Declan shoved another box into place in Daleigh’s garage, packing it into the space where all the merchandise was being stored. Ryan helped him, but they’d hardly made a dent in things so far.

Sweat already trickled down his back. It was a hot day. But the physical work helped him to burn off some of his stress—which was just what he needed to do.

There had been no leads on that truck so far. He’d also had Chief Haven trace that phone number, but it was a burner device and untraceable.

He knew it was still early in the investigation, but he was anxious to get some answers. He and Willa had come close to losing their lives today. Very close.

He also couldn’t stop thinking about how it had felt to hold Willa’s hand. It was just as soft and warm as he remembered. In fact, it felt natural, like their fingers just fit together—liked they belonged.

Declan hadn’t come back to Hertford to rekindle anything. He wasn’t looking for romance.

But there was something about being with Willa that had always felt so right. That’s why it had been so hard to leave town without her by his side all those years ago.

Sure, he’d found love with Sarah. He’d loved her with all his heart, and he missed her every day. But being near Willa again brought back so many memories . . . and even a touch of hope.

But her life was in danger.

In a moment, Declan would go inside and resume his research, as well as keeping an eye on Willa. But for now, he and Ryan needed to talk without any distractions.

“Ryan, I really think you need to tell your sister about those pictures of her,” Declan said. “She already suspects there’s more to this.”

His friend frowned and shoved another box into place. “This is escalating quickly, isn’t it? You’re right. I need to figure out how to let her know what’s going on.”

“Have you thought of anyone who might be behind this?” Declan asked. “That’s what’s perplexing to me.”

Ryan wiped his forehead and stepped outside, where at least there was a gentle breeze to cool them off. Declan followed.

“It’s all I’ve been thinking about,” Ryan said. “There’s only one person that’s come to mind. There was this man I worked with as a stockbroker. I got a promotion, and he didn’t. He took it hard. Really hard. I’m not saying he’s crazy enough to do all this—nor does it make sense why he’d wait so many years, if it is him. But I’m drawing a blank on anything else right now.”

It was a start. “His name?”

“Walter Brewer. Last I heard he lived up in New York still.”

Declan grabbed the water bottle he’d left on the fence and took a long, cooling sip. “I’ll check him out. In the meantime, are you sure you can’t convince Willa to come stay here?”

Ryan let out a breath and stared off into the distance. “I’ve tried. She won’t do it.”

Ryan’s announcement didn’t surprise him.

“I don’t like the thought of her staying by herself,” Declan said.

“I know. I don’t either. But I’m not sure what’s going to convince her.”

“We have to try.”

Ryan took a step toward the house. “Did you make any decisions yet?”

“Decisions about what?” Declan welcomed the shadow of an old oak tree.

“About the future? About what you’re going to do next.”

He took another long drink of water before answering. “No, not really. I haven’t had time to think about it.”

“There are always your parents down in Florida. You could get a job there.”

He’d spent many nights mulling over his options. “I could. And I love them dearly. But Florida really isn’t for me. I like having four seasons.”

“You could stay in Hertford,” Ryan said.

The idea made Declan’s stomach clench.

He took another sip of water. “I could, but I’m not sure what kind of career opportunities there are for ex-FBI here.”

“Maybe Josh—Chief Haven—is looking to hire someone.”

“I can’t say I’d be happy being a small-town cop. Not after the experiences I’ve had. Then, again, maybe the change of pace would be nice.” He was torn. He’d been offered teaching positions up at Quantico as well as at a college in California. But he wasn’t sure that’s what he wanted to do either.

Maybe he just needed time. Time to breathe. Time to heal.

“Well, I’m sure something will open up.”

“I hope so.”

Just then, they heard a scream from inside the house.

Ryan and Declan looked at each other. They dropped the boxes in their hands and ran toward the house.

Willa placed herself in front of Daleigh, keeping her eyes on the raccoon that had appeared in the office. Slowly, they backed away from the woodland creature.

The animal appeared to be rabid and aggressive. Foam bubbled from its mouth. It turned in circles before facing them again, its teeth bared.

Daleigh and Willa were in its sight. Willa liked to think they could outrun it, but she wasn’t sure.

“Don’t make any sudden movements,” Willa coached, her arm still stretched in front of Daleigh’s pregnant stomach.

Daleigh rubbed her belly, no doubt thinking about her baby. “How in the world did that thing get inside?” she whispered.

“That’s a great question.” Willa’s gaze was fixed on the intruder. If she took her eyes off it for one minute, that critter could attack. She couldn’t risk that. “We should figure that out later. Right now, we need to get out of here before it attacks us.”

She didn’t know if raccoons could attack, but based on the animal’s stance right now, it was a good possibility. Everything about the creature looked crazy and unpredictable.

“I’m good with getting out of here,” Daleigh said.

Willa’s throat clenched as the raccoon let out something that sounded like a growl and lunged closer to them.

“He’s just as scared of us as we are of him . . . right?” Her voice cracked.

“Let’s go with that,” Daleigh said.

Willa took another step back, pushing Daleigh farther away in the process.

The raccoon lunged at them again. This time, Willa screamed and scrambled backward faster. As she did, the door opened on the other side of the room.

Ryan and Declan rushed inside. They stopped in their tracks when they saw the raccoon in the room.

“What in the world?” Ryan took a step back as the creature turned toward him and let out a guttural hiss.

“That’s what we’d like to know,” Willa said.

“We need to get outside,” Declan said.

“What about Winter?” Daleigh asked.

Winter was the snow-white cat who allowed Ryan and Daleigh to abide in this space with her.

“You ladies go outside, and we’ll find Winter,” Declan said. “And why don’t you call animal control for good measure?”

“We can handle that,” Daleigh said.

Willa slowly urged Daleigh farther away. As soon as she could, she closed the office door and effectively put a barrier between them and the rabid raccoon. But she felt better for only a minute. What were Ryan and Declan going to do?

Right now, she had to focus on Daleigh. Stuff like this could put an undue amount of stress on the baby.

She kept walking until they were outside then she pulled her cell phone from her pocket to call animal control.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, keeping a hand on Daleigh’s arm.

“I’m fine.”

But Daleigh didn’t look fine. She was breathing heavily and fanning herself.

“Maybe you should sit down,” Willa said.

Daleigh rubbed her belly as Willa led her to the porch swing. They often utilized this massive, charming porch. Usually Daleigh had her guitar and played new songs for Trevor’s approval. Trevor thought the woman walked on water.

Those were happy times, full of family and simple fun. Right now, the summer sun beat down on the porch, enough to even silence nature around them. There were no crickets or frogs singing or even buzzing flies.

“Can I get you some water?” Willa asked, another jolt of worry washing through her as she observed her friend’s pale skin.

“Don’t go back into the house until that raccoon is caught.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Willa knew better than to argue when Daleigh used that tone.

“Sit beside me and talk. Distract me.” She patted the swing.

Willa lowered herself on the wooden bench seat, and they slowly glided back and forth.

“So, what’s your story with Declan?” Daleigh asked. “That sounds like a good distraction.”

Willa’s stomach clenched. Declan was the last person she wanted to talk about. Her emotions were too frenzied whenever he was near. Self-preservation and desire collided inside her.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” Daleigh said. “I can just feel the tension between the two of you. It’s got me curious.”

“We dated my last year of high school and into college. He was two years older, and when he graduated, he broke up with me.”

“Did he give an explanation?”

That day flashed back in her mind. “Just that our lives were going in different directions. He didn’t want me to sacrifice my dreams to follow his.”

“His dream was the FBI?”

Willa nodded, realizing that bitterness didn’t age quite as well as fine wine. “That’s right. Sure enough, right after he graduated from college, he was accepted at the FBI academy. Sometimes, it can take years, apparently. So he had a quick decision to make.”

“I see.”

Willa released a deep breath. “I didn’t really follow what happened to him after that, but I did hear that he was last assigned the DC office. I figured he’d be a Fed for life.”

“But he got out.”

Willa nodded, satisfied that Daleigh was just as surprised as she was. She still couldn’t believe it. “I don’t know what happened, but I do know that his wife died. I know how losing a spouse can shake you to your very core.”

Daleigh reached over and squeezed Willa’s hand. “I know. But you’re doing a fine job with Trevor. I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through.”

Daleigh rubbed her stomach, no doubt thinking about her own child.

“Thanks.” Because Willa didn’t feel like she was doing a fine job. She was trying to be a mom, a dad, a guardian, an advocate, and everything else in between.

Daleigh turned to face Willa. “You know, when I met you the first time, I couldn’t get over how well you were handling everything,” Daleigh continued. “It’s plain to see how much you love Trevor.”

Her compliment caused a surprising flow of tears down her cheeks. “I miss him this week.”

“I know it’s hard to let go. But knowing Trevor, he’s having the time of his life.”

Willa nodded, knowing her words were true. Trevor was ready for this next step. “I think he probably is. But I still can’t wait until he’s back at home.”

“I can imagine.”

Just then, an animal control van showed up.

Crisis averted.

This time, at least.

After everything was cleaned up and the house was deemed safe again, Declan sat at his desk. Willa quietly tapped at her computer in the workspace beside him.

They’d had to sanitize house, and they still couldn’t figure out how that raccoon had gotten inside. There was a doggy door, left by the previous owner, but it was always locked. It wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility that someone had accidentally hit the latch and knocked it out of place.

But another theory lingered in his mind. What if someone had purposefully lured that raccoon into the house? Declan didn’t want to face that possibility, but it was there, and he’d be a fool if he didn’t ask himself those questions.

In the meantime, he found a number for Walter Brewer, the man Ryan had mentioned. A few Internet searches later, he found the man.

Walter appeared to be married with three kids. He lived in New York City still and worked for the same company where Ryan had at one time worked. Looking at the man’s smiling profile picture on social media, he certainly didn’t appear to be the unhinged type. But Declan had been in law enforcement long enough to know that looks could be deceiving.

He slipped into another room and called the man’s home phone. A woman answered.

“I’m trying to reach Walter Brewer,” he started.

“He’s not available,” she said. “I’m his wife. Can I help you?”

“I’m an old friend from Stanford.” He knew that blurting the truth wouldn’t work in his favor. He’d seen the man’s alma mater listed and had double-checked to make sure his wife hadn’t also attended. Declan figured his cover story was safe enough. “I thought I saw him here in town, and I wanted to see if I was right.”

“In town? Where are you calling from?”

“North Carolina.”

She laughed. “No, you must be seeing things. He’s been working all week. Twelve-hour days, only coming home long enough to sleep. He definitely didn’t have time to go down to North Carolina.”

“Are you sure? It looked just like him. Same red cap and all.” He’d seen that infamous red cap Walter wore in multiple online photos.

“He loves that hat. But I’m sure. I can give you his cell, and you can call him yourself.”

“I’d love to.”

He scribbled down the man’s number. He’d check to make sure it hadn’t pinged anywhere in this area, but he had a feeling that Walter wasn’t his guy.

There had to be some way to trace who was behind this.

And Declan would figure it out if it was the last thing he did.