You'd made it clear you didn't want a security detail, but the local police and the federal agents involved weren't giving you a choice. The notes, always complimentary at first, had escalated from your mailbox to inside your own house. That last part was the breaking point.

The stalker's pattern had recently shown ties to a larger, ongoing NCIS investigation—specifically, one that crossed lines from military personnel to civilians, which is why NCIS Special Agent Caitlin "Kate" Todd was assigned to your protection. She was the best fit for a civilian detail.

She stood just inside your living room, already looking over the space, though her posture was relaxed. She wore a simple dark T-shirt and jeans, looking more like a slightly older college student than a federal agent.

"I know this is unsettling," Kate said, her voice even and calm. She caught the slight tension in your shoulders, a little flicker of the fear you were trying to hide. "The goal isn't to make you feel like a prisoner in your own home. It’s to keep you safe." She paused, then gave a brief, understanding smile. "Look, we can make this fun too, or at least less awful. I'll be staying here, and we'll keep everything as normal as possible. Let's just go over the house layout now."