“Well, it smells delicious. Thank you so much.”
“Of course. And if you need tomorrow off, don’t even worry about it. We can have you continue another day when you’re ready.”
I internally scoffed. My fake dead uncle could get me a day off from work, but my very real injury couldn’t. The offer was tempting, I had to admit. But what was I going to do? Hide in my house all day wondering when the man with the scar would come calling? At least at the Brownings’ house I’d have the protection of other people around, even if two of them were small children.
“No, it’s fine,” I told Melanie. “I’ll be there.”
Melanie gave me a curious look, and I felt like I’d said the wrong thing. I’d been young when my mother died and didn’t remember the etiquette of death, but I knew people expected certain behaviors.
I forced my face to look desolate and exhausted, the look Iremembered most from my father’s face back then. “It happened so quickly and unexpectedly; it’s going to take a few days for the family to get things in order. I’ll just be in the way right now.”
Melanie gave me another sympathetic nod. She reached out and gently squeezed my arm in a move so tender, it made me feel guilty for lying to her. “Well, you take your time when you need it, honey. In the meantime, enjoy that casserole and we’ll see you in the morning.” She waved by way of wiggling her manicured fingers and sending her rock of a ring glinting.
“Thanks, Melanie. See you tomorrow.”
She turned and stepped off the porch. Behind her back, I made eye contact with the agent in the SUV. I held up the casserole in a half shrug as if offering it to him. He nodded his head once and didn’t get out of the car, so I assumed he wasn’t coming in for dinner.
As with the flowers, which turned out to be innocuous, I gave the casserole a once-over. Melanie had no motive for poisoning her new nanny, and chances were she was simply being kind again. But still. I used a fork to poke at its edge, and when I sniffed, I only got a whiff of mouthwatering temptation. It was, of course, delicious. I gorged myself on it, having hardly eaten in the drama of the day, and found myself pleasantly sleepy by the time night had fallen. The feeling evaporated when I peeked out my bedroom drapes to see the SUV was gone.
In a grip of nerves, I pulled out my phone and texted Bray.
Patrol is gone.???
I chewed my lip and eyed the street end-to-end while I waited for him to respond. He took more than his standard ten seconds, and I began to worry.
The door was locked. Iknewthe door was locked; I’dchecked three times and hadn’t opened it except to greet Melanie. The bat was still by the couch. I’d never played baseball other than in gym class, but I was sure I could do some damage if I had to. But I really hoped I wouldn’t have to.
A familiar car turned the street corner and pulled to a stop in the same place the SUV had been. An involuntary smile teased my mouth at the same time my phone buzzed with a text from Bray.
Shift change. Don’t worry.
My smile widened when I noted the telltale glow of a phone in the driver’s seat.
I’m definitely worried if
it’s you out there, Agent Bray.
I slipped out of sight so he wouldn’t see me spying on him from the curtains.
Hard to get someone to cover
the nightshift on short notice.
You’ll take what I can give you.
Just don’t fall asleep on me.
Keep me awake then.
The thought of keeping Agent Bray awake all night made me clutch the windowsill. I walked to my bathroom to wash my face with cool water and brush my teeth. I texted him again once I was under the covers.
With what, a bedtime story?
Sure. Got any good ones?
None that I’m at liberty to share. Confidential, sorry.
I knew I could trust you with secrets?
