about to dazzle you with a picnic you’ll never forget.”
Zach closed the door and locked it. Turning, he gave her grin and said, “This way, we can have dessert, too.”
She dropped the basket on his desk and flew into his arms. “Let’s have dessert first.”
As lunches went, Savannah decided it was the best she’d ever had. An intensely satisfying make-out session had been followed by a delicious lunch prepared by Sabrina, the best cook in the Wilde family. She could definitely get used to this kind of life.
She watched Zach take one last bite of a strawberry, marveling at the peace and happiness she felt. Even though there was some crazed lunatic out there who for some reason wanted her dead, she still felt freer and more content than she had in years.
“Who came with you to the station?”
“Brody dropped me off. I told him I’d call him when I was ready to come home.”
“I can take you home.”
Spending even an extra five minutes with him sounded good to her. “Something came to me yesterday. I wanted to get your take on it.”
“What’s that?”
“The way Kyle looks at me … Could he be the one who asked my granddad if he could adopt me?” She shook her head. “I know that doesn’t mean he killed my parents, but I wondered if that was something we should follow up on, just in case.”
“You make a good point. After I take you home, I’ll go have another chat with him.”
Glad that he had agreed with her assessment, she repacked the basket while Zach straightened the paperwork on his desk. They were walking toward the door when the phone rang. Grimacing an apology, Zach grabbed it up. “Chief Tanner.”
An odd look came across Zach’s face and then he said, “I’ll tell her.” Hanging up the phone, he turned to her with another grimace. “That was Lamont. He called your house and Samantha told him you were here. He wants you to come by his office before you go home.”
“Uh-oh. Did he sound angry?”
“Not angry, more like sad.”
“I hate that we had to hurt him that way.”
“We had no choice.”
“I know.” She picked up the picnic basket and smiled when Zach pulled it out of her hand. “Will you walk me over there? I promise not to stay more than a few minutes. I just feel like I need to apologize to him.”
“I’ll drive you over. No open areas until this fucker is caught and behind bars.”
Smiling, she caressed his cheek. “I love that you still blush when you say a swearword in front of me.”
Turning even redder, he mumbled, “I don’t blush.”
Laughing, she headed to the door. “Let’s go see Lamont. Then you can take me home and make me blush.”
Holding her hand, Zach kept Savannah a little behind him as he walked out of the police station. His eyes open for anything unusual, he led her to the patrol car and helped her inside. He ran to the other side, got in, and started up the engine.
“I really don’t think anyone’s going to try to take a shot at me in broad daylight.”
“They tried to kill you in the guesthouse in broad daylight.”
She nodded. “Point taken.”
He was about to give her another warning about being careful when the radio squawked. “Chief, you there?”
Zach grabbed the mic. “Yeah, I’m here, Hazel.”
“I’m patching Bart through.”
“Chief.” Bart Odom’s breathless, excited voice came through the radio. “Something odd’s going on over at the Ingrams’.”
“Odd how?”
“Looks like they’re packing up and leaving.”
Shit. Zach shot a look at Savannah, whose eyes reflected his own thoughts. She whispered, “You think they’re skipping out, thinking we’re onto them?”
“I don’t know. But they were told not to leave town.” He spoke into the mic. “Keep an eye on them, Bart. If they leave, follow them but don’t intercept. I’m on my way.”
“Will do,” Bart answered.
Zach checked the rearview mirror and started to make a U-turn.
“Wait.” Savannah touched his arm. “Where are you going?”
“I’m taking you home.”
“But we’re right here at Lamont’s office.”
“I don’t want to leave you unprotected.”
She picked up the small purse she’d dropped on the floorboard and opened it, showing him her handgun. “I am protected. And I’ll call Brody to come pick me up when I’m finished.”
He gave her a searching glance. “You’re sure?”
She nodded. “Lamont’s feelings are already hurt. I hate to turn down an invitation from him.”
Zach stopped in front of the mayor’s office and got out. Savannah waited for him to open the door for