Chapter 20

TWENTY

Once they were inside, the officer pulled around to the front of her home and took up guard duty. Kenzie went to the kitchen while Cole went to the den and placed a call to the team. She really didn't want to hear the conversation and was mentally preparing herself to take an extended leave until the guy was caught.

While he spoke via what sounded like a Zoom call, she put together a snack of cheese and crackers, tuna, ham, turkey, and crostini. It would hold them until they could order in some decent food. Like steak and potatoes.

He stepped into the kitchen just as she put the charcuterie board on the table. "Looks great."

"I don't cook a lot, but I can make a mean board." She shrugged. "I needed something to do while I waited to hear my fate."

"The guys said they didn't want you to quit. That you should stay where you are and fight back."

She stilled, her eyes on his. "And you had no influence over that decision?"

"None. Told them you said it should be up to them."

"And you were able to get ahold of Butler?"

"He answered my call, surprisingly enough. Guess being the boss still pulls some weight. Anyway, he was on board, believe it or not. Reluctantly, and the last one to agree, but he did."

"Hm. Well, if he's the one trying to kill me, I can't see him going against the team and looking too obvious."

"He's been very vocal about how he feels about you on the team, so this just makes me wonder what he's up to. But at least with him close by, we'll be able to keep an eye on him."

"I suppose."

"So, that's settled. What's next?"

"Cleaning out the storage room and ordering a pizza?"

He nodded. "We'll get enough for James and Cowboy too."

"Perfect."

When the guys got there, the pizza arrived seconds later, carried by Kristine. When Lainie and Jesslyn and the new detective, Nathan, joined them, Kenzie smiled. She should have known. This was what they did for one another. What they'd done for Lainie when she'd needed it and now they were doing it for her. She had her people, and that knowledge finally sank in. It was almost more than she could process. So she smiled through the threat of tears. "I don't even know what to say."

"I do," Cole said. "Who wants to bless it?"

Once they'd stuffed themselves on pizza, Cole shot Lainie and James a sideways look. "Anyone up for a game of Scrabble?"

Kenzie's eyes widened and she groaned. "Why would you even bring that up? You know she'll win. She studies the dictionary."

"Oh, I don't know. I think she's been too busy planning a wedding to worry about all that."

Kenzie looked at a radiant Lainie and grinned. "All right, I'm in. Jesslyn?"

"Why not? We can team up and work together. I'm on Lainie's team."

Laughter rang out and Kenzie pulled in an emotional breath. She really needed to get herself under control. What in the world was wrong with her? She never cried. Crying had gotten her mocked by her father and brothers. Crying never solved anything. But happy tears? Maybe that was okay.

She glanced in the direction of the storage room and decided that it could wait. She'd rather play Scrabble, even though she'd probably get beat.

As though her thoughts were prophetic, she leaned back two hours later and threw her hands up. "I give. Lainie is still the champion."

"Hey," James protested. "I helped."

She laughed. "If you say so."

He kissed his fiancée's forehead and grinned. Then turned serious. He nodded to Cole, and Cole nudged Kenzie. "Can we talk in the sunroom?"

"Sure."

Kenzie followed them, ignoring the questioning looks from the others, but over his shoulder, Cole simply said, "Business for a moment."

Jesslyn shot her a thumbs-up and the others aimed themselves toward the kitchen. Kenzie knew it would be spotless in no time.

"What's up?" she asked.

"I spoke to Commander Hill and we have a plan," James said.

Oh boy. "Okay."

"Your house is the new HQ if you're up for it."

"Um ... sorry, what?"

He laughed while her mind spun. "We're going to base the on-duty unit here out of your house. That way you're protected at all times. If we get a call, the off-duty guys will be here within minutes."

"But..."

"We'll keep everything—well, most everything—in the basement. Cole said it was secure. No separate exit, but it won't take us long to put one in."

She gaped. "You want to put a door in my basement?"

"It'd be a good safety feature to have regardless."

"Uh, okay. Yeah, that would be fine." She frowned. "And you're sure the guys are okay with this?" And what if it was Butler who was out to do her in? She'd be letting the fox right into the henhouse. She searched Cole's gaze.

"Keep your enemies closer," he said.

So. He was thinking the same thing. And as long as she was careful, it could work. She nodded. "All right."

"Great, I'll get it set up. It won't be official, of course. There's nothing that goes on record about this, but we'll hang out here, and when we get a call, we'll respond."

"And having Dolly outside will be a big deterrent to anyone who might decide to attack you here," James said.

"Right. Dolly." She laughed. "Okay then. I guess we'll see how this works out."