Chapter Fifteen

“You did what?” Sidney exclaimed.  Payton was right. He was not taking the idea of her being in Ovechkin’s house very well.

“It was a last minute change. I didn’t spend more than an hour and a half there.  Nothing happened. He was professional, a gentleman even.”

“A gentleman?  That’s hard to believe,” he sneered. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?” It had been two days since she’d been to Arlington. She hadn’t found the right time to tell him before now.

“You were in New York. I wanted to tell you when you got home.”

“Because you knew I’d be mad.”

“Why are you mad? I told you nothing happened. It was fine, just another job.”  He just scowled at her.

“Brooks! Come on,” he called out.  The five month old pup trotted in on his gangly legs.

“Where are you going?”

“For a walk,” he snorted, grabbing Brooks’ leash and heading out the back door.  Payton let out a deep sigh. He was just going to have to get over it.  She didn’t do anything wrong and neither had Ovechkin, yet she still felt guilty. She didn’t tell him that Alex had hit on her a little. But she didn’t consider it a serious come on anyway. He had been teasing her.  It seemed like that was just the way he was.  She was sure he was that way with everyone. 

She washed up the few dishes in the sink and went about her chores for the day.  She’d find a way to make up with him when he came back.  She didn’t do anything wrong, but she didn’t like it when he was mad. Maybe she could treat him to a back rub.  That would make them both happy. She loved having her hands on his body. He had an amazing body.

The sound of breaking glass brought her out of her daydream. She rushed into the living room.  The window near the front door was broken. There was scattered glass everywhere and a large rock lying on the rug.  Payton peered out the window, her heart racing.  She saw no one. The street was empty.  She looked back over the mess and let out a nervous breath. A puzzled look crossed her face and she bent to pick up the rock. There was writing on it, just one word: Pride.  She didn’t understand. Why would someone throw a rock through her window?  Why would this message be on it?  She sat the rock on the side table and went back in the kitchen to get the broom.  Brooks bounded in suddenly and Payton quickly grabbed his collar to keep him from investigating the glass. 

“What is it?” Sidney asked noticing the look on her face.

“Someone threw a rock in my window.”

Sidney’s face suddenly looked stricken. He went quickly to the window and pushed her back when she came in with the broom.

“Call the police,” he ordered. 

“It’s just a rock. Probably some kid. It’s not-”

“I said call the police,” he repeated forcefully.  He looked over the writing on the rock and his face became angry.

“Sidney, what is it?” She’d never seen him like this.

“Call. And stay in the kitchen with Brooks, please,” he said more gently, realizing he was scaring her.

Sidney was with the officers for nearly an hour.  Tony arrived at the house before the police did and he and Sidney engaged in a quietly heated discussion that Payton could not hear from the kitchen.  She finally gave up, realizing that Sidney was not ready for her to understand what was going on. She sat at the kitchen table and let out a frustrated breath.  Normally, she would insist (no – demand) to know what was going on, but Sidney’s reaction frightened her more than she cared to admit.  She sighed again and Brooks lay his head across her knees and looked up at Payton with his big blue eyes.  She patted his soft head to reassure him as much as herself.  A few minutes later, Sid appeared in the doorway.  She went to him and wrapped her arms around him.

“Tell me what’s going on,” she mumbled into his chest.

“Sit down,” he said and pulled another chair near to sit opposite her. He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes.  He told her about the letters, explained that they had been getting more threatening. She listened quietly, watching his face, seeing his own anxiety creep into the corner of his mouth.

“You didn’t tell me before.”   It was a simple statement, but an accusation was implied.

“I didn’t want to scare you for nothing. I didn’t think you were in any danger,” he said defensively.  She stood rather quickly, bumping her chair back and startling Brooks who jumped to his feet.  She looked at him and then back to Sid and raised her eyebrows.

“You got him because of the stalker, didn’t you?” she accused him.  “If you didn’t think I was in danger, why get him?”

“Payton,” he started.

“No, I can’t believe this!” she exclaimed, running her hand through her hair. Brooks was still on his feet watching her as she paced back and forth.  He was whining slightly.  Sidney rose from his chair and tried to take her in his arms. She pushed back against his chest and struggled with what she wanted to say.

“You… you sh-should have pre-prepared me!  I-I-I could have been wa-watching for someone or something. You should ha-have trusted me. I cou-could have helped you.”

“Helped me?!” he exclaimed. He wrapped his arms around her and she did not resist him this time.