High-Caliber Holiday. Susan Sleeman

about this?” He didn’t give her a chance to respond but lifted her into his arms to carry her over the glass.

      She pushed back and gaped at him. “What are you doing?”

      “The glass. You’ll cut your feet.” As he continued walking, her scent wrapped around him. Soft, feminine. Fresh, like a spring breeze after the rain.

      She scowled. “You could have gotten my shoes instead of taking over and manhandling me.”

      It was his turn to gape. “Manhandling? I’m simply helping you out.”

      The minute they hit the living room she squirmed out of his arms and planted her hands on her hips. “That kind of help I don’t need.” She stormed across the room, moving as far from him as possible.

      He liked the fire in her eyes as she stared at him. Liked her animated expression. Liked that the vivid fear was gone from her face.

      He glanced at his watch. Four minutes remaining until Rossi’s arrival. If he continued to let his interest in her distract him, it’d be four very long minutes.

      Distance and professionalism. That’s what he needed.

      He gestured at the sofa. “Let’s sit down and talk about the rose and picture.”

      He expected an argument, but she perched on the edge of a red chair.

      He took the far end of the sofa, feeling like a giant. He didn’t know how to start this conversation other than bluntly stating his opinion. If she was lying, he’d soon know. “There was no sign of forced entry. Whoever left this surprise either had a key or is a master at picking locks.”

      “As I said, only my parents have a key.” Her tone remained terse and irritated. “I suppose that means their live-in staff would have access, too, but I’ve had little to do with my family since I moved out of their guesthouse three months ago.”

      Live-in staff. Just as he’d suspected. Pampered. He’d have to make sure Rossi knew about the staff. Maybe one of them had a thing for her or resented her. “Would you mind calling your parents to see if their keys are missing?”

      “Mind?” Her eyes narrowed. “Honestly, yes. If my father hears about this, he’ll drive over here and demand I move back home.”

      “At your age?”

      She sighed, a long, drawn-out breath, her eyes lifting to the ceiling. “I think I could be headed for the retirement home, and as his only child, he’d still insist on taking care of me. By his definition, that means keeping me where he can see me.”

      “We need to know if they still have the keys or if they’ve been stolen and the intruder used them to gain access.”

      Her shoulders stiffened. “Then I’ll have to call them, but only after I figure out what to say that doesn’t bring Dad running over here.”

      “Okay, so give it some thought, but be sure you make that call tonight.” Her response was a clipped nod so he moved on. “Is there a building superintendent or manager here, who might have a key?”

      “Obviously the rental company would, but they’re off-site.”

      “They could have had a break-in where keys were stolen, I suppose,” Brady said, thinking aloud. “Though they’d likely inform you of such and replace your locks. Did you ever leave your keys unattended?”

      “Unattended?” She chewed on her lip, something he was beginning to think was a habit. It was full and plump and far too distracting.

      “You know,” he rushed on, though no explanation was necessary. “You left the keys out where someone could get to them when you weren’t watching.”

      She tapped her chin with a slender finger. “I suppose I’ve dropped the ring on my desk at work. Who doesn’t do that? But I’m sure no one took them long enough to get a duplicate made.”

      He wished. “Unfortunately, keys can now be duplicated by sending a digital picture to an online locksmith.”

      “You’re kidding, right? They just have to take a picture?” Fear widened her eyes. She seemed even more vulnerable, tempting him to cross the room to take her hand.

      He planted himself more firmly on the sofa instead. “I’m afraid it’s true. That’s why I need you to think of any place you could’ve set the keys down long enough for someone to snap a picture.”

      She tapped her chin again, her fingernail painted a light pink and perfectly manicured. “Work, like I said. And the gym.”

      “You leave your keys unattended at the gym?”

      “Not really. Just set them on the bench in the locker room as I dress. Or on the counter when signing in and out, but from what you say that’s long enough.” She stared at him. “I’ve left them out at church, too, though I doubt anyone there would do this.”

      “You never know.”

      She arched a perfectly plucked brow. “I doubt it.”

      Fine, she didn’t believe him. Most people wouldn’t, but he saw people at their worst and knew what they were capable of. He also suspected the ex-fiancé had been alone with her keys at some point, but the message didn’t lead Brady to believe this Preston guy had left the note.

      “So how do we find out who might have a key?” she asked.

      We? There’s no we here. “I’ve arranged for Rossi to come over. He’ll be here any minute to take your statement and go from there.”

      “What?” She laughed. “Aren’t you a police officer? Can’t you handle this—wait.” She covered her mouth for a moment, then circled her arms around her waist. “You think this is related to Craig. That it’s not over.”

      He held up his hands. “Slow down. I’m not saying that at all. It’s just a jurisdictional matter. I’m County and you live in Portland’s city limits. It’s the Portland Police Bureau’s responsibility to investigate this incident.”

      “Oh,” she said, sounding disappointed. “Does that mean you’ll be leaving?”

      “I’ll wait for Rossi and make sure you’re in good hands before I leave.”

      As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Morgan startled.

      “Relax. I’m sure it’s Rossi.”

      She started to rise.

      “I’ll let him in.” Brady shot to his feet before she could get up. “Do you have a photocopier?”

      “On my printer, why?”

      “You should make a copy of the threats you received. Then you can give the file to Rossi so he can get started on it ASAP.”

      “Oh, right, okay.”

      Brady headed for the door. She’d have plenty of time to make the copies as he intended to have a conversation with Rossi before the other man entered the apartment. It would be better if this conversation happened without Morgan, because Brady suspected without evidence of an intrusion, Rossi would think Morgan was lying about not having any relationships gone bad. And if Rossi thought the items were from a disgruntled ex-boyfriend, he wouldn’t take this threat seriously, leaving her in potential danger. Relationships gone bad made people say stupid things—sometimes even do stupid things like leaving a rose and note for the former girlfriend—but it was less common for actual physical harm to occur.

      Brady grabbed the doorknob. An image of a man turning the same knob flashed into his brain. A sick man, focused on Morgan. Doing everything necessary to gain her affection. Stalking. Hunting when she was alone. Unprotected.

      What if Rossi blew her off like Brady suspected? Left her to fend for herself?

      Brady couldn’t let that happen. Wouldn’t let that happen despite his desire to put distance between them. This was