“You’ve done the right thing calling me,” the officer reassured. “Help is minutes away. Keep the line open. Your job is to protect your family by staying with them. Mine is to deal with whoever’s in your house.” Daniel nodded, though the officer couldn’t see it. “Just hurry.”
But as he hung up, instinct wrestled with reason. Every creak below sounded closer, every shadow at the crack of the door darker. His pulse roared in his ears. Despite the warning, his legs carried him toward the stairs—because he couldn’t stand waiting while danger prowled beneath his roof.