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She shielded her gaze and studied the sidewalks. “I don’t see anyone loitering below.”
He joined her there, mug in hand. “I don’t see him now, but he was there.”
“We didn’t see any cars following us last night. You would have told me.” She bit her lip. “Right?”
He put his arm around her shoulders. “Of course.”
Some guys kept their thoughts to themselves, but Will had been open about his. She had to remember that. She grimaced. “Sorry, Will, I was just shifting through possibilities.”
“Good to do.” He took another sip. “I expect that’s because you’re a good research scientist.”
He was sweet. “I guess, but here’s the thing. When T-shirt guy started following me, he couldn’t have known I was planning to meet you. Plus, he didn’t follow us here. How did he know where you live?”
“I have an idea.” Will walked into the living room, set his mug in the sink, and came back into the big room, looking around. “Where’s your big bag?”
She retrieved her tote from beside the couch and showed him.
“Do you mind if I search this?” he asked.
“I’ll do it.” She walked to the breakfast bar and immediately set out the small bag with cosmetics and hairbrush. To that, she added the envelope with the accounting study guide, a paperback mystery, a folded rain jacket, and other odds and ends. From the side sleeve she pulled her cell.
Will tapped a finger against his lips. “That’s all?”
She frowned. “Should I have something else?”
“Have you ever heard of an air tag?” Will took her bag. “May I?”
“Sure.” She followed him over to the couch where he upended her bag and picked up the little square object that fell out. “Is this yours?”
She shook her head, frowning. “I’ve never seen it.”
“This is how he’s finding you.” Will showed her the tracking devise. “He planted this on you, and you’ve had your tote with you constantly. We should get rid of this thing now.”
Will took out a chopping board and smashed the device with a rubber mallet.
“He knows I’m in this building, maybe even this apartment.” She leaned on her elbows and studied the shattered bits of the tag. “I’m sorry, Will. I’ve dragged you into this.”
He rubbed her back. “Don’t worry. I wonder why he didn’t approach us last night.”
“Probably because I was with you.” She tapped her lips. “I’m trying to think when he could have planted this on me.”
“It’s got to be before you met me since your stalker was already following you by then. Do you remember anyone standing close to you earlier in the day? Anyone who bumped you?”
“Let me think.” She reeled back through yesterday’s events and swallowed against the bile climbing her throat.
“Friday night. Outside a package delivery office.” She held his blue gaze, gradually gaining more confidence in the memory. “I’d just mailed an overnight envelope for my boss and was getting ready to call you. Office workers were pouring out of the elevators heading for the building’s lobby. It was really a crush. And that’s where I noticed the T-shirt guy.”
“Then not at the university?” Will asked.
“That was the first time. That’s why he seemed familiar.” She stowed her raincoat, her stomach twisting. Last night the harassment had scared her, and all she’d wanted was to escape. “I don’t understand why he cares where I’m going?”
“He wants to talk to you?” Will speculated.
She shuddered. The fact that the T-shirt guy might have an agenda terrified her. How long would this keep up? And what could she do in the meantime?
Will threw out the shattered device, clasped his hands on the counter and lifted his gaze to her. “This is just a theory, now, but if they’re crooks, which I suspect, they might want to get hold of that virus you work with at the lab.”
“What makes you think they’re bad actors?” She so did not want to hear this.
