Page 8 of K-9 in Pursuit

“I checked with the pass office. They don’t have either name in their system.”

“Which means they’re fake. Like the complaints.” He sagged back against the chair. “Why would someone do this?”

“Do you think this could have anything to do with Sharee Anderson?” Connor asked. “You rebuffed her and now she’s seeking revenge?”

Would Sharee really do something like this? The memory of the look in her eyes when Brian had told her he wasn’t interested in her filled his head—wounded, with an undercurrent of real anger. “I haven’t seen her in a couple of days. Did you talk to her about the underwear?”

“I left a message for her to call me, but I didn’t get an answer.”

“What am I going to do?” Brian asked.

“You haven’t done anything wrong,” Connor said. “I’ll arrange a meeting with Human Resources. I’m going to suggest Sharee’s pass be revoked due to her harassing you.”

“You can’t prove she sent those messages.”

“Maybe there’s a recording of the calls she made,” Connor said. “I can check.”

Brian swiped his hands down his face. “This is only going to make her angry.”

“Probably,” Connor said. “But pulling her pass will make it more difficult for her to contact you. We should probably let the sheriff know about this, too, in case she shows up at your house.”

“I don’t know. Getting the sheriff involved seems so over-the-top.” Embarrassing for him and for Sharee. “Maybe if we ignore her, she’ll give up and move on,” Brian said. “I hate to raise a stink about this.”

“I don’t think at this point ignoring her is going to work,” Connor said. “The underwear was bad enough, but complaints like this could cost you your job. And you don’t know what she’ll try next.”

He took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “I guess you’re right. What do I need to do next?”

“Let’s start with Human Resources and see what they advise. In the meantime, stay away from Sharee, and remember—we’ve got your back.”

“I will.” Sure, he knew he could count on his friends. But he hated having to be afraid of anyone—especially a teenage girl. He was a grown man. He ought to be able to handle a harmless crush on his own.

But Connor didn’t seem to think Sharee was harmless, and Brian’s gut was giving him the same message.

WHEN CHLOE DIDN’T hear anything more from the ski resort or Brian for a couple of days, she began to relax. What had happened in Virginia had probably shaken up Sharee more than the teen would admit, and she was behaving herself now, not wanting a repeat of that fiasco.

By Friday afternoon, Chloe felt like celebrating, and stopped after work to pick up Chinese food from her favorite restaurant. Maybe she could talk Sharee into a girls’ night in, bingeing Stranger Things.

She was waiting for her order when a man stepped in—tall, blond, wearing a bright red jacket with a white cross. Brian turned toward her, and recognition lighted his brown eyes. “Hey there,” he said. “I’ve kind of been hoping I’d run into you again.”

“Oh.” She eyed him warily. “Why is that?”

“I haven’t seen Sharee around in a few days.”

“I talked to her and told her to leave you alone. I’m glad to hear she listened to me.”

“Thanks,” he said. “I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but…”

“I know. Fortunately, Sharee isn’t easily wounded.”

“Chloe, your order is ready.”

“That’s me.” She turned to retrieve the bag from the server. When she faced the door again, Brian was still watching her, a troubled look in his eyes.

“Is there something else?” she asked.

He glanced around. “I don’t want to keep you from your dinner, but could we talk? Just for a few minutes.”

She glanced around and spotted a padded bench, half hidden by a row of potted palms. “Over here.” She scooted onto the bench, her paper bag of rice and Happy Family between them. When he didn’t say anything, she prompted him, “What’s happened?”