“You’re a man after my own heart,” I told him.
“I hope so,” he said, and took another bite.
I hoped so too.
Chapter Twelve
Emma
We were back in Daniel’s loaner truck, with the windows rolled up, and some old rock n’ roll playing softly in the background. I probably should have been more stressed out than I was, but Daniel’s calming aura had a way of making me feel like I was always safe in his presence.
“So, you really think this guy isn’t the culprit? Because everything would finally make sense.”
“I’m telling you, Al doesn’t have anything to do with the note.” Daniel shook his head and peered out the windshield.
“What makes you say that?”
“His personality. He’s just a quiet guy who likes his routines. He’s also pretty friendly, but also the nervous type. I once saw a pretty girl speak to him, and he literally just blurted the word ‘boobs,’ and ran.”
I grinned. “Boobs?”
“Yup. And once he started babbling to me about a new computer game. I was polite, but didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. I ended up hearing him call himself stupid over and over again on the way to his car. I felt bad for the guy.”
“Okay, he doesn’t really sound like the stalking harassment type,” I admit, “but I will feel better after we talk to him.”
Daniel turned down a street, into a quiet neighborhood. We drove along, each house looking almost identical to the next. Little houses with brown shutters and white siding with almost non-existent front yards with small patches of neatly trimmed grass. Daniel pulled up to one at random, one of the only houses with the lights on inside, and turned off the engine.
“Just remember,” Daniel said into the silence. “I’m here, and I’ll never let anyone hurt you.”
“I believe that,” I told him, feeling my cheeks heat, and then I opened the door, trying to escape before he noticed the effect his words had on me.
I stepped out of Daniel’s shiny loaner truck and led the way to the front door, feeling more confident with him behind me. When he put his hand on the small of my back I couldn’t help but smile. It was a small touch, but it was an intimate one that made me feel cared for in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time.
“Al is a night owl, so he’s always up, but he never answers his damned phone. I texted him three times. Hopefully he’s actually here.” Daniel had already me told me as much, but I had a feeling he was talking to try to soothe my nerves. It was a kindness I appreciated.
I froze in front of the door. The house certainlylookedlike someone was home. A light flickered in the front window, like a TV was playing, and I swore I could hear the sound of the TV too.
“Hang on,” he whispered and pulled a gun out from somewhere under his jacket.
Um, okay. I hadn’t even realized he was packing. But he was a former sheriff. It was probably second nature for him. “What’s wrong?” I asked, matching his hushed tone.
“The door.” He nodded toward the door which I belatedly realized was ajar.
“Oh, no,” I breathed.
Maybe the guy was just forgetful. I’d left the door open a time or two after carrying groceries inside. It didn’t mean anything was wrong. Right?
I started to move forward when Daniel grabbed my shoulder with his free hand. “Stay here. Go back to the truck and be prepared to call 911 if I’m not back in a minute or if anything happens. Do not come in after me.”
“Maybe it’s nothing,” I whispered.
His gaze never wavered from the door. “Trust me, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.”
Tears threatened to fill my eyes as my adrenaline caused my body to react. But I nodded, then did as he asked, hurrying back down the porch steps and stopping in front of the truck. I turned just in time to see Daniel disappear into the small house.
“Oh, geez,” I moaned and shifted my phone from one hand to the other. This whole thing felt strangely ominous. Actually, the house kind of felt ominous. And the realization made my breath catch. A slightly open door might be a reason for an ex-cop like Daniel to be cautious, but this feeling was like the nail in the coffin. I didn’t have the ability to read a room like my friends did, but something bad had happened or was happening in that place, my gut was suddenly sure of it. How had I not sensed it before getting to the door?
A ghost appeared in front of me, causing me to squeak, jump, and drop my phone. “Geez!”
