But I don’t believe it. The air feels different. Wrong. I crouch down, hesitating before reaching for the stuffed pony. The fabric is cool from the evening air. Why is it here?
No, the question isn’t how, it’s who. Who took it from Maddie and placed it here?
Someone had been inside Hopper’s house while I was there, and not just that—someone had been inside Maddie’s room. The realization slams into me like a punch to the gut. My breathing quickens, my pulse pounding in my ears as I fumble for my phone with shaking fingers.
I don’t hesitate. I go through my contacts and once I find it, I press the call button.
“Nysa?” Malerick’s voice is sharp, alert, like he had been waiting for something to happen.
“Mal,” I breathe out, gripping the porch railing for support. “Someone’s been inside the house.”
“Which house?” he asks. “I need you to take a deep breath, Nysa. Where are you?”
“I’m outside my grandmother’s . . . I arrived and . . . someone placed it here.” I am trying to put my thoughts into words but it’s not happening. I’m shaking; this fear isn’t for me, but Maddie.
There’s a beat of silence before his voice turns deadly calm. “Are you inside?”
“No,” I whisper, forcing myself to steady my voice. “I just got here. The door is locked, but . . .” I stare at the stuffed pony in my hand. “Lala was on the porch.”
“Lala?” he asks sounding confused, as if this is a prank call and I’m losing my shit. “Listen, I know things are a little?—”
“Lala, Maddie’s stuffed animal,” I cut him off, finally finding my ground because this is important. My little girl could be in danger. Maybe they have them. “Hopper, you need to make sure he’s okay.”
Mal swears under his breath. “Get back in your car. Don’t go inside. I’m on my way.”
“Hopper and Maddie,” I repeat.
“No worries, I’m already checking on the cameras around them,” he sighs. “Fuck, I knew we should’ve placed cameras in your grandmother’s home. Let me check with security. Who the fuck is shadowing you?”
Shadowing me? I don’t ask out loud though, all I do is press Lala close to my chest. Seconds later, a guy approaches me. Tall, rugged, scary, and I know I’m dead.
“You shouldn’t be touching evidence,” he states.
“Excuse me?” I finally find the strength to move, taking a step backward.
He points at the stuffed animal. “That might have fingerprints,” he states.
“Who are you?”
“He’s the agent in charge of your security,” Mal says through the phone line. “Knowing he’s there makes me breathe easier. Don’t go inside the house yet. We’ll be there.”
“Maddie. You should be checking on her. Are they okay?” I ask one more time, or maybe for the first time I can do it out loud. I’m not sure, I’ve lost track of what I’m doing or where I’m at. All I want to do is run to them, make sure they’re fine.
They’re in danger. Whoever did this wanted me to see it. They wanted me to know they were inside. That they had been near Maddie. The thought makes my stomach churn. Not only that, they know how important she is to me.
“Mr. Timberbridge is fine,” the guy—I still don’t know his name—states. “You need to go back in the car until I get reinforcements and we can go through the house.”
“Listen to him,” Mal states. “Hopper and Maddie are fine. I can confirm that. I’ll see you soon.”
Knowing that Hop and Mads are fine, I follow their orders and get in my car. The man who apparently is my shadow is looking around. Why didn’t I see him before though? Has he been following me everywhere? I don’t plan to ask right now, maybe later. I knew there was security, but someone following me all the time is weird.
Soon, red and blue lights flash against the trees as Malerick’s cruiser pulls into the driveway, another unmarked car close behind. The second the car stops, Mal is out, moving toward me in long, purposeful strides.
I shove the door open before he can reach me, my grip still tight on Lala.
He takes one look at my face and curses. “Are you okay?”
I nod, but the movement is stiff, my whole body still too tense. “I don’t know. They were close to Maddie, Malerick. Maddie. They were inside the house when I was there.”
