“There’s a guy across the street. He’s staring at the house … and me.” She said the last two words in a low voice.
Nicole pushed up from the couch. “Lemme see.”
“No!” Ashley clutched the base of her throat.
Her friend’s eyes widened. “Relax. It’s probably someone out for a walk or something.”
“He looks like the guy who was in the parking lot my first day on the job.”
“What guy? Do you know him?” Nicole peeked through the drapes. “I can’t tell what he looks like.”
“I’m going by his height and the clothes he’s wearing. I’m sure it’s the same guy.” A sick feeling twisted in the pit of her stomach.
“It looks like he’s checking his phone. I don’t think he’s looking at the house.”
“I know he’s here for me,” Ashley whispered. She pulled out her cell and scrolled through her contacts until she found Smokey’s number. Hesitating, she stared down at his name, and swiped out of the screen instead of making the call. Moving next to Nicole, she pulled the curtain and looked out again. The man glanced up from his phone and looked back at her. Shivers raced down her spine.
Then, the man began to walk toward her house.
She drew back. “I’m calling the police.”
“What for? I really think this guy’s harmless.”
“I don’t.” Ashley plugged in the number.
“Wait. He walked away,” Nicole said.
She brought the phone to her ear. “It won’t hurt to have a squad car drive around to make sure.”
“Ash”—Nicole’s hand rested on Ashley’s shoulder— “I think you’re overreacting. The guy’s gone, and he wasn’t Jeffrey.”
“May I help you?” a woman answered.
She knew her friend was right, and suddenly, her conviction drained away.
“Sorry, wrong number,” she mumbled before hanging up.
Reclaiming her spot on the couch, Nicole said, “I know Jeffrey being free has really freaked you out. Do you want to talk about it?”
“No. Everything’s fine. I guess I’m just tired.”
“And maybe you had one too many like me. I mean, Jared sure made those drinks strong. And I wouldn’t mind seeing him again when I come back this way in a couple of days. I’ll only be able to hang for a few hours before heading back to Denver, though.”
“Yeah. I’ll ask Whitney about his schedule. It’s too bad you have to go back to work on Thursday.”
“I know, but I’ll be back when I can spend more time with you. Listen, why don’t we hang out here and watch a movie?”
“That’ll be good,” Ashley replied, but her mind was on the man who’d been watching the house. In spite of herself, the paranoia was still there, buzzing in her mind like a swarm of flies.
She sank down on the cushion of the sofa and propped her feet up on the coffee table. The images on the television screen flashed by, but all Ashley could see was the man in the dark clothes in the parkway staring at her.
11
Smokey watchedhis brother scarf down a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon.
“Fuck, dude. When’s the last time you ate?”
“Yesterday morning,” Ryan said between mouthfuls. “We didn’t have shit in the house.”