Page 22 of Hideaway Reunion

“Absolutely.” Another slow, dangerous smile spread across Brayden’s face. A predator watching his prey step directly into the trap.

The normal quiet serenity of the Hideaway seemed ominous, now that she realized it was about to be used against her. She had one job, to be polite. She could manage that, especially with Brayden at her side.

She watched with him as two police cars arrived. One blocked in Brayden’s truck, the other stayed out front on the street. Both cars had their emergency lights swirling, but the sirens were off. Thankfully.

A third car, black and glossy, parked across the street. She had the sinking feeling the folks in that car were watching and waiting for her imminent demise. She probably should’ve called to warn her sisters about the rumors about to burn up the local gossip grapevine.

Brayden’s razor-sharp smile vanished. He might be in civilian clothing, but his posture radiated defensive mode. He pulled her up off the counter stool. “Here we go. They think they’ve caught us completely off guard.”

“Be polite,” Veronica murmured to herself, her heart hammering against her ribs. Brayden kept her panic at bay, made it easier to tap into her cool resolve. She was Veronica Hargrave. She was a professional, a business owner, the perpetual peacekeeper, and she wouldn’t let these developers tear her down.

“You’re innocent,” Brayden said. “Remember that. Nothing behind the search warrant is true. It’s just the way they spun the story for a judge.” He leaned down, pressing a quick, fierce kiss to her lips. “You are shocked, you are cooperative, and you are deeply offended. Let them search. Encourage it. I’ll stand by as your security consultant to ensure they stick strictly to the parameters of the warrant. Trust me, Roni.”

“I trust you,” she repeated, feeling stronger by the moment. “Just one thing. If this goes south⁠—”

“It won’t.”

“If we hit a snag or delay, make sure my local clients get notified and cared for.”

His gaze went soft. “You… Roni.” His voice went low and tender. “Yes, I’ll make sure.”

Outside, an eruption of slamming vehicle doors gave way to a chorus of official voices approaching the front door.

Veronica waited for the firm knock and opened the door, Brayden tall and towering behind her. Brookwell Island Police Chief Caldwell met her gaze without his usual smile. Over his shoulder, Roni saw that another vehicle had joined the party, this one with the county sheriff’s logo.

“Veronica Hargrave,” the chief began, “Due to a credible report, we have a warrant to search a building on your property for high-value, stolen goods.” He cleared his throat. “Apologies for the early hour,” he added under his breath.

The others behind him were Brookwell police officers Lieutenant Frasier and Sergeant Maggie Kinney, along with a sheriff’s deputy and a man in an expensive suit with shoes that wouldn’t stand much of a chance near her garden shed.

“Which building?” she queried, though there was only one to consider.

He produced the warrant and tapped the paper. “Garden shed.”

“I don’t know anything about stolen goods of any value,” she said. “But go ahead and do what you must.”

“Thank you for cooperating,” Caldwell murmured for her ears alone as they all processed through the front yard toward the back of the house. He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “You know Frasier and Kinney. Deputy Morton is joining us as well.”

Yes, she knew Frasier and Kinney. They were casual friends. First responders the community relied on. Deputy Morton didn’t look thrilled to be part of whatever this was. She was tempted to comment on the silent construction site and decided to just keep her mouth shut. Brayden had advised her to be polite. Better to heed the instruction than court disaster.

It wasn’t until they were gathered in front of the shed that Roni recognized the man in the expertly tailored gray suit. Silas Vanbeck, the lead corporate counsel for the Indigo Reef Development Group.

“Stand back, please,” Deputy Morton said. He and Lieutenant Frasier walked the perimeter of the shed, their voices low as they searched. “Is this your camera, Ver—Ms. Hargrave?”

Brayden walked with her to look. “Yes,” she confirmed. “We increased our security measures recently.”

“That’s aimed at private property,” Vanbeck snapped.

Veronica nearly rounded on the man, but Brayden stilled her with a subtle touch at her back. She subsided, pulling herself into perfect posture. “It’s actually aimed into the trees which are part of our property. A shame we felt the need to install it to prevent any issues with trespassers.” She’d never been more grateful that she and her sisters had been documenting every instance of annoyance and encroachment from the developers.

She caught Kinney’s eyebrows lifting over her sunglasses.

“We’ll need any footage from this camera,” Caldwell said.

“Of course,” Brayden replied. “As head of security for the Hargrave Hideaway, I can get that over to you right away.”

Vanbeck muttered into his phone. Leaving himself a note to examine the provided video for any alterations, missing time, or other anomalies. It was all Roni could do to keep quiet.

Deputy Morton examined the door and then asked both Roni and Brayden if there was anything inside that might hurt them.