Part 28 (1/2)
Looking forward to more than a high school reunion, I'm looking forward to exposing the truth about that night. I'm just trying to stay alive while I figure out how to do that.
Love and hugs,
Jillian
For the hundredth time since receiving the letter, she refolded it and slid it back into the envelope.
What had Jillian seen that night?
Serena stared at the unopened envelope. Did she have the right to look? There was no doubt in her mind this was what her intruder had been looking for.
She should really put this somewhere safer than her house. Like a safe deposit box. Serena shot a glance at her briefcase, then looked back at the envelope.
Then out the French doors one more time. If she left now, she'd have time to run by the bank before going to the girls' home.
Grabbing her briefcase and everything she needed, she prioritized. She'd go by the bank later. She needed to see if she could find Camille.
Serena exited the house into the closed garage and stilled. The echo of the door closing behind her rang in her ears. Her pulse pounded. Fear clogged her throat.
And she took a deep breath.
Was someone hiding in the s.p.a.cious area?
Inside the boat under the tarp?
In the backseat of her car?
If so, she couldn't have this package on her.
As the blood thrummed through her veins, she whirled and fumbled with her keys, finally getting the lock open, then the door. Then she slammed it shut, twisting the dead bolt as her keys fell to the floor with a clank.
With dread in her stomach, she grabbed her cell phone. Should she call the police?
911?.
Dominic?
The cop sitting outside watching her house?
As she watched out the window, her nerves started to calm. There was no one there. She was being silly.
”There's no one out there,” she whispered aloud. ”Get in the car and go. Camille might need you.”
But the thought of opening the door and walking out of the house terrified her.
And some small part of her realized what was happening. He was gaining control of her life, her thoughts, her actions-and she was allowing it.
Oh Lord, help me. I don't want to let fear rule me.
For another few minutes, she just stood at the door, looking out into the garage. Nothing moved.
”Get in the car, Serena,” she told herself. Putting the package back where she thought it would be safe, she thought about her nerves and the fact that the killer had done everything in his power to keep her off balance and constantly on guard. No doubt, a tactic meant to exhaust her and make her careless.
With determination, she unlocked the kitchen door dead bolt and stepped back into the garage. With jerky movements, she opened the SUV door and shot her gaze to the pa.s.senger seat.
She was almost surprised to find it empty. She slid into the driver's seat and slammed the door, locking it in one quick motion. She pressed the b.u.t.ton on the garage door remote.
As the door behind her rose, her phone rang and she grabbed it from the cup holder. ”h.e.l.lo?”
”Hey, pretty lady. How are you this morning?”
Dominic. She backed from the garage, her heart picking up even more speed. She smiled, although she couldn't help the nervous glance at the covered boat.
”I'm doing great. I actually slept last night.” Should she say anything about her nervousness? About the feeling that someone was in her garage?
Before she closed the garage, she waited at the end of her driveway for one last, long look.
Still, nothing moved.
”You feel like going to a meeting with me?” Dominic asked.
”Nate?” she guessed.
”Yep. I'm meeting him at 11:00. I know this is your day off, but-”
”No, I want to go.” She tapped the steering wheel. ”I need to go see Camille first at the girls' home, but I can meet you there.”
”Okay.” He paused. ”You sound funny. You sure you're all right?”
She breathed a laugh. ”I'm fine. Just my imagination working overtime.”
”Are you sure it's your imagination?”
Serena bit her lip. Was she? ”Probably.”
”You don't sound so sure.”
”Yeah. I know. Never mind. I'm just jumpy.”
”With good reason. Is your shadow with you?”
She glanced in her rearview mirror. ”Yes, he's there.”