“Every time someone tells me that, it’s usually because they have a lot to say and something to hide.” I tilt my head. “Do you have something to hide, neighbor?”
“Is this official police business?”
That makes me chuckle. “No, because I’m not a cop.” I lower my voice and poke him in the chest. “But if I find out you’ve done more than just make a fool of yourself to get her attention, you’ll wish I was.”
Imissedfeelingsafe.
Annie
I’m sitting on my bed, holding Joan Wick close, in near tears that I have her back, when Ben storms inside and slams the door. He moves his bag to my bistro table, and I can see his shoulders rising and falling, the tension in his jaw, the veins in his neck pulsing rapidly.
He drops his head, and I hear him release a long, slow breath, then he grabs some stuff and turns to me. “Cute cat, glad she’s back.”
“What happened out there?” I dare to ask.
“We’ll talk about it later. Right now, I need to install these cameras and you need to pack enough stuff for at least a couple of weeks.”
A small part of me wants to fight him because I hate that I’m intruding on his life, but I’m also more sure than ever that I’m being harassed. I know I’m not losing my mind, I’m positive someone was in my apartment, and I’m smart enough to know that I don’t want to know what they’re going to try next.
“Okay.”
“Valuables, too, and not just monetary. For precautionary measures, I want you to pack anything that means something to you, including important documents.”
“Okay.” I kiss Joan Wick’s nose and set her down. She runs straight to Ben and starts climbing his leg.
He picks her up and scratches her head. “Hey, cat.” She hisses at him and launches herself out of his arms. “Nice to meet you, too,” he mutters with humor.
I gather my luggage from under my bed and jam them full while Ben puts up a couple of cameras. Neither takes us long, and in less than an hour, we’re back in the Tahoe, with the addition of Joan Wick and all my worldly possessions.
Ten minutes into the drive, it’s still silent. I don’t know what to say, how to make him less angry, or if I should try to lighten the mood. Joan Wick purrs in my lap, so I stroke her soft fur and forget about anything else but being grateful she’s okay.
Another five minutes goes by before Ben finally speaks. “Tell me about Poe.”
“What about him?”
“How long has he lived there? Has he always been a creep, or did that happen after you turned him down?”
How does he know everything?“What makes you think I turned him down?”
He lifts a shoulder. “It’s written all over his face, babe. He wants you bad.”
“Wait.” I gulp. “Do you think he could be the one doing all this stuff?”
“Everyone’s a suspect at this point, but I want to know more about him.”
The truth is, Poe does give off a weird vibe, but I always thought it was just him being socially awkward. “He’s lived there for like two years, I think. He works at a bank. Sometimes he makes too much food and asks me over for dinner, so we watch a movie and eat. He’s kind of a loner as far as I can tell, but he’s always been nice to me.”
“So when did he ask you out?”
“When he first moved in. But I told him I just wanted to be friends, and we have been ever since…if you count what I just told you a friendship.” I yawn. “Sorry.”
“Why don’t you go ahead and take another nap?”
“I’m fine. Actually, I should drive so you can sleep.”
He turns his head, dips his chin, then raises his eyebrows like I’m delusional. “When we get back, I’m gonna ask you a bunch of questions, and I need you to be alert for that. So sleep.”
My palms dampen, and I cautiously ask, “Like what?”
