Bulletproof (Unknown Identities #1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

going to my grandmother’s house.” Amelia had only just made that decision. But, in reality, that was the best solution. She didn’t go out there often since her grandmother died. Not that many people were privy to the location of the old family home. “It’s only a forty-minute commute.”
    She’d made that commute almost every day during her college years. Long time ago. Tonight it felt like an entirely different lifetime.
    At her door, Bernie hesitated. “Call me if you need anything. Or,” his gaze narrowed in accusation, “if anything else happens. If you stub your toe I want to know before your brain has time to process the fact that you should feel pain.”
    Amelia nodded. “I’ll call.” Not .
    As soon as she got him out of here, they were done until nine tomorrow morning even if the roof fell in.
    For a moment he stood there like he might hug her – he’d done that once, after her grandmother’s funeral. Bernie wasn’t the touchy-feely type. An embrace was a big deal for him and turned seriously awkward between him and Amelia. Maybe she wasn’t the touchy-feely type either. Her last boyfriend seemed convinced that was the case.
    “Okay. G’night,” he mumbled, blatantly dubious of her promises.
    “Night.”
    When he turned away she couldn’t help herself, she called after him, “Bernie.”
    He looked back at her, the worry and fatigue making craggy lines in his face.
    “Thanks.” Her throat tightened. “I appreciate you rushing over here to check on me.” She suddenly wished he had hugged her, but that was childish and she was an independent adult.
    For a moment their gazes held... then he shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I? You keep circulation up. I can’t afford to lose you.”
    Amelia smiled, cursing herself for the slight tremble in her lips.
    As he walked away, she let go a big breath, releasing an immense trainload of tension. Time to do what had to be done. She flashed the uniform a smile and reached for her door. It opened, forcing her to step back as Fincher and his techs ambled out.
    “We’ve done all we can for now,” the detective announced.
    “Is it okay if I straighten up?” Not that she looked forward to the massive task, but there was always the chance she would find something the techs missed. Some clue as to the intruder’s real intent.
    Scare tactic or assassination attempt?
    Geez, she had definitely delved into far too many strange stories lately.
    “Sure thing. The evidence gathering part of our work is done.” Fincher patted the pocket of his overcoat and grinned. “My wife is going to be thrilled with this.”
    He’d asked for an autograph for his wife, but he’d suggested Amelia put both his and his wife’s name on the copy of The Torch she’d brought home from work.
    Amelia thanked him again and entered the scene of her newest dilemma.
    She closed and locked the door with all three deadbolts, for the good it would do.
    Exhaustion clawed at her.
    “Just do what you gotta do.”
    After pilfering through the rubble for ten minutes or so, she decided her curiosity didn’t need to be appeased tonight. With her treasured bottle of Absolut and the one unbroken glass she could find, she settled on the sofa. She poured a shot and, shoving the overturned coffee table aside, she spotted last year’s edition of the Yellow Pages. “Might as well start with the classics,” she muttered, dragging it from the floor to her lap.
    “Bodyguards.” She sipped the vodka as she turned pages. No such heading. “Personal security.” The list was longer than she’d expected. Several half-page ads touted the experience and expertise of one agency or another two like it.
    She ran her finger down the list and then rubbed at her eyes. Narrowing down the choices by skill wouldn’t be a problem, but she had to keep in mind that she’d be spending considerable time with whomever she selected.
    That put a whole new spin on her perspective.
    For that, she needed at least one