Page 55 of K-9 Prime Target

Both dogs surrounded him, tails still wagging. He hugged Nina close, then patted the dogs. “Now all we have to do is wait.”

Because they needed Nicholson to believe Nina was alone, Liam spent the rest of the afternoon in the bathroom, reading or working on his laptop. He piled blankets in the bathtub and made a decently comfortable lounging area, and Nina and the dogs took turns keeping him company.

Nina tried to remain as visible as possible for the next few hours, opening all the shades and washing windows or cleaning in view of anyone passing by.

Raz was the first to arrive. They never actually saw her. At four thirty she texted that she was positioned in shrubbery at the entrance to their housing development. I’ve got my winter camo on and a thermos of coffee and some sandwiches, ready to check out everyone who drives past, she wrote. I’ll let you know if I see anyone suspicious.

Chase was next. Cerise and I are behind your garage, he texted. We’ll watch the back of the house in case he tries to come in that way.

The others gradually filled in their chosen observation points—Connor concealed in the shadows beneath a tall spruce behind the house, and Renee in the branches of the tree above him. Brian stationed himself across the street, while Anders parked his van down the street. I’m pretending to be a camper here for the night, he texted. I can see everything from the back window, and it’s a lot warmer than sitting out in the snow. And if Nicholson shows up and then leaves, I can follow him.

Everyone was in place by 7:00 p.m. Nina slipped into the bathroom. “I made chicken wraps for dinner,” she said.

Liam looked up from what he had come to think of as his nest in the bathtub. Angel, who had been curled at his feet, also sat up. “Sounds good,” he said, and accepted the plate she passed him.

“I’m off to eat my dinner alone, in front of the TV,” she said. “With the drapes open.”

“Go ahead and close them,” Liam said. “It’s what you usually do, and he’ll still be able to see your silhouette behind them.”

“Good idea.”

She moved into the living room and was crossing the floor to close the drapes when the doorbell rang.

Sky raced into the room, barking. Nina’s phone signaled an incoming message. There’s a pizza delivery guy standing on your doorstep, Anders texted. Tall, skinny dude with a long ponytail.

Nina checked the security peephole. A freckled man in a blue parka and a ball cap with the name of a local pizzeria shifted from foot to foot. He held a cardboard pizza box, and while she watched, he pressed the doorbell again.

Nina opened the door a scant inch. “I didn’t order a pizza,” she said.

“A friend sent it as a gift,” he said.

“What friend?”

“I don’t know. There’s a note.” He pointed to the envelope taped to the top of the box. “Is it your birthday or something?”

“No, it isn’t.”

“Do you want the pizza or not?”

She didn’t want the pizza. But she wanted to see what the note said. “Leave the box on the doorstep,” she said.

“It’s gonna get cold.”

“I don’t care. I’m not opening the door.”

The man scowled at her. “I’m supposed to hand it over in person.”

“Is the pizza already paid for?”

“Yeah.”

“Did he leave a tip?”

“Yeah.”

“Then you don’t need to worry about it.”

“Suit yourself.” He set the pizza down none too gently and sauntered back to his car.