Crossing Danger: A Shelby Nichols Adventure by Colleen Helme

and doesn’t want to mess up. So...do you have any leads?”
    “Chloe picked out a couple of cops who looked similar to the man she saw,” I said. “So it’s not a sure thing, but I’ll be going in tomorrow to question them. So it should be resolved by then.”
    Dave was thinking that didn’t sound like a sure thing at all. How was I going to know who it was just by talking to them? What kind of a plan was that? He didn’t like any of this and thought Chloe should be under police protection with someone who had a gun and wasn’t afraid to use it. Of course, if it was a cop...that just made it all worse. Could he protect her if a cop showed up? Beneath those sentiments was his real worry that his family could be in danger as well. He had a shotgun; maybe he’d better get it out.
    “The police don’t know the extent of who’s involved, so the best way to keep Chloe safe is to keep her out of their system. Having her come here is really the best option,” I said, meeting his gaze. “I think she’ll be fine staying here with you. I know I wouldn’t want my child with anyone else. I really think this is the best plan, and I’m sure nothing will happen to you or your family.”
    Dave sat back, surprised that I’d responded to his worries. “Oh...I didn’t know that. I am glad we can help her, I just hope we can keep her safe here.” Holly’s brows creased, and she shot him a glance that sent guilt flowing over him. She was thinking it was the least they could do for their niece after what she’d been through, and if he didn’t like it, he could...
    “Well, I’d better be going,” I said. “Thanks for the soda. I’ll call tomorrow.”
    Holly thanked me again and I hurried out to my car, hoping they wouldn’t get into an argument since they both had valid points. I pulled out of the driveway, watching closely for anything suspicious, but that didn’t stop the shiver of unease that ran down my spine. Dave was right to be concerned. Somewhere a dirty cop was out there looking for a missing girl, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was already watching me.
    Relieved to enter my garage without incident, I hurried inside, grateful to be home. I let Chris and the kids know everything went well and Chloe was safe. Chris and Josh were watching a football game, and Savannah had homework, so now was the perfect time to take a bath. I was exhausted, both mentally and physically, so a bath sounded wonderful.
    I hurried to my bedroom to change, and there, sitting on the bed, was the folder of my old flame and his unsolved murder. I had forgotten all about it. Picking it up, I flipped it open for another look at his picture. His eyes held warmth and a touch of mischief, like he was ready to laugh about something.
    Memories of him from our time in high school flooded my mind. I smiled, remembering the car he drove back then. It was a convertible, and he would take me on long drives. Most of the time, we ended up at the lake, where we’d skip rocks and hike around until we found a good spot to watch the sunset. He always carried a camera and took a ton of pictures. Most were of me. He called me ‘sunshine,’ because of my blond hair, and said I was the most photogenic person he’d ever known. I still had a few of those photos, and I always wondered what he’d done with the rest.
    I also remembered the way he smelled. Like a cross between Irish Spring and fresh-cut grass. I used to ask him what cologne he was wearing since I loved that smell so much, and he would never tell me. No matter how many times I pestered him about it. It drove me crazy. Now he was gone, and my heart ached to know he was dead...and worse, someone had murdered him.
    With a sigh, I read through the report. It was basically the same thing that Dimples had already told me. His wallet was taken, but they’d never had any hits on the credit cards, so whoever it was didn’t use them. They figured some homeless people took his jacket and