“She left to go back to work. I started to run a bath, thinking it would help me relax. But, then I remembered someone from the phone company was supposed to be at the office at three, so I went back there to wait for them.”
“Why? You could’ve called Jake. Had him take care of it.”
Gracie shook her head. “He left, remember? He told me he was going to finish up with you guys, then close the office for the day and work from home.”
“You’re right. I stand corrected. Anyway, it’s probably a good thing you weren’t home when that guy got there.”
“No kidding.”
“Okay, so you went to the office. What happened next?”
“I went to R.I.S.C., the guy came and fixed the intercom system, then I went back to my apartment. Only, when I got there, my door was cracked open. I was sure I’d locked it when I left, but started to second guess myself. I pushed the door open a little more, and that’s when I saw the mess.”
“And the man? Where was he?”
“In my bedroom. I could see his reflection in the mirror hanging above my nightstand.”
“Jesus, Gracie.” Nate sat back in his chair and ran a hand over his five o’clock shadow. “If you could see him, he just as easily could’ve seen you.”
“I know. That’s why I didn’t keep the door open like that. Once I saw him, I pulled it so it looked like it did when I got there. Then, I just stood and listened at the door.”
She could tell Nate wanted to reprimand her for sticking around rather than going for help. Instead, he asked, “What did he say?”
Hating that she could still feel the pure, unadulterated fear from that day, Gracie licked her lips nervously and took a breath before telling Nate everything she could remember.
“He told whoever he was talking to that he couldn’t find it. And before you ask, no. I have no idea whatitis. Then, he said not to worry. That he’d keep looking for the”—she made air quotes—“‘McDaniels bitch’ until he found her. Me. Whatever. Anyway, the bastard swore he’d do whatever was necessary to get me to tell him where to find whatever it was he was looking for.” Gracie looked down at her hands, which were clenched into fists atop the table. “That’s when I got really scared.”
“And you could hear what he was saying from all the way outside?”
Gracie gave him a half smile. “He talked really loudly for a burglar. Almost like he didn’t care if anyone heard him. His voice really carried, too, so that made it easier.”
“Do you think you’d recognize it if you heard it again?”
“Absolutely. Between his vocal tones and his accent…I’ll never forget it.”
“Accent?” Nate perked up at that. “What kind of accent?”
“It sounded middle-eastern. I’ve never been great at accents, though, so don’t quote me on that.”
“You said you got a good look at him?”
“I did.”
“That’s good. I’ll have you sit down with Zade tomorrow and give him the description so he can put together a sketch for us.”
“Zade can draw? Wow. Who knew?”
Nate chuckled. “He’s a man of many talents.”
Gracie grinned but then hid a yawn behind her hand. “Sorry. I haven’t slept well since…well, this whole week, really.”
“I can imagine. Where did you go after you left your place? And where have you been staying this whole time?”
“I hid in the bushes behind my apartment building and waited until the guy left. When I felt it was safe enough, I ran inside, grabbed a change of clothes and a few hundred dollars I keep stashed away for emergency money, and flagged down the nearest cab. From there, I changed hotels every couple days, just in case. Then, I came here. To you.”
Gracie’s mind whirled from memories of that night. She didn’t even notice Nate getting up and coming over to her until he spoke again.
Much like he’d done in the office after she’d first learned about Craig, Nate squatted down in front of her and put a hand over hers.
