Page 18 of Guarding Truth
“Why, Ivy?”
His niece shifted in her chair. “What if the person comes back? Or shows up at your job? I know you can defend yourself, but—” Tears spilled down her cheeks, and she turned away.
Caleb shook his head and glanced at Juliette. “Let’s start over. We had a break-in last night, but that doesn’t mean the person will return. The police said they’ve had a few burglaries in the area. And I’ve changed the locks and security code.” He threw his hands up, as if to apologize for this bizarre encounter.
Juliette shrugged. “Ivy seems to think something bigger is going on. She walked from the school to my office. I just want to make sure you are both safe.”
“Ivy walking the streets of Savannah by herself isn’t safe.” He turned to his niece, lowering the volume of his voice. “You should have come to me with your concerns.” He loved that Ivy wanted to protect him, but she’d gone overboard.
Ivy trembled. “But what if the person shows up at your work? Maybe this isn’t about robbing us. Maybe the person is after you. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Caleb’s resolve melted at the sight of tears rimming Ivy’s jade-green eyes. How could he be mad at her when he had the same fear of losing those he loved?
“I get it, Ivy. More than you know. But I don’t think hiring a bodyguard is necessary.”
More tears wet the collar of her school uniform shirt.Oh, Ivy. His heart pulsed with love for his niece, but a bodyguard? Who happened to be Juliette Montgomery?
Not going to happen.
He shot Juliette a pleading look, not sure what she could do in this situation. One more reason on his list of why he made a terrible parent. How could he console Ivy after this break-in had destroyed her sense of security?
Juliette tilted her head. “Caleb, what if you agree not to go to the office today? Maybe take a day off.”
He put his hand on Ivy’s shoulder. “Would that help you realize that I’m safe? I was going to go into the office this afternoon, but maybe I can work from home the rest of the day.”
Ivy wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Yes. Today and tomorrow. Please don’t go to the office. Just stay here.”
“But you have to go to school. After yesterday’s trouble, you can’t miss any more classes. Are you willing to go to classes for the rest of the day? I’ll give you back your cell phone so you’ll be able to get in touch with me anytime you need me.”
“Yes, if you promise not to go to work.”
Caleb nodded. “It’s a deal. Why don’t you get your books and get ready for school.”
As Ivy headed to her bedroom, Juliette leaned closer to him. “Do you want to tell me what’s really going on?”
He blew out an exasperated breath. “I don’t like the recent chain of events. You know I don’t believe in coincidences. My company is a cybersecurity firm. The bank that was just robbed is one of my clients.”
Juliette’s eyes lit with recognition. “I’m all too familiar with the robbery at First United Bank. I was there.”
“What? You were there when men stormed the bank with guns?”
She nodded. “I had to make a deposit. Just a simple errand that veered way off course.”
“Well, Rushmore has been sending threats to my company, trying to attack our software. We’ve been fending them off, but then someone breaks in and steals one of my laptops? It all ties together.”
Juliette sat back in the dining room chair. “So maybe you do need someone to watch your back. It might not hurt to have me hang out for a day or two. Just in case you’re a target.”
“But it’s more about my software than me personally.”
She squinted. “How much more personal does it get than a home invasion?”
“Well, when you put it that way, it does seem like I’m on the radar for these hackers. But I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Coffee. You need coffee. Let’s drop Ivy off, and then we can discuss this over coffee. And maybe some bear claws.”
Juliette and her snacks. He bit back a smile at the memory. The woman had always been eating some kind of sugary snack.
Plus, how could he say no to her pleading eyes?