“Your phone,” she said with a laugh. “It’s been driving me nuts.”

“Oh. Right.” He tugged his phone out of his pocket and swiped his finger across the screen. “Yes?”

“Mr. Talford?” A woman’s voice, vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t place it.

“Speaking.” He kept his face and voice neutral.

“Thank goodness I got ahold of you. This is a very difficult phone call to make. I hope you won’t be too angry with me, but I’ve made a terrible mistake.” The woman sounded agitated. Mick wasn’t sure why, but internal alarm bells were ringing. He could feel Sarah’s gaze on him.

“Who is this?”

“Sorry. I should have—I’m a little unnerved, you see.” He heard her exhale heavily. “It’s Ellen Davis from the Windham Employment Agency, and I’ve done you a terrible, terrible disservice. I didn’t check thoroughly enough the credentials of the assistant I sent to your house.”

Crap. This did not bode well. “I beg your pardon?”

“A Lieutenant Hawkins is in my office.”

Fuck.

Sarah raised her eyebrows. What? she mouthed.

Mick shook his head, tapped a finger against his lips. Sarah nodded, her eyes intent on his. Mick put his phone on speaker. “A who?” he replied, keeping his voice disinterested.

“Lieutenant Hawkins.” Sarah froze. Every cell in her body appeared to have revved to high alert. Mick captured her hand with his free one. Her fingers were cold. “Apparently, the employee I sent to you is—” Mick heard the woman on the other end of the line swallow hard. “She’s a fugitive. The police are looking for her. There is no excuse for not having vetted her more carefully. I am so sorry . . . Hold on a second.” He heard the woman from Windham Employment cover the mouthpiece of the receiver. Could hear the muffled murmur of voices. Could see a tremor course through Sarah, so he wrapped his arm around her and tugged her to his chest. The woman came back on the line. “I’m going to put Lieutenant Hawkins on the phone. He’ll be able to explain the situation more concisely.” A barely audible moan emerged from between Sarah’s lips. She slapped her hand over her mouth. Her eyes, which had locked on his, were dark and drowning in panic.

“Mick Talford. Lieutenant Kevin Hawkins here.” The man’s voice had an amiable, authoritative quality to it. “I’m a fan of your movies. Hey, look, we’ve got a situation here. I’m hoping you can help me out.”

Mick could feel tremors running through Sarah’s body. He ran his hand in slow circles on her back, letting her know she was not alone. “What’s going on?”