Page 35 of Still Afraid

She froze.

The front door was ajar. A crack of light shone from the inside between the door and the jamb.

Chapter Twelve

Chloe backed away, letting the storm door slam. “Josh!” Her voice shook.

She distinctly remembered locking the door when they left this afternoon. It should not be unlocked, let alone open.

Josh rushed back to her side. “What’s wrong?”

She pointed at the door.

“What on earth?” His gaze darted around, but it was after nine, the sun had set, and the dusky light wasn’t enough to see into the shadows.

“Do we call 911?”

His eyes narrowed in consideration. “I’m carrying. I’ll clear it. You and Poirot stay out here. It doesn’t sound like anyone is inside right now.”

She nodded, grateful he’d finally listened to his brother-in-law and started conceal carrying. Chloe removed Poirot’s leash from her purse. “Here, boy.” She clipped it on and led him away from the door. Squatting, she clung to the dog as Josh went inside.

Jesus, please keep Josh safe.

Chloe pulled out her phone and opened it to the keypad, ready to dial if needed. As she waited for what seemed like an eternity, she worked to keep her breathing steady and slow. The minutes stretched, every breath feeling like it was an hour long. Would Josh ever come back out?

No sound came from inside the house. No gunshots. No wrestling. No conversation. Surely that meant no one else was in there. Josh was strong and able-bodied. If someone jumped him, she would, no doubt, hear a struggle. And she’d call 911. Maybe she should at least text Gabe. Hadn’t someone opened her door? Who and how?

Yeah, texting Gabe was a good idea. He wasn’t a detective, but he could help. She typed a quick message telling him her door was open when they arrived home, and Josh was checking it out.

He called her. She answered before it barely made any noise.

“I’m dropping Aliza and kids off right now. Then I’ll be there.”

She breathed a little easier. “Thank you.”

But then Josh appeared, a scowl on his face. “It’s clear. But someone was definitely inside.”

She jumped to her feet. “What?” To Gabe she said, “Did you hear that?”

“Yes. Don’t touch anything. I’ll call Buck and see if he’s on duty.” Buck was her brother’s good friend and a detective.

“Thanks, Gabe.” They hung up.

With a tighter grip than necessary on Poirot’s leash, Chloe followed Josh inside.

The living room was trashed. The couch cushions had been flung across the room, and every last bit of her pack had been dumped all over the place.

“What in tarnation?”

Josh shook his head. “Makes no sense to me. The kitchen is a mess, but not quite as bad.”

She stared at the mess, and despite how much she tried to hold steady, she could feel her body trembling.

Josh tugged her into a hug. “It’ll be okay.”

“First my car and now this. What is going on? I don’t have anything of value.” Her special edition and vintage books flashed through her mind. But they were only of value to certain people, people who wouldn’t tear up her home. Thankfully, they’d moved those this afternoon.

“It looks to me like they were searching for something specific. I can’t imagine what.”