looking like she might be sick. âWhere are you going?â
âI need to make sure no one else is in the apartment.â
Grim realization dawned on her face. âYou think whoever left this is still here.â
âItâs a good possibility. I didnât notice any signs of forced entry. Any chance this is a current boyfriend with a key who has a sick sense of humor and wanted to surprise you?â he asked, not liking the fact that she might be in a relationship.
âI donât have a boyfriend.â She wrapped her arms around her slender waist.
âThe message doesnât point to the former fiancé, but I have to ask. Is he mad that you ended things with him?â
She shook her head. âNo.â
âAnd no other boyfriends?â he asked again, to be sure.
âI havenât even dated since I broke off with Preston, and I havenât given anyone a key to my place except my parents.â
So, stalker it is.
âThen stay put while I check it out. And donât move or you could cut your feet.â Brady eyed her for a long moment to be sure she would follow his instructions.
âBe careful.â She clutched her arms tighter and chewed her lip.
After the second shock of the night, he hated to leave her alone, but it would be foolish not to check for an intruder. A few strides across the hall and he was in a bedroom. The space was neat. Organized. The same colors as the family room. He checked the closet and under the bed, then made sure the windows were locked even though the apartment was on the fifth floor. He glanced into a small bathroom with a pedestal sink, claw-foot tub and subway tiles. Also empty.
He stepped to the front door and searched for any signs of forced entry. The wood was smooth and free from pry marks.
Odd. Very odd
.
He dug out his phone, called Jake and relayed the incident so they could report it to the Portland Police Bureau. The FRS responded to emergencies across the entire city, but they didnât have jurisdiction to investigate crimes within city limits.
âIâve got the detectiveâs card from the shooting,â Brady continued. âBut I donât get the feeling that this is related to the train incident or another disgruntled plaintiff. Do you think I should call Rossi or should this be handled separately?â
Jake didnât answer right away. Brady knew he was thinking. Pondering. The usual Jake. He cleared his throat. âWith no sign of forced entry, it seems more like you have a relationship gone bad. You really want to bother PPB this late at night with that?â
âNormally Iâd agree with you, but Morgan says she doesnât have a boyfriend and hasnât dated in months. Plus, Iâm getting a stalker vibe here.â
A long hiss of air. âIâll have to call in favors to get a quick response so youâd better be right.â
âNot sure I am, but then, her life could depend on us taking the right action here.â
âYouâre right. Canât be too careful. Iâll call the watch commander. Rossi is likely the detective on call and if heâs finished at the scene, the commander will send him over. Otherwise youâll have to hang out there until someone else arrives.â
Not a hardship
, Brady thought and it surprised him. âIâm off tomorrow so I can stay as long as needed.â
âIâll text you when I know something.â Jake disconnected.
Brady kept his phone in hand so he wouldnât miss the text and returned to the kitchen. A hint of color had returned to Morganâs face, and she was talking on the phone to someone named Lacy. He suspected this was the woman whoâd taken the train with Morgan. It sounded like they were good friends.
Not wanting to interrupt, he leaned against the counter and took the opportunity to study her while she was distracted. He couldnât put his finger on the word that best
Captain Frederick Marryat