parked again at the reserved spot and then went in the store to see his old buddy.

Karl Bartholomew was a bear of a man who’d been both mentor and friend on many an operation until a rough landing on a routine Airborne training exercise ended his military career. He’d packed it in and bought this place, turning it into one of the busiest hubs on Interstate 95.

“You look rough, man,” Bart said with a one armed hug. “Got what you need?” He held out a mug of coffee, Bart’s personal blend: hot and strong.

“Getting there. Thanks for the assist.”

“Anytime.” Bart rested his beefy forearms on the counter. “How’s Eva?”

“The same.”

Bart’s notoriously big laughter boomed through the space. “Thanks for the warning. Stock up on anything and everything and I’ll invoice the office.”

Rick dared another sip of the coffee. It burned away the cobwebs of a restless night. “If your guy is good out there, I’ll just send a quick report and grab a shower down here.”

“My place is nicer.”

“I know.”

Bart held up his hands in surrender. “It’s your business.”

Rick refused to voice any of his concerns. He didn’t even know what they were. Job first, feelings second. The theory had carried him safely through many dangerous missions.

“You get any federal types through here?”

Bart narrowed his gaze. “DEA mostly. I’m on a thoroughfare, y’know. That a problem for you?”

“No.” Rick wanted to rub at the tension behind his eyes, but kept his hands quiet on the mug. “Marshals maybe.”

“Shit,” Bart hissed. “You sure?”

Rick gave a one shoulder shrug. It didn’t matter what you thought of the people involved, if you stuck with the facts you got done with a job faster and with more accuracy. He wished like hell Nicole would give him the facts. “Any new reports on her?”

“Not yet.”

Well that was something. He pulled out his iPad. “Need to send these details up the line.”

“Paperwork will kill us all,” Bart said, refilling the coffee mug. “Except Eva.”

Rick sent an email to his boss about the case he’d been sent here to support. His investigation on that front was all but done since he expected to find just what they were looking for at the bank this morning. He got on a roll theorizing the current case and found himself postulating about Nicole’s situation. Damn, but he was tired. He deleted it and simplified the message.

“You have a problem. Identification is assumed, based on location of the body. Extensive damage to face and hands means official ID is pending. Will have lobby security report by mid-morning.

Busy night. The friend is safe after fire in building. Interview pending.”

He sent the message and checked the time. He wanted Nicole to have space enough to clean up and relax, but if he stayed away too long, she’d probably worry. Or, more likely, she’d try to escape with one of the many truckers out there getting an early start. Well, that was why he’d asked for the kid to sit on the steps and keep watch.

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