Damsel in Danger (Danger Incorporated Book 1) by Olivia Jaymes Page B

prepared her for this.”
    “I was just about to do that when you pulled up. I hadn’t been on the scene all that long and I didn’t want to call before I knew something.” West grimaced. “Dammit, I was here earlier walking Huck and giving him dinner. I didn’t see a thing. When I heard the call on the radio I almost couldn’t believe my ears. I got over here as soon as I could.”
    Jason rubbed his aching temples. “This is a clusterfuck all the way around. Something is going on and we’re ten steps behind. I don’t like this at all. Somebody is after Brinley and I don’t intend to let them near her.”
    He was shocked to hear the ferocity in his voice, but something about this woman brought out his caveman protective instincts. She was caught in something very dangerous and had no one but himself to protect her.
    “I’m glad to hear you say that.” West nodded in agreement, keeping his voice low. “I know you said you were going to keep an eye on her but now I think we need to watch her twenty-four-seven. I don’t have the manpower to do something like that, though. Nor the budget. The mayor and I had another of our knock down drag-outs regarding expenses. That man is a total asshole.”
    Money and resources weren’t an issue. Jason knew exactly who to call in.
    “Not a problem. I’ve got this covered.”
    “That’s good because this case has me worried. Gaines is dead and it looks like the killer isn’t done. Did you find out anything from his brother?”
    “Yes, I’m going back tomorrow to talk to one of Roger’s friends. But I want to hear from Fran and Richard first. What they saw and heard.”
    The couple, dressed in their pajamas and robes, had entered the house and were comforting Brinley.
    “You can talk to them but it isn’t much to go on,” West warned him but Jason still wanted to hear their story. He just needed that one detail that would blow the case wide open.
    Jason sat down in a chair across from the couch trying to appear calm and in control, at least for Brinley’s sake.
    “Fran, Richard, it sounds like you had an exciting evening.” He tried to laugh to keep the tension to a minimum. “What can you tell us about what happened?”
    The couple looked at each other and Fran nodded at her husband who began to speak. “I was taking the dogs out to let them do their thing. I was in the side yard that connects the two properties. Anyway, I looked over at Brinley’s house and there was a light that swept through the living room. I didn’t think she was home yet because her car was gone.”
    Shit. Brinley’s car was at the motor inn. They’d need to retrieve it tomorrow.
    “Go on,” Jason urged. “What else?”
    Fran patted Brinley’s hand. “Richard yelled at me to bring out his shotgun and call the police. I grabbed his gun from the wall while I dialed 911.”
    “Then the dogs must have known something was happening because they started barking and howling, which of course started Huck doing the same over here.” Richard hopped to his feet and began to pace. “The light went out in the house and I heard a crash. He must have gone out the back door because I heard a rustle of bushes and then nothing but the barking dogs.”
    “So you didn’t see him?” Brinley’s softly spoken question echoed Jason’s own thoughts exactly.
    “I didn’t,” Richard agreed. “I keep saying him but I guess it could have been a woman too. Hell, it could have been more than one person. I just didn’t see a whole hell of a lot, to tell the truth. I wish I had. I would have shot his ass so full of buckshot he’d be walking funny for a week.”
    “I know you would have. Thank you, Richard. And you, Fran. You scared him away and I don’t know how to thank you for that. I’m so grateful.”
    “Now, honey, everything’s going to be fine.” Fran hugged Brinley and gave her a reassuring smile. “Now this person knows we’ve got some loud and angry dogs plus a shotgun. They