Chapter

Nate went to work the next day and told Jessica his plan. She was more than on board.

“That sounds great, Nate! I say we tell the chief about it now and see what he says. Maybe we can try it today.” She led the way to the chief’s office, and Nate followed.

She knocked on the door, and they heard the gruff voice call out, “Come in.”

Jessica walked in and stood right in front of the desk, Nate stood partly behind her. “Sir, Nate has an idea on the stalking case that I think you should hear.”

“Let’s hear it,” he said, and Jessica turned her body, letting Nate step forward.

“Well, sir, I’d like to drive Dove’s car to her house, and turn off and on lights and such. Then we could have officers hidden so when he comes to investigate it we can catch him.”

“I like it. You can take lead, and Officers Trevose and Dunlap can help stake out the grounds. Debrief them, and then get out of here.”

“Thank you, sir,” he said, and Jessica led him out the office. Nate was ecstatic. The chief liked his idea, and now he was going to save Dove and be her hero. They were practically exclusive, and they had eaten half a meal together. He thought his excitement was pretty thinly veiled.

“Easy, big boy,” Jess whispered. “Don’t make people ask more questions.” Nate nodded.

They found Trevose and Dunlap, and Nate debriefed them. “Any questions?” Nate asked.

“Yeah, one,” Officer Trevose said. “What’s the nature of your relationship with Dove Babcock?”

“I’d be remiss to say we haven’t become friends over the course of the investigation.” Nate said. If anything, he was pleased with how that came out. It seemed very professional and understandable. He had worked closely with a woman, and they had become friends. Surely no one could see anything wrong with that.

“Just friends?” Officer Trevose said, raising an eyebrow. “Well, it must make her feel safer to have a cop friend.”

“I would hope so,” he answered. He knew Trevose didn’t like Dove. It seemed unfair that he would be part of the investigation to help her, but that was how police work worked sometimes. He went outside and climbed into the car.

“Did I do okay?” he asked Jessica once he was settled.

“I thought you answered it pretty well.”

“Will they do digging if we start to date after the case is over?”

“Maybe, but I find that mostly they don’t look too closely at it. If they do search, I have your back, because you really haven’t been dating, and I’m sure Leslie will too. Between the two of us, I think you’ll be just fine.”

They pulled up to the hotel. He got out straight away and Jessica followed. He walked up and knocked on her door. Room 22. She came straight out and answered it.

“Hey, Officer O’Bannon,” she said, and, after Jessica cleared her throat, “Hey, Officer Daniels.”

“We’re just here for your car,” Nate said.

“Here’s the keys,” she said, holding them out, then dropping them in Nate’s outstretched hand. “Try not to go into a car chase with them.”

“We’ll do our best,” he said.

When they walked out to her car, she followed them. “Listen,” she said, “be safe, okay? And remember what happens if you crack the case.”

“Trust me, I remember,” Nate said, grinning sheepishly.

As they got into the car, Jessica said, “And what exactly happens if you crack the case?”

“You know,” Nate muttered, not wanting to play her games.

“Do I?” she asked.

“Shut up.”

He drove to the end of the street, then let Jessica out so she could wait at the neighbors’ without being seen getting out of the car. He drove forward and parked at the edge of the driveway. He half-ran into the house, not wanting to be seen if the man was early. He turned on the light by the door, then stomped into the house, trying to make noises. He walked to the living room and turned on the television.

Now, though, he didn’t know what he was supposed to do. He would act as a warm body in the house, but who knew Dove’s routines? Dove and the stalker. He looked around the house, wanting to know more about Dove.

* * *

She seemed to collect doves. There were pictures and figurines spread throughout the house. He figured that was fitting. Her walls were mostly shades of blue and brown. Her furniture was comfortable, and the pillow accents made them stylish. He hadn’t known what to expect, but this seemed to fit. He hung around for a couple of hours, till his shift ended. Every once in a while, his radio piped up about some crime: a speeder, a petty theft from Walmart, nothing big enough to call him away from his current duty, but nothing seemed to fit.

As eight o’clock rolled around, Jessica radioed him. “I just talked to the captain. Decent idea, but it’s bust. Maybe he saw your enter. Either way, we’re done for now.”

“Okay, I’m coming out now,” Nate said. He walked out of the house and locked it behind him. He went in the car and picked up Jessica. “Worth a try,” he said.

“Worth a try,” she answered. “Since it’s your idea, you’re willing to go switch cars around after shift, right?”

“You got it. I wouldn’t mind filling in Dove on what happened.”

“Just remember this is still an open case.”

“If only I could forget,” he muttered.

He dropped off Jessica, then drove to the motel and knocked on Dove’s door. She came out in checkered pajamas. Nate thought she was cute as a puppy. “You find him?”

“That’s an open case,” he responded.

“No one else is around,” she answered.

“Then no, not yet.”

“No one else is around,” she said, taking a step closer to him.

“And?” he asked. She took another step forward, and kissed him.

The kiss was short and chaste, yet Nate stood shivering on the doorstep. Dove laughed a little.

“What’s funny?” he asked, not totally even aware of what words were coming out of his mouth.

“I’m just amazed you can be surprised by that. Everything we’ve done so far has led up to it.”

“I guess I’m easily surprised.”

“Do you want to come inside? I’m making popcorn and watching a movie.”

“If anyone heard about that, I’d lose my job for sure,” Nate said, shaking his head. “I’d better go.” He turned around, and Dove grabbed his arm.

“Wait,” she said.

“What?” he asked.

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him once more. “That’s to remind you that even if you don’t find him, you’re still my hero.”