by Palmer Jones
“You don’t think I’m crazy? We’ve only really known each other the past couple weeks. It sounds insane that I’m considering it.”
“I knew I wanted to marry your mother on our second date. A lot of people will say you’re crazy. That it won’t work. And it might not.” He pointed at himself. “The few people in this world who’ve met their soul-mate and remember that feeling of falling hard and fast will be your strongest supporters.”
“Then,” Cameron began, taking a deep breath. “Then, if she lets me, consider this my two-week notice.”
Addie sat up straight from a dead sleep at the rapid session of high-pitched barks. Lacy tore out of the room, her toenails tapping down the hallway. Is that how she greeted Cameron usually? Lacy barked again.
That wasn’t a happy bark.
She ran a hand over her hair, pausing when Lacy’s barking switched to a deep growl and a snarl. She rubbed her face, wishing she’d wake-up quicker from the fog of deep sleep. The clock showed it wasn’t seven yet.
“Cameron?” She called out. The barking became muffled like Lacy had ended up outside.
A door closed.
Addie started to crawl from the bed, but she froze when the hallway light flicked on. “Cameron?”
Her stomach dropped. Her instincts told her that it wasn’t him. He would’ve answered her.
Heavy, slow footsteps advanced closer to the bedroom.
Trapped. She searched the room. No way out. She climbed from the bed as Dexter appeared in the doorway.
A shriek squeaked out before her breath froze in her chest. He was here. In the house.
She swallowed over the dry lump in her throat. Screaming was useless. She was in the middle of the woods. The closest neighbors were the Dempseys and Nash. Both lived over two miles away.
He smiled, slow and eerie, like the killer from a bad movie. That didn’t help the situation.
Her skin crawled.
It clicked. It had been him in the video like she suspected. He was here to rob the place.
“This is a pleasant surprise” Dexter’s deadpan voice didn’t help with the creepy, thriller-film image.
Taking a deep breath, she let the numbness wash over her. It was an out of body experience, facing down her worst fear of being found by criminals. Of all things, it wasn’t her criminal but Cameron’s that had shown up.
She’d fight.
Her blood thumped in her temples. Focus. Figure it out.
“I’m sorry I can’t say the same for you, Dexter.” Make it personal. Keep him talking. Someone might spot Lacy and tell Cameron. He’d know something was wrong. Long-shot, but it was all she had to go on.
And get out of the house. Cameron had joked about her only defense being her running ability, but there was no way Dexter could catch her if she got out. Not in those boots or with her speed, even barefoot. With her adrenaline pumping, she’d try to outrun a lion at this point.
“I wasn’t sure that you and the cop were actually dating or if you used that as an excuse to avoid eating with me.”
She motioned around the room, hoping it looked casual. “As you can see, here I am.”
“He came nosing around my grandmother’s place last night. I didn’t appreciate having to lie to her about my late-night activities.” He moved to Cameron’s dresser, picking up a watch before slipping it into his pocket. If he only wanted to steal small items, it was possible that he would leave her unharmed. The idea gave her a shred of hope.
He stepped to the desk. Her laptop sat open, although the screen had gone blank. One small swipe of his finger and the screen lit up, showing a mirror image of Sunflower’s desktop.
Dammit.
She hadn’t even set it up with a password yet. She’d been so caught up in finally getting Sunflower, she hadn’t even considered it.
“What in the world does the cop do on the side?” He started clicking through screens. This wouldn’t work.
Addie stood. The movement made him swing around, thankfully before he saw anything significant on the computer. “I’ll just be going now—”
“No.” He reached under the jacket and produced a kitchen knife. She recognized it as the same knife she’d seen in the sink. Great, a dirty knife. Cameron really needed to improve his housekeeping skills.
She took another deep breath, refusing to let the panic control her thoughts. “Dexter,” she began, holding up her hands. “You don’t need me here.” She moved in small degrees to get an angle on Cameron’s bedroom door. If she got close enough to sprint past him, she could get out if reasoning didn’t work. “You want the valuables. That’s it, right?”
“That’s all I wanted before you messed it up. What am I going to do with you? You’ll probably go tell your boyfriend, and he’ll arrest me.”
She shrugged, playing it cool. “Probably. Or you can leave town. They may never find you if you’re clever enough.” She smiled slightly. “If you were smart enough to keep them guessing this long, I’d guess you’re good enough to run and hide.”
He balanced the knife in his hand, staring at it with a cold detachment. Hopefully, he wasn’t weighing his odds on using that thing. He didn’t seem like a guy that had any type of ninja knife skills, but she didn’t want to be around to find out. Her cell phone rang.
They both jumped and stared at it.
The screen showed a number without a name attached. It was a life-line to someone, but no way she’d be able to answer it.
It stopped and went to voice mail.
She let out the breath she’d held. Even Dexter’s shoulders relaxed.
Until it rang again.
Then ended.
And starting up a third time. It had to be Cameron. No way anyone else would be that persistent in trying to reach her this early in the morning. Maybe Trevor? What if something happened to him? She shook herself mentally. She had a second-rate lunatic in front of her with a grubby steak knife contemplating her murder, she didn’t need to play “what if” games to occupy her mind at this point.
Cameron’s house phone started ringing. It was him.
The cordless phone’s electronic tone on the console rang out while the wall mounted phone shrilled from the kitchen and reminded her of the phone at her house when she was younger. Eight rings later it stopped.
Addie motioned between them. “This isn’t worth it, Dexter. A computer and a watch aren’t worth it.”
“I don’t want to go to jail. I can’t leave my grandmother.”
“How about I promise not to tell Cameron? They can’t link you to the other crimes. If you leave everything you’ve stolen, you can only be charged for trespassing. That’s not as serious.”
His eyes narrowed into beady little slits in his pale face. “Why would you help me?”
“Because I don’t want to die,” was on the tip of her tongue, but she opted for a sweet, soft smile. “I think people in stressful situations do things they don’t mean to do. Did you come here to hurt me?”
He looked a little uncertain of himself and glanced back at the knife. “No. But now that you’re here…”
She slid to the right, still hoping to aim for the door as her escape. It was close now. About ten yards. If she got him to turn away, she could make it.
Now, getting out the front door without him right behind her was a problem. Her mind raced. She could run to the bathroom. It was a little farther away, but there was a window. Lock the door and climb out?
It was a plan. Better than being a sitting duck for Dexter to make up his mind.
Lacy’s faint barks started again. Instead of coming closer they sounded as though they were getting further away. No way she was like Lassie and about to bring someone to her rescue.
Dexter straightened.
Addie did as well, shifting another step.
Lacy’s barking intensified again.
Dexter walked to the window and looked out.
Addie ran.
22
Cameron hadn’
t slept since he’d been with Addie the night before. His eyes felt gritty, and his stomach growled at the lack of food. He’d spent the past sixteen hours alternating between searching for jobs in California and going back over the evidence again for the break-ins. Traffic court started in a few hours, and he had yet to prep.
Instead of doing his job, he’d filled out two applications within an hour’s drive to the Los Angeles area. He could follow Addie across the country, but he didn’t have any desire to police such a large city. Two smaller communities had looked similar to Statem. Not nearly as small, but small enough that Cameron didn’t think he’d end up miserable at his job.
She still might not take him back. God, he wanted to rush over there and find out but he had to get through the day first.
Ms. Ruby stepped into the Sheriff’s department, a bag in her hand. She hadn’t fixed her hair, and it stuck out in white puffs all over her head. She wore a long, blue gown, something similar to what his grandmother used to wear in the morning. With her lips devoid of their usual bright pink, she looked much older.
“I’m so upset, Cameron.” Ms. Ruby stopped part way to his desk. Her voice trembled. “I don’t know what to do.”
He jumped up, placing a steady hand under her elbow and leading her to a chair. “What’s happened? Do I need to get the paramedics? Your neighbor Caleb is working.”
She waved away his concern, the puff on top wobbling. “No. It’s about my grandson, Dexter. He wasn’t in his room when I went to collect his laundry. Normally, I don’t go in his room.” She patted Cameron’s hand. “I know how you young men need your privacy.”
Cameron managed not to laugh at the thought.
“But, when he didn’t answer, I went in. I’m not sure where he is, but I started collecting his laundry, and I found all these things in his room. I recognized Laura’s pink leather jacket. She’d worn it to church a couple Sundays ago. And your uncle’s phone.” She reached in and pulled out the oldest, largest, black phone Cameron had ever seen. “Hugh Campbell is the only person in Statem and probably Georgia who owns a phone this old. I’m near eighty, and I know that.”
“I think you’re right.” Cameron felt the first rush of nerves at the prospect that the case was solved. By Ms. Ruth, no less. And Addie. “You said you didn’t know where Dexter was now?” Cameron grabbed his radio. “Dewey?”
He glanced at the clock. Not even seven yet. Dewey’s shift hadn’t started.
“No, I don’t. I will say that you upset him last night. He used some language that I had to fuss at him about. Wasn’t becoming for a nice, young man to use. I know he didn’t mean the things he said. It makes sense now that he was angry with you for figuring it out.”
Cameron pulled out his phone and called Addie.
When she didn’t answer, he tried again.
And again. Each ring intensified his fear. Had Dexter gone out there searching for him?
He called the house phone. Still no answer.
He called his parents’ house phone. His mom picked up.
“Hello?”
“Mom. Is Addie there?”
“No. She stayed out at your place—”
“Shit.” He hung up. Running from the station, he jumped in his cruiser and set the siren to silent.
He pressed Dewey’s name on his cell phone. He picked up almost immediately.
“I see you headed this way with your lights going. What’s up?”
“Ruth’s grandson is the thief.”
“The one in the jacket?” Dewey waved as he passed by. “You headed to bring him in?”
“I’m headed to my house to make sure he’s not there. Ruth said he was mad about me questioning him last night.” Cameron made a sharp turn at the edge of town and accelerated.
“Are you worried about Lacy?”
“Addie. She stayed there last night and isn’t answering.”
After a moment’s pause, a faint siren sounded through the cell phone.
“Turn your siren off.”
“Done. I’m going to pull around to the back of the property down the highway. I’ll call your dad.”
Cameron’s car slid to a stop at the top of the driveway. He didn’t want to scare Dexter. Or Addie by rushing in. Was her cell phone on silent? No, she didn’t answer the house phone either. She could’ve been in the shower, but she’d taken her phone into the bathroom with her last time she showered.
It was fine. He was overreacting. Simple.
He climbed out, checked his firearm, and headed down the quarter-mile long driveway. The crunch of the dirt and gravel under his boots matched his breath. Lacy’s barking put a smile on his face.
She’d been outside with Lacy. He hadn’t thought of that.
Lacy came running up to him, barking and jumping like mad before racing off down the driveway.
He edged into the clearing around his house. If Dexter was inside, being the scum’s target practice wasn’t at the top of his list. The house looked quiet, his blue truck sitting where it always did. His cell phone buzzed.
“Yeah?”
Dewey’s footsteps sounded in the background. “Got trouble. Car’s parked on the backside of your property.”
His world tilted.
He’d all but demanded she stayed at his house to be safe. He closed his eyes a brief moment, shifting away from the thoughts of what he might find inside.
A loud thump sounded on the far side of the house. He drew his weapon, crouching down behind a tree, Lacy sitting right beside him.
Addie sailed out of his bathroom window, her legs already in motion before her feet hit. She took two steps. Lacy barked, catching her attention.
Cameron’s body tensed. “Run!” He yelled.
A split second later, she ran barefoot and fast as hell into the woods in the direction of his parent’s house.
“Go, Lacy.” Cameron motioned in the direction where Addie disappeared. Lacy took off after her.
The pain in his stomach released from the terrible fear that’d coiled inside. Finally, the woman had listened to him. And the dog.
He was the one that was supposed to face dangerous situations, not Addie. If she so much as had a scratch from this, he’d spend the rest of his life making it up to her.
A crash from inside the house grabbed his attention. Dexter had to be in there.
He readjusted his grip on the gun, palms a little damp. He’d never shot someone. Didn’t plan on doing it today. But between the two of them, Cameron had no intention of being the victim.
Dewey motioned to him from the far edge of the yard.
“Come out, Dexter,” Cameron called, his shoulder pressed tight against the tree.
The silence stretched out for a couple of minutes.
“Dexter, your grandmother turned you in.” Poor Ms. Ruth, but he wanted to end things peacefully. For her sake as much as for his own. “Come out!”
The front door opened. Dexter didn’t walk out, but he could identify his shadow by the long jacket.
“Dexter, come out now.”
“And if I refuse?”
Footsteps rushed from behind him. “Cam?” His dad’s voice called.
“He’s refusing to come out.”
“Do you have any unsecured weapons in there?”
“No. Gun safe is locked up tight.”
Two state patrol cars rolled down the driveway. His dad’s hand landed on his shoulder. “You’ve been up all night. We’ve got this.”
He tried to shrug him off. “He came here because of me. I put her in the same danger I was trying to keep her away from.” Cameron’s jaw ached from clenching his teeth, scared of his dad’s answer. “Is she alright? Did you talk to Mom? She headed in that direction. She’s barefoot, but it still won’t take her more than twelve to thirteen minutes at her pace—”
“You need to go see her. I know you can manage, son, but let us finish this.” He tugged Cameron backward. “We don’t need any mistakes.”
Cameron snappe
d back. “I don’t need to be babied! I can handle my job.”
His dad stepped close to him, lowering his voice to an intensity Cameron hadn’t heard before. “I wouldn’t have to be told twice to go see about your mother.” Cameron looked up at him. “This is under control. Go. See. Addie. I’ll call you if we need you.”
With one last glance back at Dexter’s dark shadow, now shouting back and forth with the state patrol, he jogged back to his car. The drive to his house took longer than ever before. Was she okay? Had Dexter hurt her? He slammed his hand on the wheel. Or assaulted her?
She sat on the front porch, a bottle of water in her hand, a blanket over her shoulders, and Tanya Dempsey standing like a guard over her, a pistol in her hand. His nonviolent mother would use it, too.
As soon as he stepped out of the car, Addie rocketed off the porch and into his arms.
Neither one of them spoke. They held one another. If she let him, he wouldn’t let go for a very long time. They had a lot more to learn about each other, but he knew enough to know he wanted to try. He knew he loved her.
“Are you okay?” Her voice cracked, and her grip tightened.
“Yes,” he whispered. “Are you?” He ran a hand down her back.
She pulled away. Her eyes were dry, but the fear and worry still there. “Yes. I got away.”
“You did great.” He smoothed her hair back away from her face. “Did he have a gun?”
She shook her head. “He took one of your dirty knives from the sink.”
Cameron clicked on his radio. “Suspect has a knife.” He cupped her cheeks. “You promise he didn’t hurt you.”
“I promise. He was mad at you and decided to break into your house to show you up. I was still sleeping.” Her lips twisted to the side. “Glad I was wearing more than I did the night before.” She looked down at her feet. “Although, I’ll probably sleep in sneakers from now on.”
He kissed her, forming the words in his mind he needed to say before leaning away again. He wanted to tell her about his plans. Tell her how much he loved her. “We need to discuss what happens after tomorrow. I—”
“I’ve thought about that. But, it can wait. I want to be with you the rest of today and tomorrow.”
