The Unconventional Detective

Chapter 5

Tracy slept very soundly, so when her alarm went off at five, she was surprised that she had slept the whole night. It was nice not having to answer phone calls early in the morning from her chief, telling her to go out on some murder or drug bust. This vacation would be good for her. She rolled over in bed, and then finally sat up. She stretched and stood, and then walked to her luggage to find some clothes after she turned on her light. She would have to hang up her clothes later, but she had things to do first. After dressing and putting on a little bit of makeup, she quietly headed out of her room so as not to disturb the others who were sleeping. She wandered into the kitchen, grabbed a banana, then went to the front door, shut off the alarm and grabbing some equipment; she headed outside to install more alarms. A few minutes later, she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Hi Roger," she said, not turning around.

"Hey, how did you know it was me?"

"I know what your aftershave smells like," she grinned as she turned around. The sun was just coming up behind the house and she saw his sheepish smile in the pale light.

"Does it smell?"

"Not at all, but you always wear the same brand."

"Maybe I should change it," he grinned.

"It's fine Roger, really," she assured him. "Where's Grey?"

"He'll be here in an hour or so, he has some paperwork to finish on a case we just solved."

"Okay, so where do you want to start?"

"Are you done here?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Let's go work on the observatory windows then."

"Do you want to work on harnesses off the roof, or from the inside?" she asked.

"Let's start with the inside, if it is too dangerous, then we can work off the roof."

"Like that will be safer," she grinned.

"Probably not," he replied and followed her inside with more alarms, and his tool belt.

They were quiet as they walked through the house. They started with the side windows that were up against the cliff and then moved to the back windows.

"I can wait until Grey gets here, and have him help me with these windows if you want Tracy," Roger told her.

"Are you telling me that you don't think I can handle hanging out a window?" she asked him.

"I just want you to be safe, that's all."

"Thanks for the concern Roger, but I promise I will be fine, just tie the rope around my waist, and anchor it to the desk."

"I don't like this," he complained.

"Hey, I've been in tighter spots," she reminded him.

"Good morning you two," Tracy's uncle said as he walked in. He watched as Tracy finished tying the rope to her waist.

"Tracy, please tell me you are not going to wire those windows?" he asked her.

"Of course I am uncle Scott, that is why I have this rope about my waist."

"Niece of mine, I don't think that is a good idea," he protested. "I don't want you to fall."

"The only way I will fall is if someone pushes me," she said and opened the window to sit on the sill.

"Please be careful," Roger told her as he handed her a piece of the alarm. She took it from him and leaned sideways to install it on the bottom of the window.