Yep. Good thing he wasn’t on her case.
Seth unclenched his teeth and eased back a step, putting some more distance between them. “We’re dealing with a very common vehicle. Things could take time.”
Paige deflated a little. “I guess it wasn’t much of a lead after all.”
“It’s a start and will get the ball rolling.” Seth came back, adding, “Every clue matters.” At least to him. Although he was no longer running Paige’s investigation.
Her lips quirked upward, and she brightened again.
The knot of uneasiness in Seth’s gut ballooned into a boulder at Paige’s easy smile. Even in his attempt to encourage her, he worried she wasn’t concerned enough about her own safety. Instead, she focused on saving her brother—at all costs. Seth sighed, folding his arms over his chest. “In the meantime, Paige, you should consider going back to Durham to lie low for a while, at least until after Trey’s trial.”
“You’re kidding,” Paige said, a bewildered expression on her face as if she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. “Unless my brother’s case will be reopened and the investigation into Madison’s murder gets underway again, I won’t be going anywhere.”
Seth unfolded his arms, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his bomber jacket, wishing she’d be reasonable. “Under the present circumstances, I don’t think it’s a good idea to hang around and wait on that possibility.”
Paige looked at him, her brows scrunched tight. “Someone in Boone obviously wants me dead. Shouldn’t that alone cast some doubt on my brother’s guilt? At least enough to get Madison’s murder investigation rolling again?”
Seth shifted his weight with a deep breath, an ache settling in his chest as he thought of a more probable explanation for Paige’s attacks. Vengeance.
Tempers flared back to life among Boone residents at the news of Trey’s upcoming trial. Everyone in town was talking about it. And what better way to get back at Trey Becker than by hurting his sister?
“Paige, we’ll need more evidence to cast doubt on what we’ve already collected. What I’m more concerned about right now is the possibility of someone trying to hurt you as a means to get back at your—” He didn’t get a chance to fully explain before Paige’s expression morphed from bewilderment to red-hot anger.
“I can’t believe this,” she snapped, shaking her head, a frown marring her beautiful face. “I doubt there’s anything that would convince you that my brother’s not guilty.”
Not true. All that was needed was evidence. But Seth didn’t bother with a response. They’d beat that dead horse enough already. “Paige, I’d like you to consider leaving town. I don’t think Trey would want you to sacrifice your safety in his defense.”
Paige didn’t flinch at the comment, nor did she respond. Instead she merely looked at her watch and then back at him. “I need to get going. It’s getting late, and I’ve taken up enough of your time. I appreciate you looking out for me today.”
Before he could respond, she was halfway down the row of vehicles, heading to hers.
Frustration roared up in him. Wrangling it back, he watched as she climbed into her rental sedan. He had to stop himself from going after her. He knew nothing he could say would change her mind about anything.
Seth headed down the parking garage stairs to Art’s Bistro, where his takeout order was ready and waiting for him. Although, his appetite was no longer raging—concern for Paige had taken care of that.
God if You’re still out there, watch over Paige. The prayer came out nowhere, surprising even him. He hadn’t talked to God in years, but Seth hoped He was listening.
Paige was going to need it.
Something startled Paige out of a sound sleep.
For a moment she lay stock-still, heart racing, listening. Distant thunder rumbled, and relief settled in.
Stop being paranoid. Paige sighed and rolled to her side. As she snuggled more comfortably beneath the down comforter, she glanced at the bedside clock. Eight fifteen.
She pushed aside her blankets and forced her still-achy body out of bed. Flipping on the light, a yellow glow flooded the room. So much for getting an early start.
She went straight to her suitcase, and as she started to unzip it, she caught her reflection in the dresser mirror, realizing she’d fallen asleep in her clothes.
Lord, help me get it together.
A creak and then something thumped, and she froze again.
Was someone in the house?
The floor creaked again, raising the hair on the back of her neck. She launched toward the bedroom door, pushing it shut and twisting the lock.
Her mind raced, keeping time with her thundering heart. She needed to do something. Call someone. Nine-one-one. No, Brett Ralston.
She spun back to the bedside and snatched her new phone from the side table, punching the one number on her list of contacts.
Teeth clenched, she pressed the handset against her ear, clasping tighter on each unanswered ring. Lord, let him answer.
A series of dull thumps. Footsteps!
A surge of panic fired through her. The ringing stopped, and Brett’s voice mail picked up. “Sorry I missed you—”
She slammed the disconnect key and then fumbled with her phone, trying to dial 911.
A faint thud sounded, then another, followed by an electrifying rumble as lightning flashed against the closed window blinds.
Fear exploded through Paige as a frantic scream tangled in her lungs. She swallowed against her suddenly dry throat as her knees buckled. She planted her hand on the bedside table to keep from toppling over, prayers flying heavenward. Lord, help me.
“Paige?”
Blinking, Paige’s breath caught. She shoved the phone back on her ear. “Brett?”
“Paige. Are you okay?”
Paige swung around on her toes, and her eyes riveted to the closed door, the cell phone dangling from her fingers. “Brett? Is that you?”
“Yes. It’s me.”
She rushed to the door then halted. What was Brett doing there? Before she could fully ponder the question, he answered it for her.
“I stopped by to see how you were doing.”
Her confidence in Brett continued to soar. “Thank you—” She stopped, jarred by another thought. “Brett, how did you get inside the condo?”
“I knocked, and when you didn’t answer I tried the door and it was unlocked.” His deep voice carried through the wood door.
Brett’s words rattled around her head. Unlocked? She’d made two trips to her car for groceries, but could she have been so distracted she’d forgotten to lock the door?
Her chest tightened. This ordeal with her brother was making her crazy.
“Paige. Are you okay?”
Without answering, she twisted the lock and pulled open the door. Breath froze in her lungs as Brett appeared in her line of sight, his deep-set eyes narrowing as he stared down at her, a black revolver clasped in his hand.
“You really need to be more careful about locking your doors.” Brett holstered his gun, and she breathed again.
“You’re right.” She nodded, hand to her heart as if she could slow the frantic beat. “I’ve