The One Who Watches

by Emerald O'Brien

  What would the people in my life think of me right now?

  After leaving the morgue, following behind Raven, she had stopped off at the hardware store and purchased a mechanism that jammed a door closed. She returned to her old spot at the dead end and ate a banana she had the foresight to bring with her that morning.

  I didn’t bring enough food. I should have brought chips, but they’d be too loud...

  A pair of headlights shone bright across the street and straight down the road to the bushes. Madigan stepped back, crouching low as she peered through the leaves.

  Everyone on this street’s home already. Haven’t seen this vehicle before.

  She grabbed her notebook from her bag, and as the car engine turned off, she squinted at the licence plate and wrote it down. The old, dark car parked in front of Raven’s neighbour’s home, and the tinted windows prevented her from seeing inside.

  Tinted windows. The boy across the street would have mentioned that, wouldn’t he?

  No movement came from the car, and she took a few pictures without the flash, wishing there were a streetlight closer to Raven’s home. Without taking her eyes off the car, she ambled ahead, around the bushes and trees, closer to the road.

  Should I call Raven? Warn her?

  A curtain in her front window moved, and Raven lifted it, peering outside. She dropped it at once.

  Madigan dug her cell phone out of her bag as a smooth click ahead followed by footsteps caused it to fumble out of her hand, back into the purse as she leaned forward. A tall man with dark hair walked along the side of his car to the trunk.

  Raven’s door opened, a warm glow flooding the front porch.

  No, Raven. Stay inside.

  Raven stepped outside, clutching the sides of her cardigan at the middle of her chest, and the man watched her before opening the trunk of his car.

  What’s he doing? Raven, get back inside.

  Raven rushed back into the house, slamming the door behind her as the man bent over into the trunk.

  Madigan grabbed her phone again and stepped out from behind the bushes, onto the pavement as a hand reached up and grabbed the open trunk.

  She grabbed her bag with the heavy metal door stopper inside, ready to hit the man and run to Raven’s house as he closed the trunk.

  “Madigan!” Raven called from her front door, and Madigan turned around as she stepped out, distracting her.

  “Stay back!” Madigan called to her, swinging the weight of the bag back.

  A man holding a large pizza box stopped onto the sidewalk in front of her, frowning.

  “Madigan, it’s the delivery man!” Raven called, jogging to join her on the sidewalk with a bill in hand. “I’m sorry, I forgot the money inside.”

  The man held the pizza box out, and Madigan took it as Raven paid him. “Keep the change.”

  As the man got back into the car, Madigan leaned in toward her. “Why didn’t you tell me someone was coming?”

  “Sorry.” Raven’s cringe turned into a light laugh as she took the pizza box. “I’ll give you a heads up next time. Come on.”

  She jogged to her porch and climbed the steps, turning over her shoulder at the top.

  “I need to stay out here,” Madigan hissed.

  Not that it matters now. If someone was watching, my cover’s been blown.

  Raven shook her head. “You need to eat.”

  The smell of pizza lingered on her hands from holding the box, and she followed Raven into her home, locking the door behind her. She pulled the door stopper out of her bag, and Raven watched as she slid it between the door and attached it to the handle.

  “There.”

  “What does it do?”

  “It makes it so no one can get in. Stops the door from opening while it’s in there. If you like it, I’ll get you another one for your back door.”

  “Huh, that’s neat. Tell me how it works over some pizza, and maybe I’ll get it for myself.”

  Madigan followed her into the kitchen where she dished out a few slices onto each of their plates.

  “It was a long day,” Raven said. “I didn’t feel like cooking. I don’t feel like doing much of anything lately. If I could stay home from work, I probably would, but like I told you, I feel safer there… well, felt safer. Since you’ve been watching out for me, I’ve felt a lot better.”

  She handed Madigan a plate and took her own into the living room as Madigan followed. A large, red and gold floral mural hung on the wall, and the room glowed by the lights of more than ten candles sitting on side tables and bookshelves. Raven set her plate on the living room table and went to the mini bar, grabbing a bottle of wine and two glasses.

  “You have a beautiful place,” Madigan said, taking a seat on the floral patterned couch. “Smells great, too.”

  “Thanks.” Raven poured them each a glass and handed it to her.

  “Oh, I shouldn’t be drinking on the job.”

  Raven smiled. “One glass won’t hurt.”

  They each took a sip before Raven settled in on her red wingback chair and folded a piece of pizza in half before taking a big bite.

  Nothing dainty about her, and I like it.

  “So, I was thinking,” Madigan said after finishing her first mouthful. “If you’re too busy to call about the security system, I can.”

  “I’ve already looked into it, and I’m calling someone tomorrow for their earliest appointment.”

  “Great. I was also thinking: is there anywhere else you go frequently besides your home and work?”

  “On the weekends, I go grocery shopping. I like to go antiquing, too, but that’s only once a month. I visit my parents, too.”

  “Was there anything you might have told Paul you like or places you like to go when you were talking with him?”

  “The first night we met at the alumni event, I was talking mostly about my job. I’m sure I talked about a few things I like, but I don’t remember. He just let me talk, and he seemed so interested in everything I was saying.”

  “That must have been nice.”

  “It was. It’s funny; when I met up with my old University friends at the beginning of the event, I found out they are all married. Most have kids too. They were talking about setting me up with whom they referred to as that one single friend of mine, implying there weren’t many single people they knew left.” She rolled her eyes. “They were trying to be nice, asking what I was looking for in a partner, but it put me in a weird mood. Thinking back, maybe that’s why I decided to give Paul a chance. I don’t think I’m desperate… but I guess most desperate people don’t want to admit that.”

  “I don’t think you’re desperate.”

  “I’m career-focused. I’m happy with my life. I’d like to date, sure, but you’re right. I’m not desperate. It was just a weird night that led to a weird date that’s led to a weird week.” Raven sighed and set her pizza crust on her plate. “I hate living like this.”

  “Well, that’s why I say a security system will help, and if you can remember anything else you told him—”

  “I tried to work up the nerve to call him today, but I couldn’t.” She rubbed her forehead and looked up at Madigan with a pained expression. “I know it’s stupid, but what if I accuse him of doing this, and he hasn’t been?” Raven grabbed her phone. “I’m going to text him. I don’t want to talk. I need him to get the message that this isn’t okay. What should I say?”

  “Well, maybe you could ask if he’s been leaving you things? If you ask without accusation, he’ll be more likely to own up to it—if it’s him.”

  Raven cocked her head to the side. “Who else do you think it could be?”

  “I’m not sure. I’m just saying, it would be good to get confirmation that it’s him. If he owns up to it, if he wants to let you know it’s him, then we have something to work off. Then, you can tell him to stop.”

  Raven typed as Madigan finished her first slice and went on to the second.

  “Ok
ay,” Raven said, reading off the screen. “Paul, have you been leaving me gifts? The dried rose and bear?”

  “Good. That’s neutral.”

  “Okay, sent.” She stared at her screen and shook her head.

  “What?”

  “I’m comparing this message to the last message I sent him. I said, ‘I’m sorry, Paul, but I need to let you know that I’m not interested in getting together again.’ I apologized to him and told him in no uncertain terms that I’m no longer interested, so if he’s doing this, I don’t know if a simple ‘stop’ will actually deter him, you know?”

  Madigan set her plate on her lap. “Let’s not assume anything yet. Let’s see if he replies, okay?”

  Raven set her phone down, taking another slice of pizza, staring at it. “I’m not hungry anymore.” She dropped it on the plate and picked up her glass. “Wine will be the rest of my dinner tonight.”

  “I know you’re not asking for advice, and it’s easier said than done, but try not to let this guy ruin this life you’re happy with. Try to get some sleep and focus on the work you love to do. Focus on the things you can control.”

  Raven nodded and swallowed her mouthful of wine. “I will.”

  Madigan set her glass on the living room table and licked her lips. “Well, I appreciate the hospitality, but I’d better go back out and keep watch for a while before I go home.”

  And find another place to watch from.

  “I wish you didn’t have to.”

  “I’ll be a call or text away, okay?”

  Raven nodded and stood, walking her to the door and opening the closet. She took out her purse and brought out her chequebook. “How much do I owe you for that door thing?”

  “Oh, um, forty-five.”

  Raven’s pen glided against the paper before she scribbled something and ripped it away, handing it to Madigan.

  “Thanks.” Madigan caught a glance at the four-hundred-some-odd number. “Oh, what’s this?”

  “Your pay up until now is included in that. If it’s not enough, let me know for next time. You’ll come and follow me to work again tomorrow morning, right?”

  My first real paycheck as a P.I.

  “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t pay me unless I found out what was going on?”

  “Madigan, you’re undervaluing your time and effort. Don’t do that anymore.”

  Madigan squeezed her shoulder and folded the check, slipping it into her bag. “Thanks.”

  “No, thank you.”

  Madigan turned to the door, her cheeks growing warmer by the second. As Raven closed the door behind her, Madigan switched back into vigilant mode and walked around the house to Raven’s backyard.

  The front is secure. I need to check the back.

  I need to focus. I’m being paid for this, but I haven’t done much of anything yet.

  She feels safer, but I’m not here all the time. And Paul hasn’t returned her text yet. If someone’s leaving her these gifts without any notes, they don’t want their identity known. I bet he doesn’t reply to that text at all—or if anything—he’ll deny it, and we won’t be any closer to the truth.

  Fifteen

  Grace parked along the curb behind Mac in a subdivision located less than fifteen minutes away from Charles Gaines’ house and within the same cell phone tower reach as the one Tyler’s phone pinged off the afternoon before his crash. Mac leaned against his car in uniform and stood as she got out.

  Three cars in Joel’s driveway.

  “Think he has company?” she asked as they walked up the driveway.

  “He’s about to.” Mac knocked on the front door.

  Joel opened it, his face filled with confusion and his eyes lit up. “Oh, I—wasn’t expecting you. Were we supposed to meet?” He wore a dress shirt and his hair shone with gel.

  Grace peered over his shoulder inside. “May we come in?”

  “Okay…” He stepped backward and Grace recognized the woman from the picture Karlie showed them as she came through an entryway.

  “Hi,” she said, nodding to them and folding a dishcloth, the small diamond of her engagement ring sparkling in the chandelier light of the foyer.

  “Mia, this is Detective Sheppard and, I’m sorry, I forgot your name.”

  “Officer MacIntyre.”

  “Oh.” Mia raised her eyebrows, clutching the dishcloth. “About Tyler?”

  “Yes,” Grace said, “if we could sit down to talk?”

  “Of course.” Mia waved them to the living room, her natural, healthy blonde hair bouncing with each step. “I’m sorry, I was cleaning up dinner. This is Roger and his girlfriend, Karen.”

  Roger also wore a dress shirt and held Karen’s hand as they stared up at Grace.

  This is perfect. Everyone’s here.

  “We’re sorry to intrude.” Grace took a seat at the dining room table across from Mia and Joel, beside Roger. “We’re trying to conclude this investigation into Tyler’s death, and since you seemed to be the closest person—people?—to him, we need to speak to you again about some new discoveries.”

  Joel frowned and turned to Mia. “How can we help?”

  “Well, Mia, Roger, and Karen, how long have you known Tyler?”

  “I’ve known him since college when Joel and I got together.” Mia rested her hand on Joel’s. “They were best friends, but I considered myself pretty close to him.”

  “Same here,” Roger said and let go of Karen’s hand, folding his own in front of him.

  “I’m actually kind of new to the group,” Karen said. “I feel really bad about his death, but I can’t speak on it because I hadn’t met Tyler.”

  “Through the investigation of this case, we discovered another case in which your names were included along with Tyler’s. The death of Donelle Gaines.”

  Mia’s chest heaved, and Joel squeezed her hand.

  “What does that have to do with Tyler? Or us?” Joel asked.

  “I can’t discuss that right now,” Grace said. “If you could help us understand what exactly happened with Donelle, that would be a help.”

  “We don’t know,” Mia said, her voice trembling. “That’s the thing. Her death was ruled a suicide, so I think that’s what happened, but no one saw anything. Are you investigating her death again?”

  “Just Tyler’s.” Grace turned to her notebook. “How did you meet Donelle?”

  “I was the first to really meet her,” Mia said. “I’d walk Tyler and Joel to their class before going to mine, and we struck up a conversation one day when Tyler and Joel cut class and asked me to see about any assignments for them after. Donelle was the last one out of class, and the professor wasn’t there anymore, so I asked her. I’d seen her before, and she looked nice. Approachable. She let me know what they missed and even offered to photocopy an assignment for them, so we went to the computer lab and just found out we had a lot in common. I asked her to come to a party that night, and she came. That’s when everyone else met her.”

  Joel and Roger nodded.

  “That’s when Tyler met her?” Grace asked.

  They nodded, looking at each other before Joel spoke, “If this is about whether or not Tyler had anything to do with her death, he didn’t.”

  “I wasn’t trying to imply that at all.” Grace turned to Mac. “We’re trying to close this case and came upon another with some of the same people involved.”

  Mac turned to them. “So, how close did you all get before she died?”

  “Pretty close,” Joel said, swallowing hard. “It was a big shock.”

  Roger explained to Karen, “this was about three years ago. A friend of ours jumped off the roof of the college.”

  Mia’s bottom lip trembled. “I was shocked, but I wasn’t surprised. I mean, of course, at first, but once I thought about it… she wasn’t the same person we started hanging out with anymore. She didn’t come out as often in the weeks before her death.”

  “She seemed normal to me.” Joel sighed. “I wish I
could have known how she was feeling, seen some of the signs. Maybe we could have helped her.”

  “How did Tyler feel about it? After her death?”

  “Guilty, too,” Joel said. “He didn’t want to be there, working at the college after hours that night, but his house was further away, and no one wanted to study or do anything at Donelle’s so that’s why they were at the school.”

  “Why didn’t anyone want to go to Donelle’s?”

  “Her dad was always there. You could tell he didn’t like us. He couldn’t take a joke. Donelle got upset with him a lot, the way he spoke to her—to us—and she didn’t want to be there more than anyone. He was so strict. I thought that was why she wasn’t coming out as much anymore.”

  “But you thought she was depressed?” Grace turned to Mia.

  “She was kinda withdrawn from life except for school. Even then, she told me her dad was upset that her grades were dropping, and he blamed us for it. She said it wasn’t our fault, and I believed her, but she wouldn’t say what was going on. Something was different.”

  “How did Tyler find her mood that night?”

  Mia opened her mouth to speak, but Joel spoke first, “He said the usual. If he’d noticed something was different, he wouldn’t have left earlier like he did. He probably still felt guilty about it, but he never talked about it after that memorial when Donelle’s dad blamed us all right out in public. I think Tyler carried that with him.”

  “So, her father was strict and blamed you all?”

  Joel nodded. “Tyler and I always worked together, but for that last assignment, he partnered with Donelle to help get her grade up. He promised they’d get a perfect score, and then she could have fun with us again.”

  “And ‘us.’ That was usually…”

  “Me and Joel, Tyler, Roger, and sometimes, but not as often, a few of my other girlfriends. They went to a different college.”

  “Could I get your numbers please, in case I have any more questions?”

  Mia wrote her number in the notebook and grabbed the dish towel. She left the room as Roger wrote his down and Grace stood, waving Joel to follow them to the front door. Once they stopped in the foyer, standing face to face in the harsh light, Grace lowered her voice. “Joel, we asked you if anyone was there the day of Tyler’s death, at your office. You said no.”