Then there were the fingerprints—on the front door, the back, and all over the porch—that forensics identified as belonging to Phil.
On top of that, they discovered his fingerprints on a hammer found in the backyard, which we presume he planned to use to break in if the lock picks didn’t work.
Coupled with an obvious motive, Phil is sure to be convicted. And with him locked away, there was no reason Angel and Haley couldn’t go home.
Still, I don’t like it.
My house feels too empty without them. Too quiet.
And in the two nights she’s been back here, I haven’t stopped worrying. Not about Phil, but other things.
What if Angel is scared, being back here? What if she can’t sleep because she’s laying awake, listening for that metallic rattle at the back door again? What if she needs to reach something that’s too high for her, and she falls? Hurts herself?
What if Justindecides to complicate things? Just because he wasn’t responsible for the break-in doesn’t mean he’s on the up and up. He could be angry at Angel for indirectly making him a suspect. He could get it into his head that he wants retribution.
Chances are, I’m creating problems where there aren’t any. But I’m still going to make sure I’m on top of things, like triple checking Angel’s security system and giving her and Haley necklaces with tracking devices inside them, just to be safe.
Oh, and opening the door for them. Always. Even though I know damn well Alec wouldn’t have let Hazel get out of the car on her own without thoroughly surveilling their surroundings first.
“Oh,” Angel says. Then she puts her arm around Haley and moves them both to the side. “Well, far be it from me to stop you from being gentlemanly.”
“The boys at school don’t open the doors for girls,” Haley adds. “They just let the doors close in our faces.”
“Maybe they haven’t learned about that yet,” I tell her as I open the door. Stepping onto the porch, I quickly scan the front yard. Aside from Hazel coming up from the front steps, everything is quiet. Peaceful.
As soon as Hazel sees me, a wide smile stretches across her face. Then she hurries up the steps and gives me a hug. “Ronan. Why am I not surprised to see you standing out here?”
“Just being gentlemanly. Opening the door and all.” Glancing over at Alec in the driver’s seat, I add, “I’m surprised Alec didn’t insist on coming to the door himself.”
Hazel flicks a look back at him. “Oh, he wanted to. But we’re working on him trying to be a little less protective.” She laughs. “It’s slow going. But he’s trying.”
Haley squeezes through the doorway and hops onto the porch with a thunk. “Hazel! You’re here!”
Hazel smiles at her. “I am. Are you ready for our special girls’ night?” Then she glances over Haley’s head to give me a knowing smile. Girls’ night isn’t just for Haley. It’s so Angel and I can have some adult time together.
“I’m ready.” Haley bounces on her feet. “This is going to be so fun.” She takes a step away from the door, then freezes and turns back around. “Wait.”
She darts back into the house, her braid trailing behind her. Several seconds later, she’s back. “I had to give Murphy a hug,” she explains. “I didn’t want him to think I forgot about him.”
Then she gives Angel a hug. “Thanks for letting me do girls’ night, Mom.”
Angel hugs her back. “Of course, Hale. Have fun.”
As soon as Haley steps back from Angel, she turns to me and wraps her arms around my waist. “You’ll take care of Mom, right? She hasn’t been sleeping well since we got home. I think she’s worried about the basement flooding again.”
I pat Haley’s back. “I will, Speedy.”
She tilts her head back to look at me. “And tomorrow night, will you come over so we can play another game? And watch theChristmas Vacationmovie? Mom says since I’m almost ten, I can watch it now.”
Stealing a quick glance at Angel, I widen my eyes in silent question. If it were up to me, the answer would be yes. But I don’t want to assume. Angel might not want me here every night.
Angel smiles and nods. Taking that to mean it’s okay, I tell Haley, “I’d love to. That’s my very favorite Christmas movie.”
“Great!” Haley releases me and bounds down the porch steps. “Come on, Hazel. I’m ready.”
“Thanks, Haze,” Angel says more quietly. “Call if there’s anything…”
“I will.” Hazel turns to follow Haley. Over her shoulder, she adds, “And you two. Have fun.”
