Hidden Threat by Sherri Hayes Read Free Book Online Page B

Matthew, so he went directly to his car. As he drove out into the evening traffic, he punched in Martinez’s number. It wouldn’t hurt to see if Nikki had found anything useful.
    The phone rang several times before a very distracted Martinez answered the phone. “Yeah?”
    Matthew laughed. “Martinez? You alright man?”
    “Matthew.” His friend sighed. “Yeah, I’m good. Just a bit busy. You know how it is. Too much to do, too little time.”
    “Yeah, I do. And not to pile more onto your plate but…” 
    Martinez sighed again. “Nothing yet. Although Nikki does think your mystery person is a woman.” Anticipating Matthew’s next question, he offered, “Don’t ask me how she knows, she just does. She’s like that, and she hasn’t been wrong yet.”
    “Hm,” Matthew murmured as he turned the corner and onto his street. “Good to know. Thanks.”
    “No problem. If you want to call me tomorrow afternoon, she might have something for you.”
    “I will, thanks.” A baby crying in the background told Matthew exactly what his friend was doing. With a short laugh, he said a quick goodbye.
    His friend was adapting quite easily to fatherhood, and in a way, Matthew envied him. There was no one special in Matthew’s life and hadn’t been for years. Some might say that it was quite a lonely life but he had his brother and friends, plus his job kept him busy. He didn’t need anything else.
    ***

    A sleepy Cali shuffled down the hall. When she’d looked at her alarm clock, it read eleven thirty. She cautiously walked down the stairs to the front door; she had no idea who could possibly be calling at this hour. Surely if it was an attacker, they wouldn’t ring her doorbell.
    Looking through the peephole, she could see bits of a police uniform. Disarming the security system, she opened the door. “Sorry to disturb you at this late hour, ma’am, but we received a call about a prowler in the area.”
    “Oh!” Cali perked up a bit at this information. “A prowler?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” The man held his hat in his hands respectfully. “Have you by chance seen anything suspicious this evening? Anyone crossing through the yard? Hiding in the bushes?”
    “No, I’m sorry, I haven’t.”
    “Well then. Thank you for your time.” He handed her a business card. “If you think of anything, please call.”
    “I will. Thank you, officer.” He placed his hat back on his head and gave a small bow before turning back down the walk.
    Cali closed the door behind him and rearmed the system. A prowler? In this neighborhood?
    Not too worried, Cali trudged back up the stairs and into bed.

Chapter 12
    Arriving early to work was a habit Matthew didn’t want to actively start, but given that the delivery truck was scheduled to leave at six, he didn’t have much choice.
    As he rolled out of bed and showered, his thoughts returned to where they’d gone every day this week, Cali Stanton. This morning, there was an extra edge to his thoughts. He hoped she would follow his instruction to stay away from this morning’s activities.

    He’d debated about sending her the e-mail, notifying her of the change. In the end, his professionalism got the better of him. If it had been Alvin, he would have sent the e-mail so that decided it for him. Half expecting her to call him or at least respond to his message, he’d been surprised to hear nothing. That didn’t provide him much comfort.
    Maybe she hadn’t responded because she still planned to be there this morning.
    Would she go against him? He had no idea. He didn’t know enough about her to say, and every time he got in the same room with her, his hormones when haywire.
    Stepping out of the shower, he slipped his boxers on and went to his closet. Today he needed to be comfortable in case there was a physical altercation. He’d told Cali he would stop by her office, so a jacket was a must. Selecting a pair of comfortable slacks, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and a jacket, he