Page 17 of Archer

Harper looked away.

I ground my teeth. This exchange would go much more efficiently if I could use my military voice and demand she make this less damn difficult. Unfortunately, civilians typically found that tone threatening, and she was already afraid.

So, I waited.

“I work in the music industry.”

“Thank you,” I said. “For being as vague as possible. Do you work for someone famous?”

“No.”

I changed gears and tried another line of inquiries.

“Who knows you’re here?”

“My— a co-worker.”

“Uh huh. Ex-boyfriend?”

Her expression shuttered. “No.”

“You’re sure it’s not him?”

She shrugged. “Why would he do all this when he can just talk to me? Harass me to my face, or by phone instead of sending creepy deliveries.” She motioned wildly at the music box. “Blake was controlling, but this feels different.”

Controlling pissed me off.

“Does Tiny have a last name?”

Her cheek twitched. “Blake,” she corrected. “Yes, Stewart.”

I made a mental note to have Colton run that name.

I moved to the back door and tested the lock. A decent kick would take it down. “I’d recommend cameras around your exterior. Anyone can approach from the beach access. Your window locks are old and inefficient. And I don’t like how far back you sit from the road, or the dunes on either side, blocking your view of the neighbors and their view of you.”

“That used to be a feature.”

“It will be again,” I said. “I can replace your locks. Set up cameras and motion sensors. That’ll keep any prospective intruders out, but it’s not going to solve your problem. We need to figure out who’s doing this and why.”

Surprise changed her worried features, and hope flashed in her eyes. “How?”

“We can work with the local sheriff for starters. He’ll help us keep you safe while you’re in town, but you’ll have to tell me everything.” I leveled her with a no-nonsense gaze. “I can’t help you if you won’t trust me. I don’t need to know all your deep dark secrets, but I have to know as much as you do about whatever’s going on with that music box. No judgment.”

She crossed her arms, putting the barrier back up between us. “I’ve told you everything I know.”

I sighed audibly and pulled out my wallet. Then I showed her my driver’s license. “I am Archer Stone. I’m thirty-three years old. I spent twelve years in the Marine Corps active duty. I was recently honorably discharged. I started Carolina Security with two buddies from my unit. We’re all finding our footing as civilians now. It’s nice to meet you— Sarah?”

She stared at my ID a long moment before raising her eyes to mine. “What do you read?”

I allowed myself a small smile. “Everything, but I joined an online book club that reads books coming to TV or film about a year ago.”

“What are you reading now?”

“I just finished a Freida McFadden series. Before that it was Wuthering Heights. Andy Weir is up next. How about you?”

She paced a small circle, resolve slowly forming. When she met my eyes again, she offered me her hand. “My name is Harper Lawson. It’s nice to meet you.”

Chapter 7