Protective Instincts Read Online Free PDF Page A

looked like he could see if she lied.
    "He said some things when he called this morning."
    "Just tell us as much as you can remember, please." Briggs said.
    "It was all so awful."
    "We have to know before we can evaluate the situation."
    Brit heaved a long sigh. "He mentioned my claw-foot bath tub and my robe — and what he wanted to do with my body." She repeated as much as she could, avoiding looking at Sam or the officers when she spoke of the sexual threats.
    "Has anyone been in and out of your house but you?" Jacobs wrote in his notebook. "Any repair men around?
    "No."
    "Have you noticed signs of forced entry?" Briggs narrowed his eyes.
    "I haven't looked yet, but I haven't had time to think, really. There was no reason to before tonight."
    "Ms. Roberts," Briggs angled his body toward her. "Have you noticed anyone who seemed to be hanging around when he shouldn't be?"
    "No." She shook her head. "I haven't really noticed anyone suspicious, but I haven't looked for anyone who didn't belong."
    Jacobs nodded his graying head as he continued to take notes. "Anyone follow you around in the grocery store? Offer to help you with your groceries?"
    "No one, Officer."
    "Come on too strong, maybe not take 'no' for an answer?"
    "No," Brit shook her head, toying with her sweater's hem.
    "Maybe you flirted with someone who misunderstood, thought you were offering more?" Briggs suggested.
    Sam moved from the protective position he'd adopted, advancing on the offensive questioner. He fisted his hands tightly against the need to hit the man. "Officer, I fail to see the reasoning behind your suggestive question."
    "A lady can smile at a man and make him think she's interested, even if she isn't. Some men get strange ideas these days." Briggs cleared his throat, his posture remained stiff. His gaze riveted on Sam's face. "What were you doing when Ms. Roberts got the call?" His accusation slipped through.
    "Sleeping. At my house, near here."
    Briggs frowned. "So you rushed over when the lady called?"
    "I called her." Sam felt his face flush. The accusation there couldn't be his imagination, asshole. He cleared his throat. "I had a nightmare about her being in danger and couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong." Sam wished he could take back those words. He didn't want these Keystone cops to think he was sleeping with the teacher. He hadn't breathed a word about his premonitions in more years than he had fingers and toes.
    Both cops handed Brit and Sam business card. Briggs reached for the door to leave, giving Sam a strange look. Does that cop believe I called her, then raced over here to save her?
    "Call either of us if you remember anything else, ma'am. Not much we can do about the phone call. We could stay on alert for a stalker or a break-in."
    Sam stayed after the boys in blue had finally gone. He forced his manner to be gentle. He still wanted to hit something. He touched her slender shoulders.
    "You did just fine."
    Brit looked ready to drop, but he wanted to make sure she would be all right alone.
    "Stay for one last cup of chocolate? I can nuke it."
    Sam joined her for a last cup of hot chocolate for the road. The kitchen was old but well remodeled.
    "So, who did your remodeling?" He liked the clutter of racks of utensils and copper-bottomed pots hanging like decorations. "You use all those things?"
    "Yes, I love to cook." Her smile wavered. "I sanded and painted and did most of the work on this room. It's good therapy." She stood and started to leave the kitchen.
    "You need caller ID, and a thorough check of all door and window locks, and an alarm system. This house is old, but we can fix any areas for easy forced entry."
    Looking toward the door, obviously as a direct hint, she smiled wanly at him "I'd already planned on it. I'll get a new cell phone, too. Now go home. I have to face more parents tomorrow."
    Daylight wasn't far away.
    Following her down the hall to her front door, he thought again, how appealing the lady