Chapter

“You’re not really going to ask the chief about putting surveillance at her house, are you?” Jessica asked.

“Why not?”

“Do you know what kind of reputation you’re going to get, bothering the chief over something so small?”

“A woman is being stalked. Multiple people have reported it. That doesn’t seem small to me.” Nate trusted Teressa. She was guaranteed to be mentally sound, and she was not the type to lie to the police. She was known for being hardworking, though a bit of a loudmouth, and she would do nothing to put her restaurant at risk, he thought, not even help her best friend.

“That was our fifth time visiting her house. Fifth. And we’ve seen nothing. The only complaining witnesses have been her and her best friend, and they’ve given different descriptions.”

“The descriptions haven’t been different exactly. The same guy could be behind both descriptions,” Nate said.

“Look, if you want to do it, that’s your own career on the line. I’m just not saying I’m with you on this one.”

Nate wondered if he was making a mistake. But someone else had seen him. Had filed a report. It didn’t seem like Teressa would make it up. Besides, she had been complaining about it often lately. It didn’t seem as if the man would leave on his own. Nate needed to make sure he left. Dove didn’t need anyone else after her. Nate was realizing she had had a hard enough time all on her own.

“And the flirting? What was that?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Giving her your home number. Telling her to call you anytime. You’ve been taking my advice. Good for you.”

“Don’t tell anyone. I could get in major trouble.”

“My lips are sealed.”

When they got out and went into the precinct, Nate walked straight to the chief’s office. He knocked on the door, and, after a shouted “come in!” walked inside. The office was decorated with fish from his various expeditions. Nate looked past it all and at the man who sat behind the desk. He was a rather formidable man, Chief Diamond, and he had a look on his face that suggested he had no time to waste.

“Can I help you?” he asked, looking up. “Officer O’Bannon, correct?”

“Yeah, that’s me. I had a question about the Babcock case.”

“Ah, is that still a case?”

“Yeah. In fact, we just got another complaining witness. And today her ex-husband Mr. Dickens was heard by three police officers threatening Ms. Babcock.”

“So you think it’s him?”

“Well, no. She’s seen the man, and she said it’s not him. Maybe he’s hired someone, though. To intimidate her.”

“What do you need me for, then?”

“I was wondering if we could put surveillance around her house. Just in case, for a couple of days, to see if we see anyone.”

“And what would that accomplish?”

“We could stop her stalker! Who knows what he will progress to?”

“I’m sorry. I just don’t think we have the manpower for it.”

Nate didn’t think he looked like he was sorry. He felt anger well up in him, and remembered the cool collectiveness of Dove. Maybe that was the peace of the Lord. He nodded and turned to walk out the door.

Jessica was standing there, waiting for him. “Any luck?” Jessica asked.

“You know there wasn’t any,” he grumbled.

“No, but I had to ask. What’s plan B?”

“I don’t know that there is one.” He walked back to his desk and collapsed into the chair, totally giving up.

“Why don’t you invite her to your house?” Jessica asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Shut up,” he muttered, cheeks flushing.

“What a great comeback. Shut up. So you do like her.”

“She’s a victim!” He put a hand over his eyes as if he couldn’t even think of the idea.

“That doesn’t mean she’s not pretty. Isn’t she pretty?”

“I hadn’t noticed.”

“You’re a man. They always notice.”

Nate frowned. Of course she would say that. As if men only ever thought about one thing. Of course, he had noticed. But that proved nothing. Just that one woman happened to be beautiful. And even if he did always notice, that didn’t mean he was going to do anything about it. Maybe she flirted, maybe she hadn’t. He had a job to focus on, and that would have to be enough. He couldn’t risk his job over just some girl. “Look, I’m not doing anything wrong.”

“I didn’t say you were. I’m just saying you like her. It happens to the best of us. Just don’t do anything stupid.”

“Yeah, I won’t.”