“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I bought these yesterday. Sounds like we all need to be a little safer right now if there’s a killer on the loose.”
“This isn’t funny, Eisley!” Therese scolded.
“I wasn’t being funny.”
“She’s right,” Emi agreed. “We all need to be more careful. Do you have someone coming to set it up? Spencer did all of ours. I’ll call him.”
Spencer showed up, and Emi took Therese home.
“Thanks, Spencer.” I patted his forearm as he began opening boxes and pulling out security cameras.
“Anytime, Eisley.” He beamed. “You know I’m here for you, girl.”
“Do you want anything for your work? I could toss you a hundred bucks or something,” I offered.
“Nah, I don’t want your money. Maybe some cupcakes though?” he asked hopefully.
I grinned. “You got it. I’ll go get started now. By the time you’re done, they’ll be ready.”
“Thanks, Eisley, you’re the best.” He leaned over and planted a kiss on my cheek entirely too close to my lips.I pulled away and hurried out of the room. What the hell was that?
In the kitchen, I put earbuds in and blasted Stevie Nicks, trying to drown out all the sirens going off in my head. Those teens getting murdered were something much more sinister than some random documentary exec trying to get more fame. I focused instead on my double chocolate fudge cupcakes that Spencer always raved about when I brought them to parties.I was frosting the last one when Spencer came into the kitchen looking slightly tired but smiling.
“Job’s all done. I left the directions to download the apps and whatnot, but you’re good to go. Are those mine?” He licked his lips and reached for a cupcake.Just then, my doorbell rang and we both turned.
“You have a camera for that now.” He grinned.Everything about him lately was… uncomfortable, but I couldn’t put my finger on why.
“I’ll get the app tonight,” I assured him as I went to the door and opened it.I blinked as a huge bouquet was thrust into my arms.
“Eisley?” the delivery man asked.
“That’s me.”
“Here ya go.” He handed me an envelope and flew down my steps.
I took the flowers to the kitchen and once I could see them in better light, I froze.Delphiniums, dyed roses, solidago, clematis, senecio, all the things I’d listed this morning. How?
“Who are the flowers from? You got a boyfriend or something?” Spencer asked from behind me.
“I don’t know.” I opened the envelope, and my hands trembled as I read the note.
I’m cleaning up things for us, Eisley.
It’s time to come home.
Rule 23 - Kansas
Put your education to good use.
Ileaned against my wall, sitting on my bed, and typed on my tablet while I pressed the phone to my ear. It rang four times before I heard the click.
“Hello?” Eisley greeted me.
“Hey, it’s me.”
She let out a loud breath of relief. “Kansas, sorry. Things have been really weird here. It’s just one thing after another.”
“Yeah, I heard about the murders. Four teenagers, right?” I wasn’t that interested, but I wanted to see if my skills were as good as I thought. I typed more, and a screen popped up. I scanned the small squares, each labeled with where the cameras were. Doorbell, backyard, front yard, and her kitchen. I squinted, saw something moving, and clicked onkitchen.And there she was, little Eisley, pacing and holding the phone to her ear.
