Page 69 of Property of Yak

Liz and Ray have never gotten along. Dad says they are like oil and water, but I think it’s deeper than that. I’ve seen Liz not get along with people in the past, but this is different. Something about him sets her on edge, and she can’t explain it.

“Tell me, Julie, who else is here?” he demands as he starts to look around the house.

“No one. It’s just us, and I don’t appreciate you barging in like you own the place. I’d appreciate it if you stopped searching the place like you have a warrant,” I tell him coolly.

He runs his hand through his hair as he turns toward me. “Look, I’m sorry. I was just worried. It took you a long time to answer,” he says.

I shake my head. “It took me less than a minute. You were just being impatient.”

“Now explain why you’re here and why you pushed your way inside,” Liz snaps.

“I’ve seen a strange truck here recently, and I thought it was time I asked you about it,” he confesses.

My heart sinks to my stomach but before I can come up with a reply, Liz steps in.

Liz scoffs. “Seriously? You thought you could push your way in here and demand answers on something that is legitimately not your business? Who Julie has over and who she spends time with is not up for question from you or the PD.”

His jaw clenches. “I’ll tell your dad that you have a man hanging around.”

“Do it, and then he can reprimand you for the gross overstep. You know what, if you don’t, I will because this has gone too far,” Liz says.

“You should leave,” I tell him quietly.

“This isn’t over,” he says as he walks to the door.

“You’re right, it’s not, and trust and believe Dad is going to hear about it,” Liz yells as he shuts the door behind him.

I walk over and flip the lock so he can’t let himself back in.

“What was that?” I ask, shaking my head.

“I told you I didn’t like that guy. I’m going to call Dad and tell him about that. It was wrong on so many levels,” she rants.

“Liz, don’t.”

She pauses, her finger hovering over the dial button. “What do you mean don’t? Dad needs to know about this.”

“He will, just not right now. I’m not ready to explain Yak to him. I just need a little more time,” I confess.

Her shoulders drop as she sighs. “I don’t like this.”

I don’t either, but I don’t tell her that.

“Trust me. I’ll take care of it,” I tell her.

What I don’t say out loud is the one who will handle it will be Yak.

I eye the camera in the corner of my living room.

In fact, I bet he’s already on it.

Yak

Parking the truck, I wait for a couple of cars to pass by. Once they pass, I get out and look around. When I see the coast is clear, I slip into the woods. After walking for a few minutes, I pull out the burner phone I just bought and call the only number saved.

“Yeah?” the man on the other end answers.

“Hey, is this Swift?”