Read Online On the Scent by Angela Campbell - Free Book Online

regroup and come up with another plan.
    That cat and dog were his. It was only a matter of time.

Chapter Five
    Hannah sank into the chair across from Zach and tried not to stare at the purple bruise beside his right eye. Butterfly bandages kept a gash closed above his eyebrow, reminding her of a boxer who’d fought one too many rounds. Guilt caused her face to warm.
    â€œAre you sure you’re okay?”
    â€œI’ll live,” he said, leaning forward. “I was worried about you.”
    â€œYou were?” His words induced an irrational, tiny shimmer of pleasure through her chest. Ridiculous. Of course he was worried about her. She was paying him to worry about her. She glanced at the man standing, arms crossed, beside Zach. Geez, Brian certainly could look intimidating. “You shouldn’t have. Brian looked after us—along with E.J.”
    She’d been under someone’s supervision since the ambulance had taken Zach away yesterday. She supposed she’d pay for that now that she’d officially hired them all to protect her and the boys.
Don’t panic at the cost. Remember. You can afford it now.
    She released a slow breath of air at the surreal thought.
    Zach glanced up at Brian, and a tense look passed between them before he spoke again. “We would have preferred for you to stay at the hotel a little longer. It’s bound to be safer there until we can determine who broke in here.” His blue gaze met hers again. “Did you see anyone before the police arrived? Maybe they tried to run out the back door after they knocked me out.”
    She shook her head. “When I found you, the person was gone. The window was open, so I assumed they left that way.”
    â€œYou’re certain nothing was taken?”
    â€œPositive. Brian helped me do an inventory.”
    A glimpse of white and black movement alerted her to the fact Abbott had decided to join the conversation. Costello was already lying at Zach’s feet, glancing back and forth as if the dog was following the conversation, too.
    Zach’s eyebrows drew together and he glanced down at the approaching cat with a strange expression. “Uh, so you didn’t—” He shifted in his seat. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”
    She had to do a mental backtrack. “Only that nothing was missing.”
    â€œRight.” He looked down at the cat again and shook his head. “Sorry.”
    Brian stepped over to the window, pressed the curtain aside and glanced out. “The alarm was disabled again. We’re dealing with someone who knows what he’s doing.” He moved back to Zach’s side. “I believe it’s the same person who broke in the first time. Now the question we need to answer is why are they so persistent? What do they want?”
    Zach gestured toward Abbott, who was busy licking his paw. “The person was trying to get the cat when I interrupted. I know there was also someone else in the room.” His finger brushed the injured side of his face. “We’re dealing with at least two suspects.”
    â€œWe have to assume they’re dangerous, and they’ll try again,” Brian said. “Hannah, I really wish you would take our advice and let us put you somewhere safe.”
    Zach suddenly shot to his feet. “Did you hear that?”
    She blinked and shrugged. “Yes, I heard what he said.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, but my life has been disrupted enough lately. I don’t want to be relocated. This is my home now, and I—”
    â€œNot that.” Zach held out his hand and glanced around. “Did you hear someone say ‘I want tuna for dinner’?”
    A slow smile curved her lips. Was he pulling her leg or what? “I didn’t hear anyone say that.” She looked at the cat who’d decided to sprawl out on the rug and swish his tail. “But tuna is always