up and Nettles gave Hannah back her phone, smiling sympathetically.
“She can be a little intense at times,” he said.
“That’s an understatement,” she agreed. “But she’s just trying to keep me safe. And from what I’ve heard, her ex-husband is a stone cold psycho. So I’m inclined to cut her some slack.”
“She’s usually spot on,” Nettles said, “so me too. This isn’t the first time we’ve been at this building protecting her from a killer. She doesn’t tend to cry wolf. In any case, Beatty will be downstairs and I’ll be right outside if you need me, okay?”
“Thanks.”
“And remember the confirmation code,” he added. “Don’t answer the door unless you get two knocks, a pause, and then two more knocks. Ask who it is, even if you see me or Beatty through the peephole. If I don’t answer ‘not the pizza guy,’ you don’t open up. Got it?”
“You’ve told me this three times, Officer Nettles.”
“I’m just being thorough,” he replied. “I don’t want your sister to kick my ass.”
Once he’d stepped outside, Hannah sat on the couch and allowed herself a moment to breathe. She closed her eyes and tried to think of something pleasant, like leaves falling gently from a tree in a cool forest. But it was no good. Her eyes popped back open.
Even though Nettles and Beatty had done multiple searches, as had the other officer before them, she still felt skittish. She resigned herself to the fact that she wouldn’t get a wink of sleep until Jessie and Ryan returned. Considering that was supposed to be in less than fifteen minutes, she turned on the TV and fixed her attention on whether Sophia was going to tease Blanche for telling another anecdote about one of her sexual conquests.
*
They parked right in front of the building.
Jessie ran inside while Ryan reconfirmed with the unit across the street that they’d seen nothing unusual all night. By the time he got to the lobby, Jessie and Officer Beatty were already at the elevator waiting to go up.
They found Officer Nettles right where he said he’d be, just outside the condo door. He gave the official knock and code phrase and Hannah opened the door to let them all in. Jessie could tell that despite her pretense of nonchalance, her sister was relieved to see them.
“Thanks so much, guys,” Jessie said to the officers once they got settled. “We’ve got it from here. Y’all can head out for the night.”
Nettles, the grizzled, graying senior officer, and Beatty, the fresh-faced youngster with curly blond hair who joined the LAPD the same month that Jessie started consulting for it, exchanged glances.
“That’s okay,” Nettles said. “Jimmy and I talked about it and we’re going to stick around if that’s okay with you. We’ll send the other unit home but one of us will stay in the car and the other in the lobby. We can be up here in two minutes if you call.”
“That’s not neces…” Jessie began before Ryan cut her off.
“Thanks, guys,” he said, giving her a disapproving glare. “We really appreciate it. Make sure to keep the receipts for any snacks you get. They’re on me.”
They nodded and headed out. Once they left, Jessie looked at Ryan quizzically.
“Don’t you think they deserve a break after being here all night?” she asked him.
“Jessie, those guys have been off the clock since seven p.m. Tom Nettles and Jim Beatty volunteered for this duty because they care about you. Remember, they were both here guarding this place when your life was at risk. If they say they want to stick around, just say thank you.”
Jessie nodded, chastened, and moved to lock the front door and checked that the windows were closed and locked too. Then she turned on the security system. When all that was done, she finally sat down next to Hannah.
“How are you?” she asked.
“Oh, you know, I’ve been better.”
“I hear you. Sorry we were out for so long.”
“That’s okay,” Hannah replied. “Did you get the guy?”
“Kind of. We caught the guy who killed the two women. But I don’t think he was responsible for Garland’s death.”
Hannah didn’t look shocked.
“You think that was your ex-husband?”
“I do,” Jessie confirmed. “I also think he tried to kill Ryan this afternoon. That’s why we were in such a rush to get back. You seemed to be the next logical choice.”
“Why?” Hannah asked.
“Because he’s going after the people I love,” Jessie said, as if the reason was as clear as day. There was a long pause