Free One Millhaven Lane by Bliss Addison Page A

answered on the first ring.
    "It's Nate. Is the Chief free?"
    "He is. I hear the stitches are coming out today."
    "Maybe." There were no secrets in the Grove, which made Nate wonder how Bobby managed to sneak into town unseen. Someone should have seen him. On further thought, Nate recalled how Bobby could expertly disappear and reappear.
    "Asia must be antsy to reclaim her life. I can't imagine having a killer stalking me, knowing he's out there but not where, knowing he's going to strike but not when. The both of you must be total wrecks."
    "We're holding up." If he weren't, her spiel would have made the hair on his arms stand up.
    "Of course you are. Here's our Chief."
    Seconds later, Carter came on the line. "Today's the day, huh?"
    Nate couldn't imagine the fuss over a few stitches. Maybe there was an ulterior reason behind the response. He'd heard some moaning from his colleagues about the extra shifts they were pulling. Now that Asia didn't require around the clock care, Nate could resume his normal schedule. He’d be sure to inform his fellow police officers on the Grove PD.
    "We're at the hospital now. The doctor hasn't seen her yet. Anything to report on Bobby's whereabouts?"
    "Wherever that weasel is, he's hiding good. Maybe he's given up. Cut his losses and run."
    "We should be so lucky." That wouldn't solve Asia's problem with selling the house, though. "The man has no soul." Nate remembered the beating Bobby put on a nun. He left her naked and bleeding on the side of the road and pawned the gold chain and cross he’d stolen from her neck. "Anything from the Portland police?"
    "Nothing. He hasn't shown up at his digs. There's an entire platoon of law enforcement officers on the lookout for him."
    Carter paused.
    Nate didn't like the sound of the silence. The chief had something on his mind, but dickered whether to tell Nate or not. "What is it?"
    "Don't do something stupid."
    "What do you mean?"
    "Don't give me that act. You don't want anything happening to Asia, do you?"
    "Of course not."
    "Then don't go poking any holes. You might not like the outcome. I know you're considering baiting him into the open. Stings almost always go wrong."
    "Understood. We're going up to Boston today. She wants to check her shop." Nate could hear Carter's intake of breath.
    "Is that wise?" he asked, exhaling.
    "We can protect her better here, but if I don't take her, she'll go herself." Nate envisioned the summer tires on Asia's Mustang. The car was light and without the grip of a snow tread and weight in the trunk, the vehicle would be all over the road.
    "When do you plan on leaving?"
    "As soon as the Doc finishes with her." From the silence that followed, Nate determined that Carter didn't approve. Nate didn't like it either, but what could he do short of cuffing her to something solid? At least, he would be driving her.
    "I can see your mind is made up, so I won't try to persuade you anymore. Take it easy and keep me informed."
    Nate said goodbye and flipped the cover on his cell. He returned to the waiting area in time to see Asia limping from ER. He rushed to give her an arm to lean on.
    "What did the Doc say?" he asked as he escorted her through the exit.
    "That I heal extraordinarily fast and don't need a follow-up. Must be all that healthy eating."
    "That's great. Are we set to roll?"
    "I'm ready. First, though, I need a coffee."
    "You got it." He knew she loved her coffee, but Asia looked too eager to leave the Grove. He worried her concessions to him had been made in a moment of vulnerability where she'd grant anyone their heart's desire. He didn't know whether she wanted to keep her independence by not giving up her place in Boston or was as she'd said — the reasonable thing to do. A sixty-minute drive was a long enough commute, but others traveled longer distances to be with their families. At least, it wouldn't be for long, only until they found a place of their own.
    Don't go all Neanderthal with her, Nate. Don't