Revealing Annie - Freya Barker Page 0,53
Initially she complies but then she suddenly turns around and starts moving along the path back to the house.
Strange, she’s not been one to pull hard like this, but for some reason is in a hurry today. She doesn’t let up, not even when I try to slow her down. She just strains against her leash, throwing her entire weight into it, and I’m starting to get an uneasy feeling the closer to home we get.
My truck is still parked behind her car in the driveway to make room for my parents; I haven’t had a chance to move it yet. The house looks normal, but my sense something is off only gets stronger when I cross the street. Daisy still does not let up on the leash, in a hurry to get home.
I see it when I walk up the path, a plastic bag hanging off the doorknob.
Daisy is already sniffing it before I get up the steps. Then she takes a few steps back and I hear her softly growl, her eyes on the door. A cold chill crawls up my spine.
Fuck. I didn’t lock the door when I left.
Didn’t remind Annie to lock it either. I didn’t even think of it after the weekend with a houseful. Annie was never alone. Not until now.
I take a careful peek in the bag and immediately close it again, bile surging up my throat. Next I grab the knob, turn it, and swing the door open.
Daisy almost knocks me over as she darts inside, tearing the leash from my hand.
Annie
“I promise I’ll do better staying in touch,” I convey to Edward, who had some choice words for me.
He’d watched a Durango PD cruiser, as well as a crime tech van, pull up outside my trailer and had been worried. He’d apparently gone out there demanding to know what was going on and was intercepted by Keith Blackfoot, who assured him I was all right.
He was still pissed, though.
“You better,” he grumbles. “About had another heart attack.”
A pissed-off Edward apparently doesn’t hold back punches either. Ouch.
“If I have a chance, maybe I’ll pop in this week. Hopefully things can go back to normal soon.” He harrumphs in response so I add, “Be nice to Hattie, will you?”
“Pain in my ass, that woman is.”
“Edward…” I scold him.
“All right, all right, don’t get yer panties in a bunch.”
Before I have a chance to answer, he’s already hung up. He never said anything about my real identity, which I assume means Keith kept that part to himself. I’m thankful for that, because it’s something I’d like to address myself, but my neighbor doesn’t give me the chance. Old coot.
I already cleared the rest of the week with my manager at the store. To say he wasn’t happy would be an understatement. He mentioned Ted had taken my early morning shift and it would be his choice if he wanted to keep it or not. That would be a real bummer, because I like that early shift, but there’s nothing I can do about it now.
The only other call to make is to the shelter. More guilt, because I know Margaret is probably shorthanded.
I’m in the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water, when I hear a sound from the front door. Just a slight rustle. Kyle is back already? He’s barely been gone ten minutes. But when I hear nothing else, I dismiss it and dial the shelter. Margaret answers right away.
“How are things?”
“Peachy. Critters miss you, though. Feeling any better?”
Yup, there’s the guilt.
“Actually, I lied about that. I haven’t been ill, but I’m having some personal issues I’m trying to deal with.”
“Who do I have to beat up?” she says without hesitation.
“I wish I knew.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“It’s a little troubling. Remember my car was vandalized? Well, that wasn’t an isolated incident. More stuff has happened, someone’s been inside my place.”
“The fuck?”
Margaret’s vehement response startles me, almost making me snicker but I forge on instead.
“Anyway, I’m trying to lay low for a bit—”
“You’re coming to stay with me.”
“That’s kind of you, but—”
“No arguments,” she barks.
“Margaret, I’m already staying with Sumo. Remember Blue’s partner?”
“The hottie EMT, yeah. Good. Hope you’re getting yourself some.”
This time I don’t hold back my laugh.
“Not gonna answer that, but I am going to need a few more days to sort this out.”
“Call the cops is what you oughta be doing.”
“They know. They’re on it.”
It takes me another few minutes to reassure her I’m in good hands, and no, I don’t