Page 82 of The Clover Chapel (Jamison Valley 2)
now was tracked in past the entryway and up the stairs.
“Fuck me,” Nick muttered. “Are these tracks yours, Milo, or were they here?”
“They aren’t mine.” Milo pulled out his phone. “Before you guys go too far, let me get some pictures.”
“I’m scared,” I told Nick while Milo worked.
“I’ve got you,” he promised, holding me close.
An hour later, I was back in an all-too-familiar position: huddled next to Nick on a couch while Jess informed me of the break-in.
“I’m sorry, Emmeline. Wish we could have caught this guy the first time around. Hate that we’re here again,” Jess said.
“It’s not your fault,” I said.
“Least this time we’ve got some leads,” he said. “Footprints Milo found show him leaving through the trees. Either he didn’t leave any tracks coming to the house or we just haven’t found them yet. We’ll know more in the morning. First light I’ll hike up behind the house.”
“I’m coming with you,” Nick said.
“Okay.” Jess nodded.
“Do you think it’s the same guy from the first break-in?” I asked.
“Most likely. Alarm didn’t scare him away, which tells me he knew it would trip when the door popped. And he wasn’t wasting any time. Tracks up the stairs look like he took them two at a time, coming and going. Like he knew exactly where he was headed.”
“My bedroom is upstairs. Do you think he was coming for me?”
Nick must have been thinking the same thing because the grip he had on my hand became painfully tight.
“I don’t know,” Jess said. “It could be that’s where he suspected jewelry or valuables would be. Could be about you. Either way, don’t plan on staying here by yourself until we know what’s going on.”
“Not to worry. She’s been at my place for weeks. That’s where she’s staying for the foreseeable future,” Nick said.
“Do you think it could be a stalker? Am I in danger?” I asked Jess.
“Can’t be sure,” he said. “Have you noticed anything strange lately? Anyone give you the creeps?”
“No,” I said. “Everything has been normal.”
“Good. I doubt someone’s stalking you. If they were, they would have known you weren’t here tonight. My guess is your intruder saw your vehicle missing and thought they could make a quick score. That said, be diligent. Pay attention to folks around you.”
“Okay.”
“You’re not to come here alone anymore, Emmy,” Nick said. “If you need clothes or something, you wait for me to come with you.”
I nodded.
“I’ve gotta swing back to the farmhouse. Then I’ll be back. You guys staying here or heading back to Nick’s?”
“My place,” Nick said.
“Hike out at seven?” Jess asked him.
“I’ll be here.”
Nick and I went back to his place but sleep was pointless. We both sucked down cup after cup of coffee before he insisted on driving me to work.
It was the worst Monday in history.
