***
Hannah stood beside the living room window, looking onto the quiet street. Since Brett had left half an hour ago, only two cars had driven by. None of them had slowed to investigate her home or shown any interest in what was happening behind her front gates.
She glanced at her cell phone and called Claire’s phone again. Still no answer. She imagined her sister lying in a cold, dark ditch somewhere. Or worse, sitting in a van with her arms and legs bound and a mouth gag to stop her from screaming.
Hannah crossed her arms in front of her chest. She needed to stop thinking the worst. Claire could have gone to visit a friend or decided to go home a different way. She could have a flat tire or her truck might have broken down. She’d been complaining about the battery on her cell phone. It could have lost its charge and be useless for calling anyone for help.
Standing here was making her crazy. She closed the curtains, turned on the lights, and walked through to the kitchen. If she couldn’t do anything except wait, she’d make herself a cup of coffee. A strong, black cup of coffee. And if there were some of Claire’s chocolate brownies in the pantry, she’d have one of those, too.
She gnawed on her bottom lip while the coffee pot heated. She looked at her watch, then checked her cell phone to make sure Claire hadn’t sent her a text. Nothing.
If she hadn’t heard from Brett in the next five minutes, she’d call him. Then she’d call Claire’s friends. Someone must know where her sister had gone.
With a plan in place, she went back to the living room, flicked off the lights, and opened the curtains. Sitting in the dark, staring at the street, was better than worrying about Claire from the kitchen.
Hannah nibbled on the chocolate brownie, sipped her coffee and prayed that her sister was okay.
She nearly dropped her cup when a truck turned into the driveway. With her nose pressed to the glass, she gave a sigh of relief when she recognized the driver. Claire was home.
She threw open the front door and rushed across to the garage. “Where have you been?”
Claire reached inside the truck. “I’m sorry I’m late. On the way home I remembered that we needed more milk. While I was at Safeway, I bumped into Holly. We started talking about her wedding and, before I knew it, half the night had disappeared. Is everything all right?”
“No, it’s not all right. Why didn’t you call me?”
“My stupid cell phone wouldn’t work. I’m taking it back to the store on Monday. The battery should have lasted a whole lot longer than it has.” Claire looked at their home. “Why did you turn off the living room lights?”
“I didn’t want anyone to know I was sitting in the living room waiting for you. I thought you were stranded on the side of the road or that someone had kidnapped you.”
“Why would you think that?”
Hannah took the carton of milk out of her sister’s hands. “Because someone attacked Dave and left our photos beside him. Just because the police arrested the people they think were involved, it doesn’t mean there aren’t other people waiting to make their point.”
Claire took another grocery bag off the passenger seat. “Your imagination has been working overtime again.”
“It wasn’t only me. Brett is looking for you.”
“You’re joking?”
“I wish I was. I’ll take the milk inside, then give him a call.” Hannah put the milk in the refrigerator and pulled out her phone. Claire followed her, helping herself to a chocolate brownie while Hannah called Brett.
When he didn’t answer, she frowned. “That’s strange. He always answers his phone.”
“Maybe he’s driving?” Claire suggested.
Hannah didn’t think he’d ignore his phone, regardless of what he was doing. “I told him I’d call him if you came home.”
“He’s probably doing something else. Try again in another couple of minutes.”
Hannah sat on a stool while Claire made herself a cup of coffee. “I told Brett I’m going to Vancouver.”
Claire smiled. “So you’re definitely going?”
“As long as everything looks okay on my visit. Brett was upset.”
“He cares about you.”
Hannah rested her elbows on the counter. “He loves me.”
