Second on Spencer’s hit parade was Dani’s jerkoff ex-boyfriend. Dr. Dumbass was a little too interested in the book he wanted back for it to be just a matter of fulfilling his mother’s promise to a cousin. Which reminded Spencer that he still needed to get the title and do some research.
And the final possibility, the worst one, was that whoever murdered Regina had heard that Dani was investigating and smashed up her place as a warning for her to back down. If that was the case, they needed to make a list of who she’d contacted and what had been said.
Depending on when the home invasion had taken place, Vance and Bliss could have alibis. They both had been in Spencer’s presence or Dani’s from six to nine o’clock.
Spencer had followed the football player when he’d left the dinner and gone to a local bar. As King had pounded down bottle after bottle of beer, Spencer had studied the hulking young man. Something was eating at the kid. Whether it was a guilty conscience from murdering Regina Bourne or a different matter completely, King wasn’t a happy camper.
The guy had still been drinking when Dani called a few minutes ago. Fortunately, Spencer knew that the bar’s manager had a taxi company on speed dial and the football player wouldn’t be allowed to drive.
While Spencer had no jurisdiction away from campus, he’d made it a point to meet all the employees of the local watering holes. As head of university security, he felt responsible for the students no matter where they sought after-school entertainment.
Pulling behind Dani’s parked vehicle, Spencer jumped out of his truck. Just as he made it to the van, Dani swung open her door and hopped out. Her eyes were red and her breathing was ragged, and Spencer’s chest clenched as if a giant fist were squeezing his rib cage. It was all he could do not to take her in his arms.
With a hitch in her voice, Dani said, “Thank you for coming. I was so scared and I was afraid to call the police. I didn’t know what to do.”
Spencer’s stomach knotted, but he kept his face expressionless and said, “That’s understandable.”
Although he hated it, he had to agree with Dani that calling the cops was probably not their best option. It would be too easy for Mikeloff to hijack the case and make any evidence against him disappear.
“But if I don’t report it, my insurance company probably won’t cover the damage.” Dani’s chin trembled. “Either way, I’m screwed.”
“We’ll figure something out.” Spencer realized he’d taken her hand and was running his thumb across the soft skin of her palm. Dropping her hand as if it burned him, he said, “I’ll go see what’s been damaged and take pictures, then once we have it documented, if you want to make an insurance claim, we’ll call the police. It’s possible the repairs won’t be much more than your deductible.”
“I don’t want you to go inside alone. It could be dangerous.” She frowned. “What if the criminal is still there and shoots you?”
Spencer watched as Dani’s plump lips pursed into an adorable pink rosebud of concern and forgot she’d asked him a question.
“Well?”
He forced himself to focus. “I’m sure the perp is long gone,” Spencer assured her. “If he wasn’t before you got home, he sure is now.”
“I still don’t like it.” Dani’s jaw firmed. “I’m going with you.” When he started to object, she added, “Or I’ll just call 911 and take my chances that Detective Mikeloff isn’t assigned to my case.” She nodded to herself. “That’s probably best.”
“No!” Spencer barked, then said more softly, “Let’s go take a look first.”
“Okay.” Dani glanced over her shoulder into the van’s interior, where Ivy, Tippi, and Starr were avidly listening to Spencer and Dani’s conversation. She pointed a finger at them and said, “You girls stay here with the doors locked. We’ll be right back.”
“Be careful,” Ivy called as Dani followed Spencer to his truck.
The short ride to the mansion was silent, but as Spencer backed the pickup into Dani’s driveway, he said, “This is how we’re doing this. You will stay behind me at all times. You will immediately comply with my commands. And you will not touch anything.”
“Yes, sir.” Dani saluted, slid out of the truck, and narrowed her eyes. “But only because you’re the one with the gun and the training. Otherwise, as I told you, I’ve been taking care of myself for years and have done a damn good job of it.” Gesturing to the front entrance, she said, “I see how the guy got in. The front door’s ajar. I didn’t notice it before.”
“Who has a key?”
“Just the girls and me.” Dani’s cheeks reddened. “But I keep one hidden in a specially designed stone next to the steps.”
“As soon as we finish here,” Spencer said, “you need to call a locksmith and have a double dead bolt installed on all the doors. And no more hiding keys outside. Everyone and their grandmother know about those fake rocks.”
“Back off. I will entertain suggestions, but ordering me around isn’t going to fly.” Dani put her hands on her hips. “You’re right about the lock, but I’ll call tomorrow. I’m not paying after-hours prices.”
“I’ll contact my friend. He’ll come first thing in the morning, before his regular shift.” Spencer put his hands on his hips too. “And I’m sleeping here tonight.”
“Fine.” Dani’s smile was mocking. “But the sofa isn’t very comfortable.”
“You don’t have a guest room ready?” Spencer lifted an eyebrow.
“Not yet.” Dani’s pretty amber eyes twinkled. “But maybe you can talk Ivy into bunking with Tippi, who has twin beds in her room and you can have your niece’s suite.”
“I suppose that’s one solution. I mean if you aren’t willing to share,” Spencer drawled, then shook his head. He really had to stop flirting with Dani. “Now that we’ve figured out the sleeping arrangements, let’s get this show on the
