more I think about it, it’s kind of funny. I drop my phone onto the sofa to change into something before Silas gets back with our dinner. I should put on sexy pajamas.
It doesn't take me long to realize I don’t actually own sexy pajamas. I glare at my closest. I need to go shopping, but who has the time when you have a killer to track down, a new employee to train and a hot boyfriend to do naughty things with.
Wait. That thought stops me in my tracks. Silas is my boyfriend, right? I jerk around and look out my window when I think I hear something. Toby jumps onto my bed and stares out the window with me. We stay still and listen. When I hear something snap, I run toward the living room to find my phone. I pick it up to call Silas but realize I don’t have his number.
Okay, maybe he’s not my boyfriend, then. I should have his number if we're together, right? This is not time to have a fight with yourself, Jamie, I tell myself. You need to focus. Don’t become a victim because you panicked.
I scream when a knock sounds at the door. “Police.” The knock sounds again even louder. I look through the peephole to see a woman and man in police uniform standing there.
“Can I help you?” I ask through the door. Would I look guilty if I said I wasn't opening the door if this was about Trevor?
“We got a call about someone lurking outside.”
At that, I flip all my locks and open the door.
“I thought I heard something.” My heart starts to race.
At least Silas isn't here. It has to be the killer. Who else would be lurking around my house? I’m so glad they didn't get a glimpse of Silas. The longer they don’t know about him the safer he is until I figure this mess out.
“We’re going to take a look around, if you don’t mind.”
“Yes, please.”
They step off the porch and head around the house. I bite the inside of my lip. What if this is a trap? Maybe it’s only the police trying to find evidence against me about Trevor. But Trevor isn't dead. He’s hiding. He’s probably the one sneaking around in the dark! And I didn’t do anything wrong. They can snoop around. They aren't going to find anything, if that’s what they’re really up to.
I chew my lip as I wait for them to return. After what seems like an hour but is probably all of five minutes, I hear them coming back.
“All clear,” The woman says. “If you hear anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
“Um, okay.”
They get back into the police cruiser and take off. My stomach turns. What if someone had really been outside my window? What if Trevor was about to strike?
I need to get my head back in the game. I’m busting into Trevor's place tonight one way or another. I hope Silas is up for a little breaking and entering. I’m going to need his help. “At least now I know what to wear,” I think as I step back into the house and lock all my doors. That catwoman costume from a few Halloweens ago will do perfectly. I would ask Silas to be Batman, but he’d probably think I was even nuttier than I already am. Then again, he’d look incredible in a tight black suit with his muscles defined and his large dic--Focus, Jamie! Gah.
15
Silas
The police are easy enough to evade. They go right to the house and start asking questions as I quietly skirt the shared property lines, jump a few fences, then creep out to my car, start it up, and roll away.
They’re probably kicking in the door by the time I’m dialing Mr. Chen’s and ordering Jamie’s favorite menu items as well as a few things for me.
I drive over to the restaurant, my mind not letting go of Lindsay Calhoun. Why did that stick out? Something keeps trying to fire in my memory, but I can’t quite grasp it. Like a firefly that blinks once then goes dark for far too long a time. And when you see it two yards over, you let it go. Except, I won’t let it go.
“Extra egg rolls.” The cashier pushes the haul across the counter to me.
“Thanks.” I smile and pay, then return to my car.
A police cruiser rolls by, but I don’t worry. They aren’t looking for me.
I itch to get