Page 30 of Archer

“Has his behavior crossed into illegal territory?” Because thankfully there were limits.

“No. Annoying but not illegal. Yet.” Colton paused. “I can’t decide if that’s good or bad news. Regardless, I think you should call him. Get a read on him directly.”

My jaw tightened. “You want me to talk to her ex?”

Harper turned to stone at my side, fork halfway to her open mouth.

“I want you to let him know she’s got protection now. Sometimes that’s enough to make these kinds of guys back down. Maybe you can get a feel for where his head is while you chat.”

I looked at Harper. Her ivory face had gone impossibly pale.

“I’ll handle it,” I said. “What else?”

“It looks like the music box was purchased from an online retailer called Vintage Treasures. They ship all over the country.”

“So it wasn’t purchased in Carolina Bay?”

“No. More likely this guy bought a bunch of them and distributes at will. Here’s the thing, though. The shipping addresses are different every time. Nashville, LA, Malibu, and now Carolina Bay. Whoever’s buying them is using different return addresses for each delivery.”

“Covering his tracks.”

“Exactly. And I checked with local delivery services. None of them made drops on Shore Drive around one PM.”

My stomach dropped. “None of them?”

“Not a single one. Which means⁠—”

“He delivered it himself.” I met Harper’s eyes. She’d set down her fork and begun twisting a napkin in her hands.

“That’s my read. I’m pulling traffic camera footage from the main road to see if we can spot any vehicles headed there, but that stretch is all residential. I’m not sure this will help.”

“Keep looking.”

“Roger that.”

I disconnected and set the phone down carefully, fighting the urge to curse or complain.

Harper’s voice was barely more than a whisper beside me. “He was here?”

“Looks that way.”

She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. “I’d hoped he was just sending things. Ordering them online and having them delivered. I hated that he knew where I was, but I didn’t want to believe he was actually here. At Gram’s cottage.”

I rose too, moving around the table to meet her. “Harper⁠—”

“He stood on the porch.” Her breathing quickened. “He could’ve come inside. He could’ve⁠—”

“But he didn’t.” I caught her shoulders gently. “And you did the right thing. You found help. You’re okay now, and you’re safe.”

“Am I?” She tipped her head back to look up at me, eyes bright with barely tamped fear. “He always finds me, and I always run. I don’t know what happens when I stay.”

“We’re going to find out together.” I kept my voice level, steady. “This time you’ve got me. And Knox. And Colton. We’re not going to let him get to you, and we know the local sheriff. He’s a good man, and he’s got a strong team. If this guy keeps coming, he will be caught, and his control over you will end.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“Yes, I can.” I released her shoulder, immediately missing the contact. “I promise.”

She searched my face, and I held her gaze, hoping she could see the truth there.