“A man?” I ask, making sure I’m getting this.
“Yes! He just waltzed right up to Jade’s door. At first I thought it was just a friend, or even a salesman, but he was dressed rather oddly, you know?”
Holding back a sigh, I say, “Sure. How exactly was he dressed?”
“Oh, I’m glad you asked! He was wearing dark clothes. I couldn’t see his face because he had it covered by his hood, but I did see a slip of dark hair peek out when he was leaving.”
“Okay. And is that all he did? Just knock on her door?” I ask, wondering why this warrants a call to me.
“Oh, no. See, that’s what I thought at first. But then he started walking around and looking in her windows! Now, I know it could just be a friend, but you see, when he left I watched as he walked down the street a bit and got into a red car. Nothing too unusual about that, is there?” she asks in a way that lets me know she has more to say.
Continuing to play along, I just say, “No, wouldn’t think anything of it.”
“Ha! But you’d be wrong. I’ve seen this car before.”
I let out a sigh of frustration. “So, you know who’s looking for Jade?” I don’t like the thought of another man looking for her. Could it be an ex? Her father, possibly?
“Nope,” the old lady says with nothing more.
“Mrs. Ira, it’s been a long day. Can you please tell me what is so important that you’d call the station to talk about Jade?”
“The red car. I’ve seen it a few times circling the block over the past couple weeks. It slows down near Jade’s house every single time. This was the first time I’ve seen someone get out or on her property, and it just doesn’t sit right with me. Especially with these murders, you know? I didn’t want to panic, so I tried getting a hold of her to see if she was expecting anyone, but like I said, I can’t get a hold of her, and now my mind is just worried. What if this guy has her?!” she shrieks into the receiver, making my ears hurt.
“I’ll tell you what, why don’t I head on over to the bakery to check things out,” I say to make the old woman happy. I’m confident Jade is safe at work, but I wouldn’t mind seeing her.
“Oh, thank you, dear. I knew you would make sure she is okay.”
“Thanks for calling, Mrs. Ira.” I hang up the phone before she can say anything more.
Closing the files I was working on, I head out to the front of the station and let Beatrice know I’ll be right back. The weather is warm today. Forecast is supposed to be in the high twenties this week with it reaching thirty by Sunday. I pull my shades out of my chest pocket, putting them on and start my walk down the street to the bakery.
As I get close, I see Jade walking out the door with a man who smiles at her, and I feel a little bit of jealousy roll through me. Who is this guy? And why is he looking at her like that?
“No problem, Jade. Hey, are you doing anything after work? Maybe we could get a drink at the brewery or something?” Ioverhear as I come up next to them, and my blood boils. Who the fuck does this guy think he is? My eyes narrow his way, and I rest a hand on the small of Jade’s back, claiming her.
“Oh, hi, West.” She smiles.
“Hi, beautiful.”
Her cheeks flush at the endearment, and the guy that I now recognize as Lance Fox glances from my hand to the smile on Jade’s face. That’s right, buddy. She’s mine.
“You know what, never mind,” he says, backing away.
“Thanks again, Lance!” Jade calls as he starts walking to the parking lot across the street.
“Sorry to interrupt,” I say, not sorry at all.
“Oh, no worries. Lance was just here restoring our power,” she tells me.
“That explains the phones. Mrs. Ira called worried because she couldn’t get a hold of you.”
“Oh! Sorry. I didn’t even hear my phone ring and the shop hasn’t had power to get through our store phone. Do you know what she wanted?”
“I do, actually. Do you happen to know anyone that drives a red car? Or were you expecting anyone at your house?”
Her face twists in thought as she thinks about it. “No. Not that I can think of. What’s this about?”
“Mrs. Ira noticed a red car that she claims has been watching your house. I guess the owner was looking through your windows today.” And fuck. Now that I’ve actually registered how that sounds, I don’t like it one fucking bit.
