Page 20 of Unseen Danger
“Sure.” Nevaeh met D-Chop’s quizzical stare. “I owe you.”
Another voiceless moment passed between them. Then D-Chop nodded. “We should hang out sometime. Relive the old days.”
Branson’s muscles tensed. Was that an invitation to something more? She might’ve been too young for D-Chop before, but she was full grown now.
“Maybe when I’m off the clock.”
“A woman with purpose.” D-Chop chuckled. “That’s a’ight. I can tell B’s gettin’ uptight anyway.” D-Chop threw Branson a grin.
Had he been that transparent? Hopefully not. He needed to stay on D-Chop’s good side.
The rapper returned his attention to Nevaeh. “Good to have you and your dog protecting the place. I’m cool, you know, but my family comes here.” D-Chop’s usual bravado buoyed his tone. “I need it safe for them.”
Did that mean he was starting to think it wasn’t safe enough? Branson’s unease returned. Maybe D-Chop was questioning the job Branson was doing with security. And maybe he really would get the Phoenix K-9 Agency to replace him. If they even did long-term security jobs.
But he hadn’t been replaced yet. Branson stood a little straighter. “Then we’d better get going with the tour.”
The women turned to look at him, though Nevaeh darted her gaze elsewhere as soon as possible.
He stifled the urge to shake his head. Never did understand women very well.
“I’ll show you the parts of the grounds I want you to patrol.” He stepped to the side to let them pass through the doorway first, as his mama had taught him.
Nevaeh hurried to move in front of Jazz as if she wanted to be first out the door. Odd.
But Branson had bigger things to worry about than the woman’s strange behavior. His job security, for one. And protecting his client.
The women paused in the hallway and waited for him.
“This way.” He focused on business as he led them through one of the back doors and outside into the afternoon sunlight that warmed the crisp air. Made the temperature comfortable enough that it wasn’t a problem he hadn’t thought to grab his jacket on the way out. Sunglasses would’ve helped, though.
He shaded his eyes with his hand as he looked out across the pool and patio to the landscaped garden beyond. “On the other side of that fence,” he pointed to the wooden privacy fence that isolated the pool and garden, “is about an acre of open land behind the house. It’s secured by a chain-link fence. If you’ll follow me, we can go around to the front, and I’ll show you the perimeter there and the entry.”
“Lead the way.” Jazz gave him a smile.
He nodded to her, keeping his eyes away from Nevaeh as he stalked past the pool and out the gate of the privacy fence. He led them around the large house, pointing out spots that tended to be shadowed and the location of the security lights that would be on at night.
“The side door is lit and wired to the security system, but I’d like you to check it when you make your rounds past there.”
“Got it.” Jazz responded as the women followed a few feet behind him.
Nevaeh was back to complete silence again. Maybe she was shy. Though that didn’t match the vibrance she seemed to give off, even when silent. And there was nothing shy about the way she’d handled D-Chop.
They followed the curve of the driveway and walked past the decorative stone in the middle that encircled a couple trees and other plants.
Once cleared of the plants that had blocked the view of the road, Branson’s gaze moved ahead to the security gate and guardhouse. Which looked empty. Where was—
One of the dogs growled just as Branson saw his answer.
A body lay sprawled on the pavement.
Seven
Nevaeh broke into a run behind Aaberg, scanning the surroundings for danger, for an explanation as to why a man was down.
She reached the fallen man at the same time as Jazz.
Aaberg already crouched by him, reaching for the man’s neck.