Simon Says Die

to feel nervous at the expression on his face. “And what happens after he makes this call?”
    â€œAll hell breaks loose.”
    M ADISON SAT ON the end of the couch, as far away from Lieutenant Hamilton as she could. The uniformed police officers were sitting in her home office now, instead of the family room, at Pierce’s insistence. He, Hamilton, and Madison were sitting in the family room. Madison was pretty sure he’d done that to keep her from slugging one of them and being hauled off to jail.
    One of these days she was going to have to get her temper under control.
    The doorbell rang. Both Hamilton and Pierce jumped up and headed out of the family room into the foyer. Madison clenched her fists, determined not to let her emotions get the best of her. She knew what that doorbell meant.
    Hamilton’s warrant had come through.
    He was going to take her computer and her printer. And there wasn’t anything she could do about it. It was ludicrous that someone would think she’d had anything to do with those threatening notes. Why would she do that? It made no sense.
    Hamilton gave her a smug look as he headed back through the family room with a white piece of paper in his hand. He slapped it into Pierce’s palm before going into Madison’s home office.
    Pierce sat down next to her. “I guess I don’t have to tell you the search warrant came through. Want to see it?” He held up the piece of paper.
    â€œNo thanks.”
    He slid the paper into the inside pocket of his jacket just as the doorbell rang again.
    Madison jumped up, but Pierce placed his hand firmly on her shoulder. “I’ll get it. Stay here.”
    She plopped back down on the couch.
    Pierce disappeared back into the foyer. The sound of several voices, familiar voices, had Madison jumping off the couch and heading into the foyer as well.
    Pierce gave her an exasperated look when she joined him, but he didn’t try to stop her.
    Braedon and Matt stood in the open doorway, and Madison could see several work trucks behind them, and a group of men unloading equipment off the trucks.
    â€œAre you here to dig the footers? I thought you weren’t coming until next week,” she said.
    â€œWe had a cancellation,” Braedon said. “Figured we could fit your project into the schedule today, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œWe do mind,” Pierce said.
    â€œNo, we don’t,” Madison said. “I appreciate you fitting me in. Come on. I’ll get you some coffee. I could use some friendly company around here. And then you can start right in on the footers. There’s no reason not to.”
    â€œWhat’s going on here?” Hamilton stepped out of the front room.
    Madison took Braedon’s arm and tugged him toward the kitchen. “None of your business.” She offered him a smirk. “Come on Matt. I just made a fresh pot.”
    Braedon glanced back at Pierce and grinned. “Sorry, little brother. Can’t disappoint the lady. Matt, you heard her. Come on.”
    Pierce shook his head at her, but he stepped in front of the lieutenant to provide interference.
    Madison headed into the kitchen and grabbed two fresh cups.
    Braedon and Matt leaned against the far counter.
    â€œWhat’s with all the police cars out front?” Braedon asked.
    â€œPart of the continuing saga of my stalker problem. How do you take your coffee?” She reached for the cream and sugar.
    â€œBlack,” Matt said.
    â€œMe too. What do you mean your stalker problem? In addition to the vandalism, someone’s after you?”
    She handed each of them a cup of coffee and leaned back against the sink. “Someone left a threatening note. It’s not the first one. Pierce thinks I should leave town.”
    â€œMaybe you should,” Matt offered. “At least until they catch whoever is doing this.”
    â€œIt’s not that simple.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œGood question.” Pierce’s deep voice sounded from the doorway. “I think it’s time to cancel your renovations and leave until everything settles down.” From the angry look on his face and his sharp tone, Madison figured his latest encounter with Hamilton hadn’t gone well.
    She frowned. “If I run away, it’s not going to fix anything.”
    â€œWhen’s the last time you ever stayed in one place more than a few months? You were living out of