Chapter 9
To Parker’s surprise and relief, Revis fit right in with the crew at RTA. Everyone loved the older dog and with all the people petting and loving on him, it seemed his tail never stopped wagging.
“We have a mascot,” Parker proclaimed. He couldn’t seem to stop smiling. Between having Genna staying at his place in such close proximity and his new family member, he felt happier than he had in a long time.
Spence went home and came back with a large, well-worn dog bed, which he placed it in a corner behind the front counter. As soon as Revis saw it, he claimed it as his own. Curled up with his head on his large paws, he kept an eye on everything. At least, when he wasn’t dozing.
“The office dog,” Spence said, grinning. “Great idea.”
“Thanks.”
“But I thought Genna was getting a dog,” Spence continued, checking the computer to see who would be in his next group. “How’d you end up with one instead?”
“Long story,” Parker replied, really not wanting to go into it at the moment. “Since your tour is about to start arriving, I’ll save it for another time.”
Reluctantly, Spence nodded. “I’ll hold you to that. What about you? When’s your next outing?”
“Not for a couple hours. I had one scheduled earlier, but they all canceled. It was a family outing. Turns out they’ve all come down with strep throat.”
“Ouch.” Spence grabbed his own throat. “Which means I’m guessing you’re planning to hold the fort down here then?”
“Yeah, for now. Hetty is due in soon. She’s taking out a small group this afternoon. I should be back before she has to leave. And you can fill in also. Between the three of us, we should be able to keep this place covered.”
“Four of us,” Spence corrected. “You can’t forget Revis.”
“As if I could.” Parker’s phone rang. Seeing Genna’s name on the caller ID made his heart skip a beat. Answering, he barely got out a quick hello before she started talking.
“Someone is following me,” she said, an edge of panic in her voice. “I stopped by my house to check things out, and when I left, this black SUV pulled away from the curb. I’ve been driving around downtown taking random turns and it’s sticking with me. I don’t know what to do.”
“Are you close to the police station?” he asked. Though his heart rate accelerated, he tried to sound calm.
“No, I’m on the other side of town. But I can get there. It will take me about twenty minutes though. I’m just worried whoever this is might ram my car or try to force me off the road. I have June Bug with me.”
Was she crying? Jaw tight, he battled the intense need to defend her, to help her, and hold her close.
“Keep driving.” He took a deep breath, not wanting to let her know how alarming he found this situation. “How far are you from here?”
“From RTA? Maybe ten minutes.”
“Then come here.” Decision made, he asked her to stay on the phone while he went back to the gun safe and retrieved his pistol.
“What’s going on?” Spence asked. With Genna still on the phone, Parker filled him in. Once he had, Spence cursed under his breath before he also went to the gun safe and armed himself. “We’ve got you, Genna,” he said, loud enough for her to hear.
“How far out are you now?” Parker asked.
“Five minutes. And the car is still with me. They’re not even trying to hide it now.”
The slight tremor in her voice had him clenching his jaw. “Spence and I will be outside waiting for you. Pull up right in front of the building. And stay on the phone.”
“I will,” she promised.
Tense and trying like hell not to be, Parker jogged down the steps from the covered porch and waited for her at the edge of the parking lot. He wanted to be able to see her car the moment she turned into the driveway.
Right by his cousin’s side, Spence’s grim expression told Parker that he’d do whatever he had to, to help. If Genna’s stalker was foolish enough to follow her there, they’d make sure he never followed Genna again.
“There,” Parker said, pointing at Genna’s red car, just about at the driveway. And like she said, a black SUV followed right on her bumper.
When she turned, the SUV slowed but then kept driving on past.
As Genna pulled up and parked, Parker rushed over to open her door. When he did, she made no move to get out. Instead, she sat frozen, gazing up at him, her expression a mixture of relief and terror.
“Come here,” he said, his voice rough. He held out his hand. When she made no move to take it, he reached in and hauled her out of the car and into his arms.
“You’re trembling,” he said, smoothing her hair away from her face. “Are you okay?”
“No,” she admitted, clutching on to him as if she might fall. “Do you think that was the same person who broke into my house? What if it was the Fiancée Killer?”
“That’s highly unlikely,” Spence interjected, startling Parker, who’d managed to forget all about his cousin. “It’s not his normal method of operation. If you have a stalker, it’s someone else.”
The instant Spence spoke, Genna stiffened. She made as if to pull out of Parker’s arms, but he tightened his hold. “You’re still too shaky on your feet,” he murmured.
She reared back, glaring at him, but made no other attempt to move away.
“Well, well, well,” Spence drawled, grinning. “Is there something you two want to share with me?”
This comment did it. Genna stepped out of Parker’s embrace and shook her head. “Your cousin is just being kind to a friend,” she said, her tone daring either man to contradict her. “And I appreciate it greatly.”
Just then, the tote back on her front seat moved. A furry little head poked itself out and then barked. “JB!” Genna cried. “I hope you’re all right.” She reached into the tote and scooped the tiny dog out.
Spence’s brows rose. “What the heck is that?” he asked.
“Meet June Bug,” Parker replied. “Genna’s new dog.”
“JB for short,” she said, kissing her pet on the top of her head. “Isn’t she adorable?”
When Spence didn’t immediately respond, Parker elbowed him.
“She’s something else,” Spence finally said. “Um, Parker, don’t forget you brought that beast of a dog into work with you today. He looks like he could eat this one for lunch if he wanted to.”
Genna shook her head. “They’re already friends. Revis really seems to like JB and vice versa.”
“They’ve met?” Spence glanced from one to the other. “I thought you just got the dog yesterday,” he said, eyeing Parker.
Parker figured he might as well tell him. If he didn’t, he knew Lakin would. “Genna’s staying with me for a few days,” he said. “She and I went into Valdez, which is where the dogs came from. The shelter had them both listed as dog friendly, and so far that seems to be the case.”
Though Spence’s eyes widened, he simply nodded and refrained from commenting. Parker figured for sure he’d be peppered with questions later, when Genna wasn’t there.
“Let’s get you inside so you can sit down,” Parker suggested, taking Genna’s arm. “Spence’s group should be arriving soon, so unless you want to be put to work, maybe you should hide out in the break room.”
Genna perked up at the mention of work. “I suppose I could do some—”
“No.” Parker cut her short. “You’re off today. No working. I’ll check Spence’s group in. Hetty will be here soon and she’ll cover the office when I take my people out.”
Smiling slightly, Genna nodded. “Parker, when is your expedition? I’m hoping maybe you can go with me into town at some point. As strange as it sounds, I’m a bit weirded out of going anywhere alone.”
Just as Parker opened his mouth to reply, three vehicles pulled into the parking lot in rapid succession.
“Looks like my bunch has started to arrive,” Spence said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. “Time to get this show on the road.”
As soon as they got inside, Genna went behind the counter and directly toward the break room. Revis lifted his head when he saw her, tail swishing. As she passed, he got up and followed her.
Positioning himself behind the computer, Parker began the process of logging their guests in. Spence watched from the lobby, eyeing his cousin and clearly bursting at the seams with questions, but unable to ask them. Which Parker considered a good thing.
Once he had everyone checked in, Parker turned the small group over to Spence. As his cousin walked everyone outside, Parker breathed a sigh of relief. Then he headed back to the break room to check on Genna.
When he entered, she looked up from her phone and smiled. The smile didn’t reach her green eyes. Her little dog sat in a chair right next to her, and Revis had curled up at her feet.
Relieved, Parker jammed his hands into his pockets so he wouldn’t hug her. “You look like you feel better now,” he commented, pulling out a chair and taking a seat.
“I do.” She put her phone down and regarded him gravely. “I’ve almost convinced myself that I was imagining everything.”
He wanted to tell her that he didn’t think so, but also didn’t want to get her worked up again. So, in the end, he simply nodded.
“As a matter of fact, I’m going to go ahead with my plan to head into town.” Getting to her feet, she picked up JB, who appeared to really enjoy being carried. Revis got up, too, tail wagging, clearly ready for an adventure.
Conflicted, Parker wavered. He couldn’t expect her to sit around and wait for him to take out his tour and return, especially on her day off. “The black SUV did go on past,” he said, thinking out loud. “So, hopefully, you should be safe.”
Something in his tone must have revealed his concern because her eyes widened.
“It’ll be fine,” she said. He wasn’t sure whether she was trying to convince herself or him. “I can’t let this person, whoever they are, make me stop living my life. As long as I stick to town and more populated areas, I should be fine.”
He knew then that she was thinking of the Two Bears River Trail, where the most recent victim had been found.
“I just won’t go hiking,” she said, confirming his suspicion. “It’s not like I hike anyway, so I should be safe.”