Stranger in the Shadows. Shirlee McCoy

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СКАЧАТЬ don’t think I said it wasn’t.” He sipped his coffee, exchanging a glance with Ben, one that excluded Chloe and conveyed a message she couldn’t even begin to figure out.

      “No, you didn’t, but I’ve been told it enough times to imagine that’s what you’re thinking.”

      “What I’m thinking is that I don’t know what happened in D.C. Whatever it was, it’s not going to happen here.” He placed his coffee cup on the counter. “I’d better head out. If you think of anything else that might be helpful, give me a call.”

      “I will.” Chloe followed him to the door, holding it open as he stepped out and started down the stairs.

      Ben held back, the concern in his eyes obvious. “Will you be okay here alone?”

      “I’ve been living alone since I was eighteen.”

      “That doesn’t mean you’ll be okay.”

      “Of course I’ll be okay. What other choice do I have?” She tried to smile, but knew she failed miserably.

      “You could stay with Opal.”

      And bring whatever danger was following her into her friend’s life? Chloe didn’t think so. “No, I really will be fine.”

      Ben watched her for a moment, his gaze so intense Chloe fidgeted. Then he nodded. “All right. Keep the doors locked and be safe.”

      He stepped out into the hall and pulled the door shut behind him, leaving Chloe in the silent apartment.

      Be safe?

      She didn’t even know what the word meant anymore. She sighed, grabbed a cookie from the package and collapsed onto the easy chair. Maybe she’d figure it out again. Maybe. Somehow she doubted that would be the case.

      SIX

      “Sounds like your friend has a big problem.” Jake’s comment echoed what Ben had been thinking since he’d walked out of Chloe’s apartment.

      “Really big.”

      “Unless the police in D.C. are right and the stalker is all in her head.”

      “She seems pretty sure about what’s been going on.”

      “Being sure of something only means we’ve convinced ourselves that it’s true. I don’t put much stock in it.” Despite the gruff words, Jake sounded pensive and Ben knew he was leaning toward Chloe’s version of things.

      “You seemed to believe someone was at her apartment.”

      “I do. I’m just not convinced it has anything to do with what happened in D.C. It could just as easily have been a kid, or someone out to steal a few bucks.”

      “It could have been.”

      “But you don’t think so?”

      “I think there’s more to the story than Chloe is telling. I think that until we have all the information, it’ll be hard to know exactly what’s going on.”

      “Agreed. I’m going call some friends that are still on the D.C. police force and see what they have to say.” He paused as he pulled into the driveway of his house. “Regardless of what they say, I’m treating this like any other investigation until I can prove it’s not one.”

      “I didn’t expect anything less.”

      “And I didn’t expect to be as curious about you and Chloe as I am.” Jake grinned, pushed open his door. “So, are you going to tell me what’s going on between you two, or am I going to have to speculate?”

      “I met her at the wedding today.”

      “And?”

      “And I would have introduced the two of you if you’d been there.”

      “I’m almost sorry I missed it.”

      “Almost?”

      “Tiffany isn’t ready to take the baby out or leave him with a sitter yet. I’m not ready to spend my Saturday away from her.”

      “Who’d have thought marriage would make you into such a romantic?” Ben grinned and got out of the car. “I’d better head home. I’ve got to work tomorrow.”

      “Good avoidance technique, but I still want to know about you and Chloe.”

      “You’ve been living small-town life for too long. You’re getting nosy.”

      “Only when it comes to my friends.”

      “Sorry to disappoint, but you know as much about Chloe as I do.”

      “I’m not interested in what you know about her. I’m wondering what you think of her.”

      “Right now? I think she’s a nice lady who’s been hurt a lot.”

      “Look, Ben, if you were anyone else, I’d keep my nose out of it, but you’re not, so I’m going to say what’s on my mind.”

      “Go ahead.”

      “Chloe does seem like a nice lady, but I know trouble when I see it. I see it when I look at her.”

      “And?”

      “And be careful. I don’t want that trouble coming after you.”

      “Thanks for the worry, but I’m pretty good at taking care of myself. I’ll be fine.”

      Jake nodded, but his jaw was tight, his expression grim. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Really bad. Watch your back.”

      With that he walked away, stepping into his well-lit house, into the warmth of family and home, and leaving Ben to himself and his thoughts.

      Thoughts that were similar to Jake’s.

      Trouble did seem to be closing in on Chloe. If Ben were smart, he’d keep his distance from it and from her. Unfortunately, he didn’t think that was going to be possible. Something told him that Chloe was about to become a big part of his life. He might not want the complication, might not like it, but that seemed to be where God was leading him. If that were the case, Ben would just have to hold on tight and pray the ride wasn’t nearly as bumpy as he thought it was going to be.

      Apparently, Chloe’s intruder was big news in Lakeview, and at least half a dozen customers converged on the flower shop minutes after it opened Monday morning. Opal seemed happy about all the business, but by noon Chloe was tired of the sometimes blatant, sometimes subtle questions. How many times and how many ways could a person say “I don’t know” before she went absolutely insane?

      Not many more than Chloe had already said.

      She pulled a dozen red carnations from the refrigerated display case, grabbed some filler and headed back to the shop’s СКАЧАТЬ