After finding a body weight workout on YouTube and doing it, she showered, then started searching for a lawyer. Her timer rang in the middle of searching, informing her she needed to prepare for class. The day was getting away from her, and she hadn't picked a lawyer yet.
Her classes went well, and she had just ended the last session when the doorbell rang. She jumped up, her heart racing. Panic made her movements jerky, and her phone flew from her hand.
She bent down to grab it as the person started banging on her door. Who the hell could that be?
Ansley moved so she could see the alarm panel, seeing that it was on. Then she remembered the cameras. She grabbed her phone and saw a text from Link saying that the person banging on the door was one of his neighbors and to ignore it. She texted back, asking why the neighbor was acting unhinged.
She pulled up the doorbell camera to see the neighbor walking away. The interruption from the neighbor had shaken her. Another text came through from Link.
I called the neighbor.They were wondering why the police kept driving past. They didn’t mean to scare you. I’ll introduce you to him this evening. He’s older, and he has some issues from serving in the military. I kind of trust him, but not fully, so don't go over there alone. He likes to make stuff up.
She read the message again,then shook her head and rolled her eyes. PTSD was a bitch, and she would give the guy space.
I won’t leavethe house. I already did a bodyweight workout inside. I’m going to prepare for my interview in DC this afternoon, then I’ll probably read.
After sending the text,she headed into the kitchen and fixed a snack, then sat at the table and looked at the email she'd been sent about the interview. She was taking the train to DC and would spend the night at a hotel, then return the next day after the interview. She'd thought about flying, but the train would take about the same amount of time and be less stressful.
She ended up falling asleep as she was reading and woke to the sound of the alarm beeping like someone had opened the door.
Her heart rate increased, fear racing through her. Then Link called out.
“Hey, I’m home.”
She blew out a breath and then stretched. “I’m in the bedroom.”
Link stepped over to the door to the bedroom as he was pulling his shirt off. “Did you have a good afternoon?”
“I did. I ended up falling asleep. Just woke.”
“So the neighbor. He texted while I was driving. He wants to meet you.”
She ran her hand through her hair. "Okay. Let's go meet him after you put on different clothes." Link's gaze raked down her body, and she heated. It felt good to have his gaze on her. "Or we could put it off and do something fun."
“We could. But I—“ The doorbell rang and Link rolled his eyes. “That’s probably him. He must have seen me pull in.”
“So sex later. Let’s go meet him.”
Link grabbed a shirt and pulled it on. "No time like the present." The bell rang again, and Link called out, "Coming."
Ansley hoped this guy wouldn't be a problem. Link opened the door, and the neighbor didn't smile. Instead, he studied her with intensity.
“So you’re the woman who is being harassed. I’m Ken Walker.”
She wasn’t sure how to take this man. He certainly was direct. “Um, yes. But it will be okay.”
“Link didn’t tell me anything other than your name. I looked you up. That video is fake. Anyone can see it. I found the original story and video. You weren’t there. So this guy that is lying, he’s not in police custody.”
She was a little shocked that Ken had looked up information on her. “That’s correct. I wasn’t on the pier when Craig died. And no, Pete isn’t in custody.”
Ken nodded matter-of-factly. “I’m going to make sure the neighborhood watch people keep watch. If anyone is snooping around the neighborhood, we’ll call it in.”
“Thank you. That is great.” Ansley didn’t like that everyone in the neighborhood would know her business, but it would bemuch worse if Pete showed up here. At least someone would be watching out for her.
At first,Link planned to tell Ken he didn't need to do anything, but Ken said they would call it in to the police, not try to deal with Pete on his own.
“Thank you, Ken. We don’t know what this guy will try, but we think it’s best if the police handle it.”
“I agree. If you need anything, Ansley, give me a call. Link can give you my phone number. The neighborhood watch is serious here. We’re here to help.”
