Point of Danger (Triple Threat #1) - Irene Hannon Page 0,82
He’d have to ease into the theory he’d been formulating since the hospital confirmed Steve’s presence—one that had solidified after he read the note resting on the table between them.
“It leaves us with a new possibility.”
She squinted at him. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”
“No—and neither do I. But we have to consider the facts and follow them to their logical conclusion.”
“Which is?”
“Let’s back up first. Based on the window between straightening up your deck and finding the note, Steve couldn’t have left it. It’s possible he has an accomplice—but my take on his personality is that he operates solo. That means this note is from someone unconnected to him.”
He waited, giving her a chance to reach the same conclusion he had.
After a few beats, her eyes widened. “That must mean . . . could two people be targeting me?”
“I’d say that’s a credible theory—more so in light of the written communication you’ve received. The two notes we think Steve left are short. One had a misspelling. This is much longer and the spelling is correct. Also—the one left the night of the tire slashing said it was the final warning. Why leave any more messages?”
Eve lost a few more shades of color. “So Steve may not be behind all the incidents that happened before today.”
“Or he could have been—and someone with another objective is seizing the opportunity to coast in under the radar, wreak havoc . . . and let him take the fall.”
“Wonderful.” She tucked her hair behind her ear, inhaled, and linked her fingers on the table. “Let’s switch gears for a minute and talk about the threat to my sisters. That’s never come up before. And why did this person mention you?”
“I’m assuming he’s been monitoring your activities. Watching your house. He’s seen me coming and going, and you said your sisters visit on a regular basis.”
Dismay tightened her features. “It was hard enough dealing with the idea that someone was after me, but if I’m also endangering my sisters . . .” Her voice trailed off.
“Let them know about the note. From what I’ve seen and heard of Cate, she can take care of herself—and your other sister isn’t in town.”
“She also carries a gun.”
“Two points in her favor. She won’t be the most convenient target—if this person even follows through on the threat.”
Eve lifted one hand and massaged her temples. “Can this get any more complicated?”
Yeah, it could. But why bring that up unless—
His phone began to vibrate, and he pulled it off his belt. Frowned at the screen.
Sarge wouldn’t be calling him on a Sunday evening unless they were short of personnel at a major crime scene.
“Give me a minute.” He rose, walking away as he spoke.
“Don’t hurry on my account. I could use a few minutes to absorb this latest curveball.”
He put the phone to his ear and retreated to the foyer as he greeted Sarge—and prepared to beg off an assignment for tonight. The situation with Eve required his immediate and full-time attention. While there was no question Steve had broken the law, the challenge was gathering sufficient evidence to book him.
But the possible involvement of a third party put a whole new spin on this—and added an exponential degree of risk.
Meaning Eve was back in the bull’s-eye.
This was getting old.
As the low rumble of Brent’s voice drifted into the kitchen from the foyer, Eve stood.
Neither of them might want a soft drink, but she had to expend some of the restless energy coursing through her—and sitting here waiting for him to return wasn’t doing the job.
She should also warn Cate and Grace ASAP in case this guy followed through on his latest threat. Brent could be correct in his assumption that neither of them were at as much risk as she was, but until they nailed her nemesis, she wasn’t going to be able to shake her worry.
As she set their drinks on the table, Brent returned, his expression difficult to read.
“Trouble?” She pushed his soda toward him.
He picked it up and took a long swallow. But he didn’t sit. “A new development. It seems we may have an eyewitness to the fake bomb delivery.”
A surge of hope buoyed her spirits. “That’s fantastic news!”
“If it pans out. He’s nine.”
“Children aren’t credible witnesses?”
“Not under the age of seven, usually. Older than that? Depends on the child. This one’s closer to ten, which helps.” He finished the drink in a couple of long gulps and set the can back on