“That’s okay. I like to live dangerously. Let’s go.”
She walked up the stairs.
“Wait until I’m in the bedroom and in position until you turn on the light.”
She nodded at him. Macca slipped inside the bedroom, moving silently. “Walk in here, baby. Then make your way to the bathroom like usual.”
She switched on the light as he’d told her. Then she walked over to the attached bathroom and switched that light on.
“He’s up the tree,” Macca told her in a low voice. She stiffened, as she stood in the bathroom, waiting. It seemed like forever, but it was probably less than a minute before she heard Macca say, “Jed’s got him!”
Her heart leaped in her throat and she had to grasp hold of the sink. Her legs shook. Macca stepped into the doorway with a big grin. It faded when he saw her.
“Jesus, Daisy. It’s all right now. It’s over.”
“Is Jed all right?”
“Of course he is. Takedown was easy. Guy wasn’t even aware Jed was there. Too busy getting his binoculars out of his backpack to spy on you, the fucker. He wasn’t armed. Didn’t even put up a fight.”
“I need to see Jed.”
He studied her, nodded. “He’ll be up soon as he can. Why don’t you come downstairs? I’ll make you something to drink.”
“I don’t need a drink.”
“You sure look like you do. Come with me, Daisy.” His voice suddenly deepened. Funny Macca was gone and in his place was a commander. Who wasn’t someone you should disobey. She stepped forward and took his hand. She let him lead her out of the bedroom and downstairs. Suddenly, she was in her living room, looking around it as though she’d never seen it before.
Jed had caught him. She’d been living this nightmare for days. Felt unsafe in the one place she should feel safest. And in a few hours Jed had made everything all right. She felt dazed.
“Bain, Daisy needs a drink.”
“Chocolate,” she whispered. “There’s chocolate milk in the fridge.”
Macca’s eyes warmed for some reason. “Okay, baby. Chocolate milk it is. Come sit.” He led her to the sofa and helped her sit. Then he sat on the coffee table in front of her.
“Jed’s really all right?”
“He’s fine,” Bain answered then handed her a glass filled with chocolate milk. “Just getting a few answers from this guy.”
“Thanks,” she managed to get out without looking at Bain. Then she tipped the glass up and drank it in five big swallows.
She took a breath. “I need another.”
Macca’s eyes widened. “You really like your chocolate milk, huh?”
She felt herself blushing. They must think she was an idiot. When Macca had said she needed a drink, he’d probably meant an alcoholic one.
What kind of grown woman drank chocolate milk?
“Um. . .”
“No need to be embarrassed.” Surprisingly, it was Bain who spoke. His voice was rough but he was gentle as he grabbed the glass from her hand. “I’ll get you some more.”
“Should we call the police? Does Jed know the person?” she asked.
“Just waiting to hear, baby,” Macca told her. “You know as much as we do.”
This time she sipped the glass of milk Bain gave her more slowly. The chocolately goodness wasn’t soothing her the way it normally would.