Real Shadows - M.E. Clayton Page 0,9

it did, I deserved answers, right?

“And the police can’t help her?” I asked. “Maybe a gun or self-defense?” Karla lifted her chin a bit, and I could tell she was getting offended at having to defend her friend, but this wasn’t a ride to the store she was asking for. She wanted me to tie myself to a complete stranger financially for hundreds of thousands of dollars. “What about security cameras?”

“She knows some self-defense but isn’t comfortable with guns,” she replied. “In the current state her mind is in, she’s afraid she’d accidentally shoot someone out of paranoid fear.”

“And cameras?” Security cameras were always the first line of defense against intruders.

I could tell Karla was getting frustrated with me. “Of course, she’s set up cameras before,” she huffed. “It’s another reason she thinks he might be a cop or into computers because the feed is always messed up or erased. She’s even tried old fashion recording cameras, but those always come up missing. It’s like…” Karla let out a soft, sad chuckle. “It’s like he’s got a camera in her apartment and knows what to look for.”

“Maybe he has a tracker on her car,” I suggested. “How do you know he’s not just going to follow her here?”

“I don’t even think she’s thought of that,” she mumbled quietly. I watched as she jumped out of the chair and ran into the living room. When she came back in, her phone was in her hands, and her fingers were flying across the screen. “That would explain why he can find her no matter where she goes,” she continued to mumble.

I waited until she was done firing off her text before saying, “I’m not saying I’m going to do this, Karla, but I’d have to meet her first. Talk to her.”

She rolled those pretty hazel orbs at me. “Well, of course, Xander,” she muttered exasperated. “You know, you’re not the only person who would be taking a gamble here.”

I leaned forwards with my arms on the table. “How so?”

“Fallon would be trusting you with everything she has,” she replied. “She would have to trust that you won’t just sell her house out from under her. Or rent it out. Hell, you could even take out a second mortgage on it or suck out all the equity.” Karla mimicked my position. “You could literally walk away with every cent she has and leave her with nothing.”

Now it was my turn to bristle and get offended. “I would never do that to someone,” I stressed though clenched teeth. “Ever.”

Her eyes rounded and her head reared back. “You don’t think I know that?” she gawked. “Why do you think I’m asking you for this, Xander?” She leaned back in towards me. “Next to Trevor, you are the most honorable man I know in this town. You were the first person I thought of when the subject came up.”

I felt like a fool and calmed myself. “I’m sorry,” I rushed out. “I know you weren’t trying to insult me, Karla.”

“Look,” she said, suddenly sounding tired, “Fallon won’t be here until tomorrow evening, or so. I’m sure she’ll be exhausted and just want to rest. Why don’t I set up something for the next day when you guys can meet? It’ll be Saturday, so maybe you guys can meet for coffee at Beth’s or you can come here.”

I glanced at Trevor who’s been quiet this entire time. “No thoughts?” I asked him, putting him on the spot.

Trevor shook his head. “I don’t have enough experience with what Fallon’s dealing with to have any helpful ones,” he replied.

I looked back at Karla and thought about what she said. It made me feel marginally better thinking about Fallon taking on a big risk herself. It made me feel as if this could be legitimate. But I would still have to meet her first; get a feel for her. “How about I just come by here?” I suggested. “That way she’s where she’s comfortable and not surrounded by a bunch of strangers in an unfamiliar town.”

Karla nodded. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.”

The rest of the evening felt strained and I hated it. Trevor and Karla were my safe place. I trusted them with my life and I’ve always felt welcomed in their home. But tonight was uncomfortable.

And I had a feeling it was only going to get worse.

Chapter 5

Fallon~

The cab driver pulled up to the curbside and I let out the breath I felt like I’d been holding