Page 26

“Like Deputy Taylor said,” Jacques continued, “you’ve become a target. He knows where you live and that you’re not leaving the past in the past.”

She held out her hand. “I have a gun.”

Jacques handed it to her. “Yes, but you’re alone here. That makes you an easier target.”

“Then I’ll stay with Yaya,” Danny said. Knowing where he was going with this conversation, her anxiety levels shot up.

“Yaya isn’t a trained protector, nor does she have combat skills.” Jacques smiled at the yoga instructor. “No offense.”

“None taken,” Yaya said. “I know my limits.”

Jacques locked his gaze with hers. “If you stay with her, you’re still in danger, and you put Yaya in danger as well. Your burglar won’t see her as a deterrent.”

Danny knew he was right.

“Danny, the sheriff’s department doesn’t have the staffing to have someone sitting outside your apartment all night,” Shelby said, “but we could have someone do a drive-by periodically through the night.”

Danny shook her head. “No. You’re spread thin enough already.” She squared her shoulders and met Jacques’s gaze. “Remy offered to assign someone to protect me. I’d like to take him up on that offer.”

Jacques released a heartfelt sigh. “Good. I’ll let him know. He can assign someone immediately.”

“Not someone.” She shook her head. “You.”

CHAPTER 7

“I want him to assign you,” Danny said, her chest tight and her insides jittery.

Jacques nodded. “I’m sure it can be arranged.”

“Then you’ll be staying at the boarding house?” Shelby asked.

Danny frowned. Her apartment had only one bedroom and a small sofa barely big enough for two people to sit side by side. It wouldn’t be long enough for a full-grown man to lie down on.

Jacques held Danny’s gaze. “You’ll need to be close by if I’m to provide your protection. I either stay here, or you’ll need to stay at the boarding house.”

Staying in her apartment wasn’t an option. It wasn’t big enough for the two of them. Danny turned to Shelby. “Can I gather some clothing and toiletries without disturbing too much?”

The deputy nodded. “You should pack enough to last a couple of days. After I’ve dusted for prints, you’ll be able to come and go as you please.”

Danny entered her bedroom and carefully opened the dresser drawers and closet, pulling out enough clothing for a couple of nights and stuffing everything into a gym bag. In the bathroom, she gathered the essentials: her toothbrush, hairbrush, shampoo, conditioner, and razor. She tossed in what little makeup she owned, stuffed her jewelry box into the gym bag, grabbed her fire-proof box and emerged into the living room.

“I’m ready,” she said.

“I’ll get right on having the locksmith come,” Yaya assured her. “And if you don’t mind someone in your place, I’ll have someone come in and clean the dust from the fingerprinting.”

Jacques took the heavy fire-proof box. “Come on. You’ve got to be exhausted.”

Danny nodded. “I am.” She gave Shelby and Yaya a weak smile. “Thanks for coming so quickly. I’m sorry to disturb your evening.”

“It’s my job,” Shelby said. “I’ll get right on lifting prints. I’ll need you to stop by the office and give us yours so we can rule them out. Tomorrow is soon enough.”

“I’ll do that,” Danny said and followed Jacques out the door and down the stairs.

“You can ride with me,” he said.

She walked past his SUV to her truck. She wouldn’t leave her truck where the burglar might come back.

“Or not,” Jacques murmured, and said louder, “I’ll follow you to the boarding house.”