Slow Burn

“Spencer…”

She shook off his arm. She felt as if she were on-screen, in front of all those headlights. “So I shouldn’t have been here, David. At least something happened.”

“Hell, yes, something happened. And we could have found pieces of you all over this place in the morning.”

“It’s over, David. I just want to go home. Will you please leave me alone and let me go?”

She wrenched free and started walking again. He remained right behind her. She came to the wall and realized that the gates hadn’t been opened, all the cops had jumped in the same way she had. She reached for the wall and found herself being assisted. David’s hands were on her hips, and then his palm was on her rump, pushing her up. He leaped up beside her, dropping to the sidewalk on the other side and helping her down before she could protest.

“My car is over there,” she said, pointing.

“I’ll follow you home.”

“There’s no need for—”

“Spencer, it’s past two in the morning. There’s every need.”

“I’m sure I can get home safely. There aren’t any more cemeteries between here and my house.”

“Actually, there is one, that small one in the Grove,” he said with a wave of his hand. “I’ll follow you, Spencer.”

“I’m telling you—”

“God damn it, Spencer, I was Danny’s best friend! I am going to follow you home. Let’s go!”

She stiffened her shoulders and started for the doughnut store. He followed. Cops were everywhere, calling out curious greetings to David, staring at her, the ones who knew her offering awkward hellos.

Well, she was glad of the cops. She remembered thinking that they were so far away.

And they might have been. But David had been there. And his car was parked right next to hers.

She ignored him, ignored his car. But as soon as she was driving, she knew that he was right behind her. And that he would stick to her like glue. Well, she was grateful. It was a big city; night could be dangerous.

In her driveway, she slammed out of her car and walked to the driver’s side of his. He rolled down the window. “Get in the house, Spencer,” he told her. “I’m not leaving until you do.”

“Why were you following me tonight?” she demanded.

“Spencer, I’m not leaving—”

“Good. We’ll just both stand here all night.”

She jumped back, because he suddenly swung his car door open. “Give me the keys.”

“David!”

He took them from her and walked up the tile path to her door, which he opened, then stepped into the house. He looked around the foyer and up the stairway. She thought she saw a small smile curving his lips, and she wondered if he was sniffing at Montgomery elegance, Montgomery money. The house wasn’t ostentatious in any way, she thought resentfully. It was sleek, warm, inviting.

She held out a hand. “My keys, David.”

He handed them over. “Don’t forget to set the alarm when I leave,” he told her.

“I’ve been managing on my own for over a year now,” she informed him briskly.

He nodded and turned to walk out. She was appalled at herself when she suddenly slammed a fist against his back, causing him to turn with a look of surprise on his features.

She swallowed hard, determined not to back down. “What were you doing there?” she demanded.

“I told you. I was following you, Spencer.”

“Why?” she exploded.

He shrugged. “Sly asked me to.”

“You’re—you’re working for Sly?” she gasped.

He hesitated for a moment, then shrugged again. “Yeah, I’m working for Sly.”

“As of when?”

“As of this afternoon.”

“I don’t want you following me.”

“Take it up with Sly.”

“Damn it, David—”

“Take it up with Sly, Spencer. He thinks you’re in danger.”

“But I’m not!”

“And as of tonight, I agree with him. Hell, Spencer, you’re a damned danger to yourself, if nothing else. Don’t forget the alarm,” he said again.

“David, I’m telling you—”

“Don’t tell me, Spencer. Tell Sly.”

“Damn you—” she began, but he’d managed to exit, pulling the door shut behind him. She slammed the door, just as she had slammed his back, swearing.

“The alarm, Spencer!” he called back to her.

She told him what he should go do to himself.

“The alarm!”

She set the damned alarm, then turned away from the door, hurrying for the kitchen. She had good brandy somewhere, and she had never wanted a swallow of it more.

She downed half a snifter in a gulp, then stood there as it warmed her. Dear God, what a night. She knew what a stupid move she’d made. She’d been scared out of half of her hair pigment, but in the end they’d caught someone, and something might be solved because of that.