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She’s barely standing up, unsteady on her feet as she carries the crystal vase that holds the long-stem roses. She’s smiling through her exhaustion as she buries her head into the perfumed bouquet before opening her door, something I imagine she’s done a few times since they arrived at the precinct.
The sound of a car pulling up grabs her attention. My heart quickens. Through another camera, I see Nate Robinson stepping out, along with two other people. This should be interesting.
Frankie peers through the door peephole, and her brow furrows as she recognizes them.
She swings the door open. “Nate, what’s going on? Jay? Why are you here? I just left,” she says, her voice heavy with exhaustion.
“Frankie, we need to talk. This is important.” Nate’s tone is serious.
She lets them in, and I switch my view to a wider angle, making sure I don’t miss anything. “What’s going on?”
Jay steps closer, crossing his arms. “We received a report about someone hanging around your place last night. It might be nothing, but with the serial killer on the loose, we’re here to check things out.”
Frankie blinks a few times. “I had a dinner date a few nights ago, but I haven’t seen anyone hanging out around here. I was at work until about nine last night. Who called it in?”
“Anonymous caller,” Jay replies.
“Fuck,” she sighs, running a hand through her hair. “So, what now?”
A female officer steps up, holding a device. “We’re going to perform a comprehensive scan of your home, Frankie,” she explains. “We’ll check for any unauthorized surveillance gear, hidden cameras, and any other tampering. You can’t be too careful these days. If someone’s got their eyes on you, they might have planted something—could be a bomb, incendiary device, a bug or anything else that could jeopardize your safety. We want to make sure your home is secure.”
Frankie’s eyes widen, but she nods, stepping aside. “Hey, Sarah. Do what you have to do. I won't let someone fuck with me in my own home.”
My heart is practically beating out of my chest. Fuck. This wasn’t part of the plan. I watch the cop, Sarah, closely. I know exactly what she’s going to find.
After some time, Sarah’s device beeps. She pulls out a tiny, sophisticated camera from an inconspicuous spot on the bookshelf and holds it up. “Nate, I got something. It’s a camera. There could be more.”
Frankie’s face pales as she backs away from the lens. “What do you mean a camera? How is that possible?”
Nate’s face hardens. “It means someone’s been watching you, Frankie. Monitoring everything you do.”
A flash of panic crosses her face. “This can’t be happening…who would do something like this?”
Sarah and Nate share a look that makes my skin crawl. “Whoever it is,” Sarah says, “they’ve got serious resources and technical know-how.”
“Fuck.” Frankie slumps into a chair, head in her hands. “I can’t believe this…”
Nate lays a hand on her shoulder. “Frankie, we’ll find out who did this, I promise. But for now, you need to be somewhere safe. Somewhere they wouldn’t expect. How about my place?”
“No way, Nate. Not in a million years,” Frankie says, spitting the words out.
Jay steps in, sounding like a concerned father. “Frankie, you can stay at my place. I’ve got that extra room.”
Is he serious? Absolutely not. She’s not staying with any of them! I grab my phone and tap the screen.
“Hello, Damien?” she answers, her voice trembling. “Uhm, thanks for the flowers, they’re beautiful.”
“Are you okay? You sound upset—what’s going on?”
Her voice softens. “Oh, Damien, Jay and Nate are here. They found a camera inside my house. Someone’s been spying on me…”
“God, Frankie. Do they know who it is?” I press hard on concern, and she buys it.
“No, they have to figure it out. I just feel so violated.”
I switch my tone to concern and comfort. “Well, you shouldn’t stay there,” I insist. “Come to my place. It’s secure, and you’ll be safe with me.”
Nate shakes his head, clearly eavesdropping. Frankie’s eyes dart around, and she walks down the hall. “I don’t know Damien, I mean are you sure? Just for a few days until they can secure my house?”
