Chapter 15

FIFTEEN

“WE FOUND A TASER, rope, and duct tape.”

Briggs ran a hand through his hair and gripped the back of his neck. He met the eyes of Detective Michael Morgan. “They were going to abduct her.”

The words soured in his stomach, and Briggs immediately wanted to take them back, make them not true, but from the grave expression on the detective’s face and his own intuition, they were the terrifying reality.

Or the possibility. He didn’t want to think about what could’ve happened if he’d not been there. The alarm system wasn’t connected to the windows in the house, so when he heard the glass break, he immediately rushed to the panel and triggered the alarm.

His attention was fixed on Lahela sitting on her couch in sweatpants and a T-shirt, cocooned in the same blanket he’d been sleeping under a little over an hour ago. Officer Sandberg was there talking to her, but she looked ... detached, like she was in shock.

Briggs balled his hands into fists. “Are you checking Trevor West?”

“We’ve got an officer with him now,” Detective Morgan said. “But West says he was asleep and nowhere near here. Look”—he tucked his pen into his pocket—“our crime scene techs have collected all of the evidence and will run it for fingerprints. We’ll check them against Trevor’s and see if we get a match. I’m sharing this with you because I know your background and I know you can explain to her”—his gaze traveled to Lahela—“why we’re going to do everything we can, but that it might not be ... enough.”

Briggs gave a tight nod, understanding from the police perspective he was familiar with. But now as he stood on the other side of the badge—the victim’s side—the only thing he understood was that someone out there came to Lahela’s home tonight intending to harm her.

“Our K9 unit is going to keep working, but with the winds tonight, I don’t know if they’ll pick up a scent.”

They’re trying . Briggs blew out a breath. “And the cameras?” He knew the answer, but he had to hope. “Will your techs be able to enhance the images?”

“We’ll do our best.”

None of the cameras Briggs installed were able to catch a clear enough image of the shadowed figure as they approached or left the house. Maybe Lahela’s neighbor’s cameras caught something.

A knock sounded and he turned to see Daphne walking through the front door in her Army uniform. She beelined it to Lahela and wrapped her in a hug.

“If she plans on staying here, I’ll have some officers patrol the neighborhood for the rest of the night.” Detective Morgan handed Briggs a business card. “Let me know what she plans to do.”

Once the detective stepped outside, Lahela lifted her vacant gaze up to Briggs. “What did they say?”

“They’re going to test the evidence for fingerprints, look into the video, and they’ve got the K9 out there working. They’re doing everything they can.”

“But it won’t be enough, will it?”

Had she overheard his conversation with the detective? He dropped onto the couch next to her and laced his fingers through hers. “The police are doing everything they can, and I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.” Lahela had inched her way into his life and heart, and without warning, he realized he’d completely fallen for her. She had stirred dormant pieces of him to blazing life, and he meant it when he said he’d do anything to protect her.

“We’re all going to help,” Daphne said. She put a hand on Lahela’s arm. “I know you didn’t want to, but I called Kekoa.”

Lahela’s entire body stiffened as she swung her gaze to Daphne. “You did what?”

“Someone came here to hurt you, Lahela. He needed to know, your family needs to know.”

“I told you not to call him.” Lahela’s face filled with color. “What did you tell him?”

“Nothing,” Daphne said. “He didn’t answer, but someone named Lyla answered and—”

“You had no right! You heard what the police said, there’s nothing anyone can do—”

“There’s nothing the police can do. But the same isn’t true about what Kekoa and his team can do. They can help.”

Briggs sat there confused. He knew Kekoa worked for a private contract agency, but he didn’t know the details of what they did. If they could help, why was Lahela hesitant?

“I don’t need their help.” She pulled her hand free from Briggs and stood. “I knew this was a mistake. I never should’ve stayed here. I should’ve moved back home and then none of this would’ve happened.”

Move back home? Lahela had wanted to leave? His chest heaved at the idea. He rose. “Lahela, it’s going to be okay.”

“No, it’s not, Briggs.” Her tone softened, and when she looked at him, her eyes were filled with tears. “Look at all of this trouble I’ve caused.”

“You didn’t cause—”

“Excuse me.” Detective Morgan entered the living room and held his cell phone up. “Ms. Young, do you have your cell phone?”

Lahela looked around and then went to her bedroom and returned with her phone. “I have two missed calls from the hospital.”

“Here.” Detective Morgan handed her his phone.

Briggs watched as Lahela took the call. He thought his stomach couldn’t be twisted into a tighter knot, but the second that alarm washed over her pale face, he was wrong.

Lahela handed the detective his phone and turned to Briggs. “Nancy was in a car accident.” Her voice cracked. “Someone tried to kill her.”