She’d know what to do, I thought, but I couldn’t tell my best friend about what was going on with Jasper. No point in dragging others down with me if I ended up getting arrested.
∞∞∞
Early the next morning, I snuck out of the apartment. The sun hadn’t yet risen, and the house was still silent. If I was lucky, I’d make it back before my shift began. Thankfully, Gran was going to take the children to school.
It was almost an hour later when I pulled off route 30 into Eden, which was two towns over. Maybe I was overreacting, but I didn’t want to take the chance of being spotted purchasing a cell phone. Exercising caution wouldn’t hurt.
I parked in front of a small electronics store that had seen better days. Empty buildings surrounded the shop, long abandoned by their owners. The entire neighborhood seemed to have lost its spirit.
When I walked inside the store, I went straight to the counter, eyes darting around the darkened space. A balding, middle-aged man nodded at me. “Morning. What can I do for you?”
“Hi. I’d, um—I’d like to buy a phone.” I cleared my throat, lowering my voice. “A disposable one. Please.”
I half expected the authorities to pop from behind the magazine racks and arrest me on the spot.
Luckily, the man only shrugged. “Sure thing.” He reached below the counter and pulled out several boxes. “We got all the latest models. All depends on your budget. The pricier ones, of course, come with better features--”
I grabbed the nearest box. “This one’s fine.”
“Great,” he murmured as he took the box from me and rung it up on the till. “That’ll be forty bucks. Cash or card?”
I pulled a few notes from my bag and handed them to him.
He handed it to me in a blue plastic carrier bag. “You passing through? Only folks I get in here these days are just stopping off before they carry on to their next destination down the highway.”
I nodded quickly, clutching onto the bag for dear life. “Yeah, I’m just passing through. Thanks!”
I rushed out of the store, still feeling invisible eyes on me. After I made it back to my car, I leaned against the seat, heaving a deep sigh. “I’m definitely not cut out for a life of crime,” I muttered.
The next stop was to a store nearly forty-five minutes away. Just to be safe.
I picked up a few toiletries for Jasper and grabbed him a few changes of clothes.
I rushed out of there afterward too, even more relieved as I climbed inside my car once again. All I had to do now was get back home. After I’d stuffed the shopping bags on the floor of the backseat, I began the drive back to Serenity Cove.
Tantalizing scents filled my nostrils as I walked into the kitchen, and my stomach rumbled.
Leroy, my cook, sauntered past, one eyebrow raised. The spiced sweetness of honey sriracha enveloped me, eliciting a groan. He lifted the tray in his hands higher, giving me a view of SharpEats’ signature grilled wings.“I’ll fix you a plate.”
I grinned. “You’re a star, Leroy. I’ll be right back.”
“Qwinny, wait. You’ve got a couple of visitors.”
I turned back to him, raising my own brow. “This early? Who are they?”
“Police.” Leroy nodded to the swinging doors. “Been here about ten minutes. They wouldn’t tell me anything, ‘cept they wanted to talk to you. I set them up with some coffee near the back.”
My chest spasmed, my breath lodging in my throat. “The police?”
“Detectives.” Leroy’s broad shoulders hunched over as he peered into my eyes, concern wrinkling the corners. “Everything okay, Qwinny girl?”
My trembling hands clutched my bags tightly. “Y-yeah I’m fine. It’s probably nothing. I’ll deal with it.” I forced my lips into a semblance of a smile, but it felt more like a grimace. Avoiding his gaze, I trudged to the swinging doors.
Leroy had a lot in common with my grandmother. Despite their advancing ages, their senses were keener than most. Leroy was like an uncle to me. Once again, guilt suffused me. The number of people I was forced to deceive just kept growing.
And now I’m about to lie to the police. Great.
I made a beeline for my office and stored the bags underneath my desk. As I walked back to the restaurant, I prayed for calm. My trembling fingers pushed open the door, and I walked onto the restaurant floor.
