Always Watching Read online

  He nodded and watched Amy and Joanna climb back onto the boat. Wade held out a towel and Joanna wrapped his daughter in it, then took one for herself. “I was afraid that might be the case,” he said softly.

  “I’m thirsty, Dad,” Amy said.

  “There are drinks in the fridge. I just put some in there yesterday.”

  “Cool.” Amy headed down to the galley.

  Joanna wrung her hair out, then settled a towel around her shoulders. “I’m just going to make a couple of phone calls. I have messages I need to leave for tomorrow morning.”

  She followed Amy below and Wade closed his eyes for a brief moment, relishing the August sun on his face. He so rarely took the time to relax that he often felt guilty about keeping the boat. But when he was out on the water, he was very glad he had it.

  “Hey, Dad, where’d you get these chocolates? Can I have one?”

  Wade looked up to see Amy standing in front of him, holding a box of candy.

  Exactly like the one his stalker had gifted him with several weeks ago. He let his feet thump to the floor and stood holding out a hand. “Give me those.”

  She lifted the lid. “Can I have one first?” She took one out and moved it toward her lips.

  “No!” He grabbed for it.

  Then Joanna was there, knocking the piece from her hand. Amy startled and dropped the box. Chocolate rolled across the deck of the boat. Amy burst into tears as she whirled to go back down into the living quarters.

  “Amy, stop! I’m sorry!”

  Joanna went after her. “Amy, stop.”

  Amy froze, then whirled and wrapped her arms around Joanna’s waist. Katie took the box from him and a glove from the bag she’d brought on board.

  Wade went to his daughter and gently pulled her from Joanna. He turned her to face him and grasped her by her upper arms. “I’m sorry I yelled.”

  Amy sniffed and glared at him. “I just wanted a piece of chocolate.”

  “I’m not sure where the chocolate came from, but I didn’t put them there.” She shot him a confused, hurt look and he sighed. “I’ll explain later.”

  Using gloved hands, Katie had replaced all of the spilled chocolates into the box. “I’ll keep this with me and just check below real fast,” she said.

  She disappeared down the steps and Amy swiped the tears from her face and shook her head. “I get it. You think it’s that woman who’s stalking you, don’t you? You think she left them?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Oh.” She shifted from one foot to the other. “Or Aunt Martha put them there.”

  “Maybe. But maybe not. I don’t want you to eat them until I find out for sure where they came from. They weren’t there when I loaded the fridge with drinks yesterday.”

  “You think something’s . . . wrong with them?”

  “I hope not.”

  “They’re just like the other ones she sent. They’re your favorite.”

  “I know.” He ran a hand down her wet hair and drew her out of Joanna’s arms and into his own.

  She buried her face in his chest. “I ate the others and nothing bad happened,” she mumbled.

  “Yeah, but that was before she started causing all this trouble.”

  “Right.”

  He looked at Joanna. “Thank you.”

  “Sure,” she said softly. “I didn’t recognize the box, but I could see how distressed you were at the thought of her eating one. I just reacted.”

  “I appreciate that. We may have both overreacted, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

  “Of course.”

  Katie came back and gave him a nod. “Everything is fine down here. No more surprises that I could find.”

  Wade nodded and gave Amy a gentle push toward the stairs. “Go get dried off and we’ll head back in so Katie can get those chocolates to the lab.”

  Katie lifted a brow at him. “You read my mind.”

  “Sad, isn’t it?”

  Katie’s voice came through the earpiece loud and clear. “Someone planted a box of chocolates in the refrigerator.”

  Olivia flinched. “Planted them? Wade didn’t put them there yesterday when he was getting the boat ready?”

  “He said they’re the same kind he received from the stalker the first time she sent something. And no, he said he didn’t put them there.”

  “All right,” Olivia said. “Bring them in. We’ll check with Martha and make sure she didn’t put them there. If not, then we’ll get them to the lab and have them analyzed.”

  “When do you think she planted them?”

  “If it was the stalker, I’d say it was last night when I caught her looking in the window and chased her down here by the boathouse. I’m guessing she stopped here first and slipped that box in the fridge, then decided to see if she could take a peek in the window.”

  “Only you saw her.”

  “Yes.”

  “We’re coming in now.”

  The boat cut through the water smoothly, a slow glide that made her want to be one of the occupants. “I see you. We’ll get them settled inside and then you can take the chocolate in to Sarah. I’ll see if Quinn or someone wants to come process the boat.” Olivia knew the other security personnel could hear every word. The officers she’d hired stayed put in their positions. Each one reported in that their area was clear. Olivia watched the boat dock and vowed she’d conquer her fear of water one day soon.

  But first things first. Keeping Amy and Wade safe took precedence. The boat disappeared into the boathouse. Shortly after, Amy came out wrapped in a towel, flip-flops on her feet, and a mutinous expression on her face. As the girl approached with Katie right behind her, Olivia held her ground. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine. I just wish you’d get the person causing my dad so much stress. He’s becoming impossible to live with.”

  Olivia looked past the drama and saw the fear in the girl’s eyes. Katie and Joanna hovered in the background while Olivia talked to Amy. “I understand and we’re hoping all this will be over soon. Just keep telling yourself anything he says or does is because he loves you.”

  Amy’s stiff shoulders relaxed a bit. “I know. It’s just . . .”

  “Just what?”

  She sighed. “Just unnecessary. Just because some woman has issues, we have to pay for it. It’s completely unfair.”

  “I totally agree with you on that.”

  Amy lifted a brow and stared at her for a minute. Then a small smile tilted her lips. “Well. Good. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She rubbed the edge of the towel over her face. “I’m going to get a shower and change.”

  “I’m going to wait on your dad.” She looked at Katie. “Will you check with Martha about the chocolates? See if she knows anything about them being on the boat?”

  “Sure thing.”

  Amy and Katie disappeared. Wade was already walking up the hill with Charlie and Lizzie nearby. Joanna trailed behind them, toweling her hair, her face pale. Wade caught Olivia’s eye and frowned. “This is getting downright scary.”

  “I agree.”

  “So what are we going to do?”

  “That’s really up to you, isn’t it?”

  [28]

  TUESDAY

  The rest of Monday had passed in a quiet blur, for which Olivia gave thanks. She’d delivered the chocolates to Sarah at the lab and the woman told her not to hold her breath. Which was why she was surprised when Sarah called and said she had some results if Olivia wanted to find time in her schedule to visit the lab.

  Tuesday dawned overcast and muggy. Humidity and Olivia’s hair had an ongoing battle. The humidity usually won, so she didn’t bother fighting this morning. She simply pulled her strands into a loose ponytail, dabbed on a minimum of makeup to cover the darkening circles under her eyes, and grabbed her keys. Once in her car, she called the hospital to check on Maddy and was relieved to hear her friend and co-worker had shown even more improvement. She was r
esponding well to the antibiotics and her wound was healing with no sign of infection. Her next call was to Katie, who’d pulled night duty with the Savage family.

  “All was quiet,” Katie reported.

  “Let’s hope it stays that way. I’m on the way to the lab to see Sarah. I’ll let you know what she found.”

  Fifteen minutes later, she pulled into the parking lot of the lab and sent Sarah a text:

  Olivia

  I’m here.

  Sarah

  I’m waiting for you.

  Olivia pushed through the glass doors and presented her identification to security. He buzzed another set of doors and she made her way to the elevator and stepped inside.

  At the fourth floor, the doors whooshed open and Olivia came face-to-face with Sarah. “A little impatient?” Olivia asked.

  “Not at all. Follow me.”

  “I know where your office is.”

  Sarah shot her a sour look. “You take all the fun out of mysterious.”

  “I’m tired of mystery. I want answers.”

  “Then follow me.”

  “You couldn’t just send me a picture?”

  “Nope.”

  Olivia shut up and did as requested. She spotted Quinn and Bree standing just outside the door to the lab.

  “This way, people,” Sarah said. Olivia noticed she wasn’t her usual chipper self. She did indeed have an air of mystery around her, but her smile was missing and her shoulders remained stiff under her white lab coat. Concerned, Olivia exchanged greetings with Quinn and Bree while Sarah marched ahead.

  “You know what this is about?” Olivia asked in a low voice.

  They both shook their heads as one. “We just had a summons too,” Bree said.

  Once inside the lab, Olivia and the detectives stood to the side while Sarah went to the table to the right and picked up a small brown bag. “I autopsied the headless teddy bear that was left at Mr. Savage’s house.”

  “You don’t do autopsies.”

  Another black look from Sarah. “Humor me.”

  “Sorry.” Olivia drew in a calming breath. “And?”

  “I found this.” She snapped on a pair of gloves and reached into the bag.

  Olivia tensed. Sarah pulled out a small piece of paper and opened it. “‘You shouldn’t have done that. I would have given you everything. Now you’ll pay,’” she read.

  “Whoa.” Olivia sucked in a deep breath. “Well, that’s a direct threat if I’ve ever heard one.”

  Quinn nodded and narrowed his eyes. “It’s a threat, but it doesn’t surprise me.”

  “But this might,” Sarah said. She held up a piece of paper. “I had a rather wild hunch and tested the blood found on the teddy bear.”

  “And?”

  “I got a match.”

  Olivia called on every ounce of patience within her. She loved Sarah, but sometimes the woman’s penchant for drama annoyed her. “To whom?”

  “Madelyn McKay.”

  Olivia felt her stomach drop. “What?”

  Now that her bomb had been dropped, Sarah was all business. “The note was soaked in her blood. I had to work to see if there was anything else on the paper. Once I got the blood out—don’t ask me how, even I’m not sure how I managed to do it without destroying the words—I was able to see what it said.”

  “That’s sick,” Olivia whispered. She rubbed her brow and turned away to get control of her anger. Getting mad was fine, keeping a clear head was more important.

  Bree blew out a breath. “Well, she’s definitely made her point, hasn’t she?”

  “I’ll say.”

  “What about the note from the night Wade was attacked?” Bree asked.

  “Same person did it,” Sarah said. “Same type of lettering, same paper, same glue.” She shrugged. “You could try to figure out what store it came from, but I wouldn’t bother. It’s just simple white printer paper, a newspaper bought off a local stand or grocery store, and Elmer’s glue.”

  “So nothing real traceable,” Olivia said.

  “Right. And no prints. The person is being super careful and using gloves. No hair fibers, no nothing. It’s squeaky clean.”

  “Okay,” Quinn said, “I think our best lead right now is the caller. Let’s see if we can track her down. Today.”

  His phone rang and he snagged it from the clip. “Hello?” He listened and Olivia watched his face. His brows dipped, and his jaw tightened. “Right. We’re on the way.”

  Bree shifted, already turning her body toward the door. Quinn hung up and shot an apologetic look at Olivia. “We’ve got a missing persons case we’ve got to head over to. Wade’s caller is going to have to wait.”

  Olivia nodded. “Fine. Go. I’ll take care of things here.” Quinn and Bree left. Olivia rubbed her chin, weighed her options, then sent a text message to Katie.

  Going to check something out. How is everything on your end?

  “What are you going to check out?” Sarah asked, looking around Olivia’s shoulder to read her text.

  “Nosey.”

  “And proud of it. How else do you think I stay on top of everything around here?”

  Olivia couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at her lips. Then she frowned. “Anything on the knife from Wade’s house?”

  “Actually yes. I got a print. I ran it through IAFIS, but came up empty. Whoever threw it—if it’s her print—isn’t in the system.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  “Of course.”

  “Anything about those chocolates from the boat?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Wade was just on the boat Sunday, stocking the refrigerator,” Olivia said. “He didn’t put the candy there. So it had to have been put there Sunday night.”

  Sarah sighed. “I believe you, but it’s just not a high priority since no crime was committed—at least that you know of.”

  “I know, I get it. I’m just itching to find out if the candy is as innocent as it appears.”

  “I’ll try to bump it up if at all possible.”

  “I’d appreciate it.”

  “I know.” She fell silent for a moment, then looked back at Olivia when she didn’t move. “Now what are you up to?”

  Olivia tapped her lip, thinking. “First I’m going to call the restaurant where Valerie Mathis works, and if she’s there, I’m going to see her. If she’s not, I’m going to ride over to her house and see if she’s home.”

  “And if she is?”

  Olivia pursed her lips and thought. “I’m not sure yet. I’ll assess the situation and make a decision accordingly.”

  “She’s not your case.”

  “But Wade Savage is.”

  Wade had watched Katie drive away with Amy while Martha frowned at him. Haley stood at the door, her hand on her weapon, her tension letting him know she was alert and ready for anything. Once Katie was out of sight, she turned.

  “Where’s Olivia?” he asked her. The question had haunted him ever since Haley had stepped foot in his home. She wasn’t supposed to be here, Olivia was. The fact that he cared bothered him. The fact that he was attracted to the woman scared him to death. He wasn’t in the market for romance. Ever. Never again.

  “With the detectives, Quinn and Bree.”

  “Right.” He paused. “Why?”

  Haley held up her phone. “I’m getting occasional updates. The gist of it is this: Sarah Baldwin is a crime scene investigator. She processed your house and Maddy’s attempted murder. She texted Olivia and requested that she and the detectives meet her at the lab this morning first thing.”

  “For?”

  Lizzie shrugged. “I don’t know. That’s all I’ve gotten so far.”

  He shook his head. “Okay, I appreciate you keeping me updated on everything.”

  “No problem.” She studied him. “Olivia will be here as soon as she can.”

  Martha gave a small snort and shot him an amused look.

  He felt the heat start to rise fr
om the base of his neck and wondered why he was so easy to read. He narrowed his eyes at her and she turned away. “Joanna’s coming over. We’re going to be planning Amy’s thirteenth birthday party.”

  Wade winced. “I should be helping.”

  Martha waved a hand. “We’ve got it covered. Don’t worry, you can put your name on the card and the gift.” She headed out the kitchen door to her apartment and Wade sighed. He wanted to be a part of the planning, but sometimes with Martha, it was easier to cave than to insist. But he’d still talk to Amy and find out exactly what she wanted to do for her birthday and work around Martha and Joanna if he had to.

  “Thirteen,” Haley said. “That’s a special one.”

  “Don’t I know it. In some ways it seems like just yesterday I was teaching her how to ride a bicycle. Before I blink, I’ll be handing her the keys to the car.”

  Haley glanced at her phone. “Olivia’s headed for Valerie’s house.”

  “She is? With Quinn and Bree?”

  “No.” Haley frowned. “Alone.”

  “What?” He tensed. “If Valerie is my stalker and the one who attacked Maddy, isn’t that dangerous?”

  “Yes.” Haley tapped a response and slid the phone back in her pocket. “But she can handle herself.”

  “But that’s not—” His phone rang, offering him a welcome distraction. He glanced at the screen. Cameron Short. “I need to take this.”

  “Of course.” Haley left and Wade tapped the screen. “Hello?”

  “Wade, how are you doing?” Cameron asked.

  “I’ve had better weeks, thanks. How are you?”

  “I guess you have. I hate that you’re going through this.”

  His friend’s compassion helped. “Thanks.” His thoughts weren’t far from Olivia. He offered up a short prayer for her safety.

  “Maybe this will cheer you up,” Cameron said. “We’ve got six more fundraisers on the calendar. All venues we’ve never been to before. All with deep pockets and sympathetic hearts. We’re going to be able to help a lot more families.”

  “Excellent. Put them on my calendar and I’ll . . .” He’d what? Be there? Not if his stalker had her way. Or stalkers—as in plural. Unbelievable.

  “What is it?” Cameron asked.