InSight

break down the barriers.
    “Dr. Gallant isn’t your typical woman,” Pete said. “Don’t be drawn in because she’s blind and you want to protect her. Compassion can get a man in a heap of trouble, and right now you’re looking for something to give you back what you’ve lost.”
    “Well, who’s the shrink now?” Luke asked. “Actually, you’ve taken the words right out of my mind. I’m way ahead of you.”
    “I’m serious. Be careful.”
    Pete’s words rang true. Abby had caught him off guard. Was Pete right? Did her vulnerability fill a need to protect her that his deafness had robbed him of on the job, or were his feelings an honest physical attraction? Either way, he hated leaving her alone and felt lodged between the proverbial rock and hard place. He’d talk it over with his therapist, but at the moment he didn’t have one.

Chapter Five
    It’s Not Over

    “W hat happened here, Dr. Gallant?” Bertie asked. “I know you said break-in, but why?”
    Abby was glad her housekeeper could come and clean up the mess the intruder left. “I don’t know. My computer and TV are still here, and unless you find something missing, I don’t think robbery was the motive.”
    “Then what?”
    “I don’t know. I wish I did.”
    “Papers everywhere. I’d put them in order, but I can’t read them little dots.”
    “That’s okay. Gather them up, if you would. I’ll sort them later.” Abby heard Bertie moving objects, organizing papers, and fluffing sofa pillows.
    “Lord, child, it is a mess.”
    “Don’t tell me. It’s too upsetting.”
    “Don’t you worry your pretty head. Bertie’s here. I’ll get it straight for you.”
    Abby ran on Saturday mornings at a local track with her friend and guide runner, Jackie Davis, but she cancelled their standing appointment without going into specifics.
    Pete Valkonis called around ten. “There were a few sets of prints in your house. We’ve identified yours and your mother’s. None of the others are on file.”
    “How do you know they’re my mother’s?”
    “Do you really want to know?”
    Abby thought about Lucy and her past life. “No, I’ll take your word for it. The only other people who come here are my housekeeper, intern, and secretary.”
    “I have to ask this. Any possibility one of those women is capable of doing this?”
    “Absolutely not.”
    “Then whoever broke into your house must have worn gloves. Have you given any more thought to patients who might want to throw a monkey wrench into your life?”
    “Only all sleepless night long, and I’m no closer to an answer than I was yesterday.”
    “The telephone number was untraceable, probably from a throwaway cell.”
    “Do you think he was close enough to watch when I came home?”
    “Anything’s possible. I’ll have the cruisers add you to their routes.”
    The thought of police cars circling her house every hour made the break-in even more ominous. It meant Detective Valkonis worried that the intruder might return. “Do you really think that’s necessary?”
    “Can’t hurt.”
    “I appreciate your concern.”
    “Let me know if anything suspicious occurs or if you get another call. Anything, okay?”
    “I will, and thanks.”
    Abby decided to check her email before doing any work. Nothing from Luke McCallister, which caused an irritating twinge of disappointment. She opened the only email since yesterday, and an uncontrollable wave of panic shot through her.
    It’s not over , the mechanical voice said.
    * * * * *
    P ete Valkonis called later in the day. “I’d like your patient list, Dr. Gallant.”
    “You know that’s privileged.”
    “Someone’s trying to hurt you, and I can’t help if you’re not willing to be forthcoming.”
    “Well, I’m not. But I will vet my patient list. I promise if I find anything pertinent to your investigation, I’ll inform you. Fair enough?”
    Valkonis exhaled a long breath. “I guess it’ll have to be. Don’t wait too long. This guy’s fixated on you. I don’t want to scare you, but guys like this become bolder the longer they go unchecked. We need to find him and fast.”
    “You are scaring me, Detective.” An understatement. Her heart pounded like a jackhammer.
    “I’ll get back to you.”
    “I’m ready to leave, Dr. Gallant,” Bertie said. “Got everything back in place. Anything else I can do before I go?”
    “Thank you, Bertie. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Would you let Daisy out, please?