“Of course we’re friends,” Rosalind said, opening the door to toss her purse inside.
“So, tell me what it is that’s keeping you up at night, and we’ll fix it together.”
“A patient of mine is stalking me,” Rosalind said, clasping her hands together as if trying to reclaim her calm.
“That sounds like a job for the police, don’t you think? Isn’t your son a cop? Why come to me when he’s better suited to help you?” Ryley asked.
“Well, technically, he would be better able to help if my patient hadn’t started the stalking after she died. My son thinks I’m bonkers. He thinks I’m losing my mind. That’s why I need your help.” There was an unmistakable plea in Rosalind’s voice.
“Damn it. I must have missed one,” Ryley said, pulling her hands out of her pockets and resting her fist on her waist. “When was her funeral?”
“It hasn’t happened yet. She’s from a prominent family, and all the evidence points to a suicide, but they’re doing a full investigation.”
“Since when do they do that for a suicide? Did the family request it?”
Rosalind shook her head and visibly swallowed. “I requested it, since the patient didn’t show any signs of wanting to die. Quite the opposite.”
Ryley crossed her arms over her chest and dropped her gaze to the asphalt. “Bet they didn’t appreciate that.” Ryley tilted her head. “You’re sure it’s her stalking you and not someone else. Someone who knows the woman was your patient. Someone who might want you to believe you’re crazy?”
“Ryley, please. You know me. I’m a sane, rational person.”
“You’re right,” Ryley said, tossing her hands up in the air. “I believe you, and I’ll help you. I promise.” Ryley glanced back at the door. “How about I come over tomorrow morning, and you can show me what you’ve got?”
Rosalind gripped Ryley’s arm. “She shows up at night.”
“Okay, I’ll take tomorrow night off, and I’ll come over and spend the night and wait for the woman. If she doesn’t show, then I’ll sage and salt your house, and you’ll be protected.”
“You’d do that for me?” Relief filled Rosalind’s voice.
“Of course, and you don’t even have to pay me.”
“Here, let me give you my address,” Rosalind announced and pulled open her car door.
“That’s not necessary, Doc. I know where you live.”
“You do?” she asked with hesitation.
Ryley shrugged. “I needed to know in case of an emergency.”
“Ryley, that’s an invasion of privacy.”
Ryley’s lips twisted at the corner. “I share the same blood with a criminal, but I never crossed that line. Your address was my safety net.” She tapped the hood of the car. “Now go home, or better yet, stay in a hotel until tomorrow just in case it’s someone alive screwing with you.”
Rosalind nodded. “I’ll do that. I’ll pack a bag and find somewhere else to stay tonight. You’ve got my number. I have appointments until five tomorrow, but the security code to get in is 4376 if you happen to get there before I do, and here’s my spare key.”
Ryley took the key and shoved it in her pocket. “Thanks. I might try to get a head start just to see what energy I can pick up.”
“Thank you, Ryley,” Rosalind said, climbing in behind the wheel.
Rosalind pulled out of the parking lot and turned toward downtown. Ryley watched until the brake lights faded away before she went back to work inside the bar.
Once her brother’s client showed up, Ryley was taking the rest of the night off. With Rosalind staying somewhere else, it would be a prime time to look around without the added emotions and extra eyes.
Ryley lost count of the number of beers she served that night after she popped the top off of three more and set them on the serving tray. The waitress whisked them away over to the promotion partiers. More than one had offered to take Ryley home and service her for the night.
She glanced down the bar to see who needed a refill when a newcomer took a seat at the bar. Everything about him spoke to her girly needs. He looked like a bad boy. Dark hair against his olive-toned skin. Deep green eyes that looked as though they could see clear down to her soul. A tattoo peeked from beneath the sleeve of his shirt.
She tossed the rag over her shoulder and sauntered in his direction.
“What can I get you?”
He glanced around the bar before his gaze settled on her again. “You Ryley St. James?”
All hope for a good time dissipated from her thoughts. There was only one guy she’d never met who was due to arrive—her brother’s client.
“Come with me.” Ryley gestured with her head toward the other end of the bar. She leaned into Kent’s ear and whispered. “No matter how much yelling you hear, I’m fine.”
Kent’s brows dipped, and she patted his arm.
The newcomer slid off the seat and followed Ryley down the hall and into the storage room. She shut the door and leaned against the wood.
“Okay, take your shirt off.”
“Excuse me?” the man asked.
“You’re here for the male review audition, right?” Ryley said.
The man’s eyes widened.
Ryley grinned and waved her hand. “I’m just teasing. I know why you’re here, but I’m still going to need you to take off your shirt.”
His brows dipped, but there was a light in his eyes and humor at the edge of his lips. “Okay.”
He lifted the fabric over his head. The tattoos that had peeked down his arm covered his shoulder in a hypnotic design.
Ryley licked her lips.
“What now?” he asked.
She took him by the arm and slowly turned him, checking out his ass before stepping back. “My brother was right. You’re not a killer.”
The man slid back into his shirt. “If you thought I was a killer, why did you bring me into this tiny room?”
Ryley lifted her gaze to
