“I—I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you,” Harper stammered, relief settling on her shoulders like a blanket. She gave him a sideways hug.
“Harp?” Tariq asked. “What’s going on? Dare I ask why you’re out here in your jammies?”
“It’s sort of a long story,” she murmured.
“I’m in no hurry,” said Tariq.
The next-door neighbor, on his way to work, called to her: “Hey, Harper, everything okay last night? I heard a car alarm, but when I looked out, I didn’t see anything.”
“Yes, I’m so sorry about that,” said Harper, clutching her robe tightly. “False alarm. I hope you were able to go back to sleep.”
“No problem. Have a good day.” He waved and got into his car.
“I should get dressed,” said Harper. “Would you come upstairs with me to check out my apartment? Just in case?”
“Of course,” Tariq said, starting down the driveway toward her apartment.
“Maybe we should get Ellen’s gun…”
“Agun? What the hell happened last night?”
“Let’s go inside, and I’ll fill you in.”
“Someone set off your car alarm?” Tariq asked over his shoulder as he led the way up the stairs. Their feet sounded loud on the treads and reminded her of the icy fear she had felt last night.
“I did it myself. I wanted to make some noise. I thought—I thought there was someone at my door, and then on the lawn.”
“Someone like who?”
“That’s the question. I may have been dreaming, or sleepwalking.”Or I may be haunted.
“Ready?” Tariq asked as they stood on the landing. He reached out, turned the knob, and opened the door.
Inside was quiet, and everything looked to be as she had left it. Sunlight streamed in through the gingham curtains. A faceted crystal cast tiny rainbows on the wood floor. Her laptop rested on the dining room table she used as a desk, and her research books and papers were organized in neat piles.
“Doesn’t look like anyone’s been here,” said Harper.
“Hardly even you. You’re a neatnik, I take it. The only thing messed up is your bed.”
Harper pushed her computer and notes aside to make way for the pastry box and coffee cups. Suddenly famished, she took a huge bite of an apple fritter, then gave Tariq an abbreviated version of last night’s events.
“Sounds like you were dreaming,” Tariq said, concern etched on his face.
She started to deny it but, in the clear light of day, had to admit last night’s events had a dreamlike quality. “I could have sworn I was awake. And I was aware enough to go get Ellen’s gun, and to remember the combination to the safe.”
“And to set off your car alarm. That was clever, by the way,” said Tariq.
“I was hoping it might scare off an intruder.”
He nodded and studied her face. “I have an idea. Why don’t you come over to my place for dinner tonight? We both know you don’t eat right. Apple fritters notwithstanding.”
“I beg to differ. I have discovered the wonders of the taco truck.”
“My point precisely.”
“Isn’t it karaoke night at the Pearl?”
“It is. Come over to my place, I’ll cook for you, and we’ll go to karaoke together.”
