Page 36 of Archer

“Almost forgot,” he said, lifting a rectangular box into view. “It’s a basic doorbell camera. I figured we should get at least one angle covered until the full system is installed tomorrow.”

“Good thinking,” Archer said.

I watched as Knox installed the device with practiced efficiency, explaining how it worked in case I wasn’t sure. “It’s motion activated, so no one has to ring the bell to get recorded. The feed is connected to an app you can monitor on your phone. Nothing sophisticated, but better than no camera at all.” He looked to Archer. “Same username and password as always for now. Change it when you’re ready.”

“Got it.”

Knox waited while Archer set up the app on his phone, then checked his watch. “I need to get back to the shop. Stay safe. Have a good day.”

“Thank you.” I waved as he left the driveway, then smiled at the little camera on the doorbell. Surely no one with ill intent would walk up to the door, knowing they were being recorded. The thought created a tidal wave of gratitude.

I went inside and offered Archer one of the glasses of water.

“Thanks.” He took the glass with a quirk of his brow.

“Do you want to sit on the deck?” I asked. “I could use another minute before I try to write again.”

“Sure.”

We carried our drinks outside. The afternoon sun was warm, and the ocean stretched to the horizon before us. I took a sip and tried to think of something to say that wasn’t awkward.

Archer beat me to it.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Okay.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

“No. You?”

“A sister.” He looked oddly uncomfortable. “She was in a bad relationship not long ago. Her daughter’s father was controlling. Abusive. I was deployed when it got really bad.”

My chest tightened. “I’m so sorry.”

He worked his jaw and went quiet. For a moment I thought he didn’t plan to tell the rest of that story, but he went on. “She called me one night, crying. I could hear her daughter screaming in the background.” His jaw worked. “I was halfway around the world and couldn’t do anything about it.”

“What happened?”

“I called Knox. He was stationed stateside at the time. He drove to her place and got them out.” Archer’s hands curled into fists. “By the time I got home on leave, her ex was in jail and my sister was safe. But I should’ve been there.”

“You can’t blame yourself for being deployed.”

“I can blame myself for not seeing the warning signs. For not asking the right questions when I had the chance.”

I understood then. The intensity with which he’d taken my case. The way he’d promised to keep me safe.

This wasn’t just a job to him.

“Is that why this case bothers you?” I asked softly. “You’ve seen the ugly side of men who hurt women.”

He looked at me. “Partly.”

We sat in silence again for a while, the weight of his shared story settling between us.

My phone buzzed, breaking the moment. Alexis’s name appeared on the screen.

“My manager,” I explained. “I should take this.”