Erotic Deception by Karen Cote' Page B

contradiction to the man’s age, instantly alerted Lily’s professional training. His clean sandy hair, blue plaid shirt, and Chinos also indicated he wasn’t homeless.
    He shifted and she tightened her grip on the mace.
    “Don’t make me use this,” she threatened.
    “Lily!” Jet shout was from the front of the house.
    “Back here!” she returned.
    Once again, the man tried to inch away.
    “I told you not to move!” she yelled.
    The man screamed and crashed his back against the door. Covering his ears, he slid down and buried his face between his knees. He began to cry.
    Although feeling like a bully, Lily didn’t know what she was dealing with here. Still cautious, but compelled to reassure him, she spoke in a softer tone.
    “I won’t hurt you as long as you stay where you are.”
    Jet appeared with gun in hand and stopped short at the cowering man, a strange expression crossing his face.
    “Do you know him?” Lily demanded.
    Jet nodded. “His name is Bob McEvers and he lives with his dad not too far from here. Stay put,” he instructed.
    Lily got her first clear view of Jet as he approached the other man. His teal t-shirt and ratty blue jeans showcased his tight-sexy buns and beltless narrow waist. It occurred to Lily that it was the first time she’d seen him without his uniform. Well except for last night, but she wasn’t going there.
    “Bob, what are you doing?” Jet asked in a calm tone.
    The petrified man’s response was to rock back and forth.
    Jet glanced at Lily and in a quiet voice explained unnecessarily, “He has a mental disability.”
    She nodded. “Is he dangerous?” she asked equally low.
    “Not that I’m aware of.”
    “He’s my Peeping Tom from last night,” she said.
    Jet crouched down and tugged Bob’s hand away from one ear.
    He inveigled him in a soft voice, “Don’t be frightened, Bob.”
    The man jerked closer to the door.
    “Bob,” Jet tried again. “Look at me. It’s Sheriff Walker.”
    With a little more persuasion, Bob removed his hands and looked with tear stained eyes at Jet.
    “I did nuthin,” he darted fearful glances between Jet and Lily, his disability more pronounced.
    “Bob,” Jet’s voice was firm, but gentle. “You’re doing something. What’s the hammer and screwdriver for?”
    He averted his head and shook it.
    Jet tried again. “You scared Lily. Did you mean to do that?”
    This time his negative motion was emphatic.
    “Then why were you trying to break her lock?”
    A few seconds passed and the Bob responded tearfully, “Dad’ll get mad!”
    “Mad at what, Bob?” Jet coaxed, but when he didn’t answer, he asked. “Did you do something to get in trouble?”
    “Dey were down by de school,” Bob said in a muffled tone. “I juth wanted to take care of de kiddeeths. Der mommy left dem.”
    “Kittens?” His eyes shot to the door behind Bob. “Did you hide kittens in that room, Bob?”
    Bob nodded and shot Lily an accusatory look. “She locked dem up.”
    “I don’t think she knew they were in there,” Jet said and glanced at Lily. “Get the key.”
    Lily obeyed and ran around the front of the house. Seconds later, she had the key and took the short cut through the patio doors. Her legs were rubbery descending the stairs, a residual reaction in finding someone trying to break into her house. She handed the key to Jet.
    “Bob, move away from the door.”
    Bob hesitated and then did as Jet instructed. The opened door only proved the room stood empty as before. Bob peeked around Jet’s shoulder, his fingers moving rapidly together in front of him. His nervous gaze darted to the wall in the corner.
    “Where are they, Bob?” Jet asked.
    With apparent reluctance, Bob entered the small room and in a surprised move, opened a hidden door to reveal a crawl space behind it. Jet and Lily moved in closer and noticed the cardboard box near the back wall. Bob reached down and picked up a tiny white bundle. He petted the kitten in a