Kerry said.
Hazel answered with a slight smile that was more of a silent thank-you than anything else. The reassurance didn’t alleviate the fear, and Callum’s determination to protect them with all the skill he’d gained over the years redoubled.
Rejoining Evie, Hazel flashed back to Callum’s reaction when she had asked him about his past relationships. Clearly something bad. It bothered her that he had trouble talking about something personal like that and also made her doubly curious.
Again, both she and Callum added what little information they could to the description of the killer. Right now her daughter was transfixed by Kerry’s badge.
“I’ve booked out one of the two-bedroom suites at the Dales Inn,” Callum said.
Hazel looked at him, startled. “You mean...you and me and...” In one suite? “I can’t afford that.”
“I can. Don’t worry.”
She kind of did worry, but she decided not to argue. Keeping Evie safe was most important to her. He put his hand over his chest. “I’m a bodyguard. Consider this a professional courtesy. No charge.” Now he opened his arms in offering, and oh, what an offering.
She stared at him for long seconds. “Oh, I don’t—”
Hazel felt some trepidation at staying with a man she had only just met. Nearly being killed had frightened her but this was all happening so fast. Her routine had been disrupted.
“Actually,” Detective Wilder said, removing her badge and handing it to Evie, who took it and felt the top, “Until we find Blurge’s killer, I think you should stay at the Dales Inn with Callum.”
More than one night? “I don’t—”
“I’ve already offered my services as a bodyguard,” Callum cut in again.
Hazel hesitated.
“You’re in good hands, Hazel. He is one of the best bodyguards in the country. His company is known for that. They have a solid reputation. You can trust him.”
That made her feel marginally better, but it seemed excessive. And with a stranger.
Bodyguard.
She supposed if she thought of him that way...
“You would be my bodyguard?” she asked him.
“Yours and Evie’s.”
Hazel glanced at Kerry, still uncertain but wavering. “He isn’t a policeman.” Callum might be six-three and solid muscle, but cops carried guns.
“He’s licensed to carry a firearm.” Kerry looked at Callum, who moved his jacket aside to reveal the gun in a hip holster.
When Hazel said nothing, just looked over at Evie, Kerry added, “There isn’t an officer in this department who wouldn’t vouch for him. He does work for a top personal protection agency. Really, I can’t say enough good about him.”
Hazel put her hand to her forehead. “This is so sudden.” She lowered her hand and looked at Evie. The sketch artist handed her a detective shield sticker, which put a big smile on her face. She peeled the back off the sticker and stuck it to the left side of her chest.
“Hey, Detective Evie.” Hazel went to her and crouched where she sat at Kerry’s desk. Evie beamed, no doubt imagining she was a detective and would go to work just now. “We’re going to stay at a hotel tonight. It’ll be a vacation.”
Evie nodded, looking at Kerry, who had put her badge back on, clearly distracted.
Having confirmation that the man Evie saw being dumped into a car trunk was dead unsettled Hazel much more than she’d anticipated. Evie had seen the man knocked over the head with a rock. They didn’t know if that had killed him. Sure, she had contemplated the possibility, even the likelihood, but having it become fact put them up against a killer. A killer!
Callum held the station door for her and Evie, whom she held since her eyes were drooping with the late hour. She saw him scan their surroundings. He put his hand on her back protectively and then his head stopped moving. She followed his gaze and saw a white car drive past the station again and then turn the corner. Apparently the vehicle had been circling the block while they were inside.
“Go and get Kerry,” Callum said. “Hurry.”
Hazel turned and walked quickly back to the door. When inside, she saw Callum had drawn his gun and was watching the street.
“Is something wrong?”
Hazel heard Detective Wilder and faced her. “The white car that followed us here is still out there. He’s going around the block.” Just then Hazel spotted the car in front of the station on the street, driving slowly. Callum took cover behind his truck.
Kerry hollered for two other officers and ran out the front door.
“Mommy?” Evie said sleepily.
“It’s okay, honey. Go back to sleep.” Hazel hoped it would be all right.
Evie rested her head on Hazel’s shoulder and closed her eyes. Hazel didn’t have time to savor the sight.
Callum opened the station door as Hazel saw Kerry racing away in her car, two other officers following.
“Let’s get you out of here,” Callum said. “Kerry’s on his tail.”
She carried Evie out the door.
Callum stayed close to her side with his pistol. At his truck, he opened the back door and guarded them while Hazel put Evie in the car seat he had thoughtfully put in there. Then he opened the passenger door and guarded Hazel again while she got in. Going around to the other side, he got behind the wheel and drove quickly out of the parking lot.
A few minutes later they arrived at the Dales Inn. Hazel knew it was upscale but she had never been this close before. Its grandeur towered before her, the double wooden doors with oval windows welcoming guests to promised luxury. A parking valet gave Callum a ticket.
“Welcome, Mr. Colton,” the valet said and then nodded to Hazel. “Ma’am.”
“Callum Colton?” a bellboy asked.
“Yes,” Callum answered.
“I’ll take care of your bags.”
“Thank you.”
All Hazel had to do was carry a sleeping Evie inside.
The richness of majestic white columns and dark polished stone floors beneath a high, ornately trimmed ceiling engulfed her. Numbly she walked to the reception desk with Callum.
“We’re checking in to a two-bedroom suite, please.”
Hazel thought about protesting again, but her anxiety over the driver of the white car stopped her. That and Detective Wilder’s unwavering praise of Callum’s good character.
He took the room keys, then guided Hazel with his hand on her lower back, something that was becoming a habit for him. Strangely, Hazel didn’t mind. She wasn’t accustomed to a man doting on her the way Callum did. She had always taken care of herself. He might be doing all of that as her bodyguard, but she still liked it. She felt pampered.
They rode the elevator to the top floor with the bellboy and their luggage. Her luggage. Hazel looked at the cart the bellboy had gotten and saw two additional bags. She looked up at Callum in question, Evie’s warm breaths touching her neck.
“I arranged for my things to be brought here.”
Who