Page 83 of Target Acquired

He laughed while her mind spun. “We’re going to base the on-duty unit here out of your house. That way you’re protected at all times. If we get a call, the off-duty guys will be here within minutes.”

“But . . .”

“We’ll keep everything—well, most everything—in the basement. Cole said it was secure. No separate exit, but it won’t take us long to put one in.”

She gaped. “You want to put a door in my basement?”

“It’d be a good safety feature to have regardless.”

“Uh, okay. Yeah, that would be fine.” She frowned. “And you’re sure the guys are okay with this?” And what if it was Butler who was out to do her in? She’d be letting the fox right into the henhouse. She searched Cole’s gaze.

“Keep your enemies closer,” he said.

So. He was thinking the same thing. And as long as she was careful, it could work. She nodded. “All right.”

“Great, I’ll get it set up. It won’t be official, of course. There’s nothing that goes on record about this, but we’ll hang out here, and when we get a call, we’ll respond.”

“And having Dolly outside will be a big deterrent to anyone who might decide to attack you here,” James said.

“Right. Dolly.” She laughed. “Okay then. I guess we’ll see how this works out.”

TWENTY-ONE

LAKE CITY STATE HOSPITAL

OCTOBER 1947

Eliza paced the small room, her mind spinning, her lungs near to bursting. Her father was coming today. According to Dr. King, she could very well go home in just a few hours if she could convince her father that she’d seen the error of her ways and was ready to be the good daughter he expected her to be.

Anger flared and she shoved it away. “Think of William,” she whispered. “Think of William.”

A knock sounded and she bit off a nervous screech. Heart pounding, she waited for the door to open. Betsy slipped inside.

Eliza ran to her friend and wrapped her in a hug. “How did you get in here?”

“It helps to have friends in high places.”

“You and Dr. King are getting awfully close, aren’t you?”

Betsy blushed. “We are.” Then she scowled. “I just need that awful Dr. Stephen to leave me alone. He is constantly making excuses to see me whenever I come visit. He even showed up at my home the other night.”

“What?”

“He did.” She pulled Eliza to the bed and they sat. “He wanted to court me, and I told him I could never go out with someone who allowed things to go on in this place like he does. The conditions are atrocious, and I told him so.”

“What did he say?”

“He left in a hurry, but said . . .” She bit her lip.

“Said what?”

“Nothing. It’s not important.”

“Betsy, what did he say?”

“He said you had it very good in here, and that if I didn’t want that to change, I’d learn to be a bit nicer to him.”

Eliza gasped. “He didn’t!”