Right, he’d said that. “But if we both felt it, why didn’t we see anyone?”
“Just because we didn’t see a threat doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Consider black ice. When the conditions exist for black ice patches on the road, you drive more cautiously even though you can’t see it, right?”
It was true. Black ice was a nasty surprise when I did basic training at Great Lakes near Chicago. It was my first winter out of Texas, and I hated it.
“Do you think it was Paul?”
“Hard to say, I didn’t see him.”
Chapter 22
Matt
Ididn’t see Paul, but I’d sure as hell check if he was on duty today.
“I should warn you, I plan on telling Jay and asking him to check Paul’s schedule.”
Madi sighed. “Thank you for the heads-up.”
“I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
Madi’s head hung in defeat as she walked inside.
I hated doing this to her, but her safety came first.
Felt like we were being watched during Madi’s lunch. Can you check on Paul’s whereabouts?
Jay’s text was instant.
On it. Where were you?
Walking near the clinic.
Thanks. Keep your eyes up.
A woman walking her dog smiled and waved.
A man jogged down the sidewalk, his focus never shifted from the ground in front of his feet.
Jay confirmed Paul was on shift. He also told me Paul co-signed a lease in Weatherford but hadn’t moved yet.
Two girls played hopscotch on the sidewalk just down the block.
Patients came and went.
I was on high alert, but no one stood out.
Just because Paul’s on dutydoesn’t mean he wasn’t here.Firemen often left the station to run errands and such. He would’ve been in uniform, which meant he’d stand out.
The next day was more of the same. Madi had lunch with Carol, as she insisted I call her when I wasn’t in her exam room, and Alice.
As I stood sentry on the porch, I examined every house on the street. By the end of the day, I’d memorized every fence, tree, and shrub.
I’d catalogued a dozen places someone could hide.
Doug came by just before the clinic closed to double-check his measurements.
While Madi and Carol escorted him around the clinic, I kept myself company by playing memory games with the houses on the block.
