Page 24 of Jacques

For the past few years since her attack, she’d shunned any attempt by a man to pull her into his arms. Old habits died hard.

At first stiff, she pressed her cheek to his chest and listened to the steady beat of his heart, letting it calm and relax her. Before she realized it, her muscles relaxed, and she melted into him. He made her feel safe.

He held her until the sound of a siren grew louder and flashing blue lights bounced off the sides of the buildings.

A sheriff’s vehicle pulled to a stop in front of Yaya’s Yoga studio. A moment later, Shelby Taylor came running down the alley between Yaya’s and the Mamba Wamba gift shop, her gun leading the way.

Danny stepped out of Jacques’s arms and faced the sheriff’s deputy.

“Danny.” Shelby came to a stop. “Are you okay?”

“I am.” Danny tipped her head toward her apartment door. “Someone broke into my apartment while I was at work.”

“Do you know if the burglar is still inside?” she asked, starting toward the staircase.

“No. I didn’t go in to find out. I knew someone had been inside because the deadbolt was unlocked,” Danny said. “I always lock the deadbolt.”

Shelby nodded. “I’ll check it out.”

“I’ll go with you,” Jacques said. He turned to Danny. “Get in your truck and lock the doors.”

“I have a gun,” Danny said. “I can go with you.”

Shelby shook her head. “He broke into your apartment. That makes you the target. Let me handle it. Please, get in your truck and lock the doors.”

Danny pulled her gun from her purse and handed it to Jacques. “At least take this.”

He gave her a brief smile. “I have one in my car.”

“Yeah, and by the time you retrieve it,” Danny lifted her chin toward Shelby, “Deputy Taylor will be inside my apartment.”

Danny climbed into the truck and locked the doors, feeling useless while others walked into danger on her behalf. But she didn’t want to argue about it or get in their way. So, she sat and waited.

Shelby was halfway up the steps when Jacques, Danny’s gun in hand, hurried after the deputy. He caught up to her as she reached the landing. They stood on either side of the door for a moment, then Shelby nodded to Jacques and pushed it open with the barrel of her pistol.

Jacques dove through and to the side. Shelby followed.

Danny held her breath and counted to seven before the interior light blinked on and Shelby appeared in the doorway, motioning for Danny to come up.

As Danny pushed open her door, Yaya came running between the buildings from the front of the studio. “Danny,” she called out. “Oh, sweetie, are you all right?” The yoga instructor pulled her into a quick hug, then set her at arm’s length to check her over.

“I’m fine,” Danny responded. “Deputy Taylor and Jacques just cleared the apartment. I’m going up.”

“I’m coming with you.” Yaya followed Danny up the stairs.

When Danny entered the apartment, her gaze swept the room. It looked just as it had when she’d left earlier.

“Look, but don’t touch,” Deputy Taylor said. “I’ll want to dust for prints.”

Danny nodded and hurried into the bedroom. She grabbed a tissue from the box on her nightstand and held her breath as she used the tissue to open her small jewel box. She didn’t own much expensive jewelry, but she treasured the diamond bracelet her father had given her mother for their fortieth anniversary.

It was there, right where it always was.

She let out her breath and glanced around. Her laptop and television were still where she’d left them. “I don’t understand,” she said. “He didn’t take anything of value. Why break in?”

“You’re looking for the obvious,” Shelby said. “Look closer.”

Danny walked around the small kitchen. Her stack of bills and credit card statements was exactly as she’d left them. She walked past the sofa. Not a cushion or pillow was out of place. Nothing in her bedroom had been moved.