“Couldn’t sleep.”
The conversation paused for a moment while Perry cooked the eggs and I buttered toast.
“It could have been kids. I’ve caught a few of them sneaking in here at nights. It’d be easy for them to get in with that lock,” he commented, waving the spatula towards the door.
Great, teenagers had been using my parents’ cottage as a love shack. “Maybe.”
I bit my lip. Should I tell him about the stalker? If I was right about Perry being the “moose” in Maddy’s prophecy, it could be important.
I couldn’t do it. He already thought I was a few sandwiches short of a picnic and I didn’t want to scare him away. Stupid pride. I could almost hear Maddy giving me grief over it—or maybe I just read too many romance novels. The heroine always ends up in trouble when she hides things from the hero.
A few minutes later we were sitting at the newly scrubbed table, drinking coffee and looking at each other through lowered lashes.
While I ate I ran through the words of Maddy’s prophecy in my mind. I’d run to sanctuary—check. I’d nearly been killed by a moose on the highway, and then been foolish enough to run towards one, but at least I’d found a moose. I’d found a guy who turned my legs to jelly with one kiss so I was probably well on my way to fulfilling that love bit. Actually, watching the muscles bunch under Perry’s T-shirt had me well on my way to sweeping everything off the table and—scratch that. Time to think about sex when all this stalker mess was cleared up.
Maybe coming to Newfoundland hadn’t been a mistake.
“Do you have plans for tonight?” Perry’s question drew me from my musing. I remembered it was Halloween. Did I have plans?
“No, not really.”
“There’s a party at the hall. Some folks will be in costume, but it’s not required.”
I hesitated. Could I go to a party when there was a maniac out to kill me? Did I really want to sit in this house and wait for him to get me?
“Sure, that sounds like fun.”
“Great. I’d pick you up, but I’m supposed to be there to set up.”
“That’s okay, it’s not too far to walk.” He must have heard the tremor in my voice because his eyes swung to mine and I could see he had questions. The warmth left his eyes and for a second his expression grew hard. I held my breath and waited, knowing if he asked outright I’d tell him everything.
Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, he remained silent.
Chapter Five
I spent the day scrubbing and washing. Part of me wondered why the heck I bothered when I could be dead by midnight anyway.
The chipper, optimistic side shoved that part of me out of the way and chose to concentrate on happier thoughts—like Perry Sullivan.
I knew nothing about the man other than he seemed to be a health-food junkie, had appalling taste in decor and seemed to rejoice in his status as “weird”. As someone who’d spent her whole life trying to be as normal as possible, this fact should have set off alarm bells. Instead it felt comforting. He might possibly be the only man who would accept my own freakish secret.
And the guy was seriously hot and could kiss my pants off.
Dusk was closing in, casting long shadows across my lawn. I shuddered. The hair on the back of my neck prickled. Somewhere, in those deepening shadows, a maniac waited.
I no longer had any doubts that he’d followed me east. Maddy had never been wrong. He was here and, sometime in the next few hours, he’d make his move. I didn’t know if I’d made a mistake, not telling Perry everything. Trusting a guy I’d only known for a few days (I couldn’t count the times Maddy and I watched him mowing his lawn when we’d been teenagers) wasn’t easy and trusting in a wild animal was even harder. Why couldn’t Maddy have made things simple, just once?
Why hadn’t she seen her own death? Maybe she had. Maybe she’d just not been able to see a way out for herself the way she had for me.
The only thing to do was let things play out, and pray that I hadn’t bungled my only hope of surviving.
With that depressing thought ringing in my head, I grabbed my purse and headed for the door. The night air chilled the panic-sweat on my forehead.
Children in costumes were beginning to haunt the streets. From every front step, glowing eyes watched from orange faces. I’d never been good at carving pumpkins, and in the city it wasn’t the same anyway, so I hadn’t bothered in years. Now I wished I had a few to carve up.
Maddy had always made the best pumpkins. When we were kids, half the neighborhood would come to our house just to see what she’d done. Mine had always looked like the victim of a horrible car crash, but our parents had insisted we each do at least one.
It wasn’t far to the hall, but the distance seemed impossible when every few seconds I swore I heard footsteps behind me. Each time I turned to look over my shoulder I saw only a darkening street, and pint-sized ghosts, firemen and princesses.
When I reached the end of the Chime, I had two options—take the long and well-lit way down a populated street or duck down the alley behind the pub and get there in half the time.
I’ve seen enough horror movies to know you never go down a dark alley alone when there’s a killer on the loose. The thing was, that alley was pretty short, and there were a lot of people on the other end of it. How bad could it be?
My mind made up, I ducked off the sidewalk and behind the dumpster. The air smelled of stale beer and grease, reminding me of my own days as a waitress during college. It’s amazing how the smell of frying food can cling to hair, skin and clothes. If only perfume lasted that long.
A loud clang behind me jerked my heart up to my throat. I spun around and saw the dumpster blocking the back of the lane.
Well crud. I turned and ran harder than I’ve ever run in my entire life. My high-school gym teacher would have been proud. When I burst out onto the well-lit street I stopped and looked around. I’d more than half-expected this end of the alley to be blocked as well, so I was shocked to find myself surrounded by giggling ghosts, firemen and princesses all of whom were pointing at the scaredy-cat grownup.
Nothing like the taunting of adolescents to send your ego plummeting.
With my dignity in tatters, I walked away, letting their laughter fade into the distance.
Fiddle music drifted out the doors of the hall, a large wooden building used for everything from weddings to poker night. I grinned and quickened my step. The lights were dim and the air sharp with the scents of cinnamon and burning candles. Only a few people stood in the room and of those, only three were in costume. A shepherdess, a leprechaun and a moose.
I laughed. Even if his size hadn’t given him away, I’d have known it was Perry behind that fake fur. I don’t know why, but somehow I knew it was so like him to dress up. Back home you hardly ever saw a grown man get into the Halloween spirit, unless you counted some of Maddy’s ex-boyfriends, but to them, every day was Halloween. I wondered if any of them would be dressed in normal clothes tonight, leaving off their black leather pants and silk capes.
The moose had spotted me and I could feel the goofy grin on my face as he headed my way.
“Nice costume.”
His laugh was muffled, but I could see his eyes twinkling through the moose’s mouth. “How’d you know it was me?”
“Lucky guess.” A shriek pierced the air and I jumped. My heart thudded erratically as I looked behind me.
“Just one of the trick or treaters.” Perry’s gaze held mine for several long seconds. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Another pathetically obvious lie.
“You’re hiding something, and you’re scared.”
“I had a bit of a scare on the way here. Just some kids playing tricks. It’s nothing.”
Again he studied me, and it was impossible to read his expression in the shadows of the stuffed moose nose. When he leaned forward and whispered, “After the party we’ll talk,” I
knew he didn’t believe me. Not that I blamed him. I was a really rotten liar. What’s more, for those seconds when his gaze had bored into mine, he’d again seemed like a completely different person than the playful charmer I knew. It reminded me of something, I just couldn’t figure out what.
A short man with fake vampire teeth came up and slapped Perry lightly on the back. “Thith the girl you menthoned?”
Perry sighed and turned to the man. “Take out the teeth, Minkey. You’re spitting all over the place.”
The man grinned and spit the plastic teeth into his hand. He looked to be in his forties, with thinning blond hair and mischievous blue eyes. Other than the teeth he wore jeans and a flannel shirt. Either the teeth were the extent of his costume or he was portraying a very different kind of vampire than you normally read about.
“Sorry about that. I think they’re meant for kids. Been a bitch to keep them in place. Now, is this little lady the one who plowed that really ugly car into a tree?”
I sighed. “Yeah, that’s me. It’s a rental. On the other hand, I managed to miss the moose so it could have been worse.”
Minkey’s eyes popped, and he cast a curious glance up at Perry.
“Uh, right, could have been worse.” He looked distinctly uncomfortable and clicked the plastic teeth together. “Glad to hear it was a rental, otherwise I’d have wondered if you had horrible taste like the big guy here. Nobody in their right mind would buy a car that color,” Minkey joked. “I’ll have it right as rain in a few days, don’t you worry.”
“Minkey’s the best mechanic in the county,” Perry added.
It occurred to me that I’d forgotten to deal with the car thing. I frowned. “I should have called the rental agency about the accident, shouldn’t I have? Don’t they usually deal with stuff like this?”
“Already done. Don’t worry.”
I looked at Perry and blinked. “You called them?”
“Well sure he did. As first officer on the scene, it’s his job to take care of details.”
First officer? “You’re a cop?” A chill ran down my spine that had nothing to do with the breeze blowing in the door. Cops were dangerous.
“Well shit, Perry. You didn’t tell her what you do for a living?”
“It hasn’t come up. Would you excuse us, Mink?” Without waiting for an answer, Perry guided me away to the bar. A lump had formed in my throat.
Perry was a cop. The thought kept bouncing around in my brain like a pinball. I’d told him Maddy had been killed. I knew it would be easy for him to get information about the case from the police in Toronto, and if he had talked to the metro police, had they told him I was crazy? Hell, if he’d talked to the right cop he’d have heard more than that. Technically I’d assaulted an officer, though in my defense he’d been a jerk. The charges had been dropped, but still.
He shoved a beer into my hands and studied me through the mouth hole in his mask. “You got a problem with the police I should know about?”
“Of course not.” My response was a little too quick and forceful. His eyes narrowed.
“Look, Lottie, I know something’s up. Tonight we’ll talk and you’re going to tell me everything.”
I nodded and took a sip of my beer to avoid meeting his eyes. Maybe I should have told him earlier. Trust the moose. As he led me away to meet the other partygoers, I wondered if maybe I’d screwed up, and if that were true, I wouldn’t be around to tell Perry anything.
Chapter Six
In the next hour the room swelled with people. A long table had appeared near the bar, and with each new guest more treats were added until it threatened to collapse under the weight. I’d met more people than I could keep track of, and I’d noted more than one woman giving me dirty looks because Perry hadn’t left my side once.
I wasn’t sure what to make of Perry tonight. One minute he was looking at me as if he’d like to toss me over his shoulder and carry me off to his cave, and the next he looked at me with something resembling regret..
Maybe he hadn’t looked into the events in Ontario. I had the feeling he thought I was on the run from the law, instead of some imaginary stalker, which is what he’d have been told if he’d called Toronto. It wasn’t so much anything he said, just a feeling that he was struggling with something.
“And who is this young lady?” An older man stepped up beside us. My first impression was of a bear, but he lacked the predatory features one would associate with that animal. The man was huge, and I realized he must be Perry’s father. I vaguely recognized him from the past and he hadn’t changed much—a stern-looking man with close-cut brown hair just graying at the temples.
“Lottie, this is my dad, Dave Sullivan. Dad, this is Lottie MacElwain. I’m sure you remember her and her family. They own the cottage next door to me and spent summers here a while back.”
The man’s eyebrows rose. “Is that so?” His brown eyes settled on my face for a long minute then shifted to study his son’s. “Perhaps she’d give us a minute to talk. I’ve a question to ask of you.”
I nodded and watched them walk away to the bar. Bodies drifted in and out of my field of view, keeping me from seeing what was going on. I shrugged and turned to look around the room. Somehow I’d forgotten how friendly and welcoming people were here.
As I watched a group of balding men do a jig I let my mind wander. Maddy would have loved this. A lump formed in my throat at the thought of never seeing her again. There are always regrets when someone dies. I wish I’d spent more time, wish I’d told them, wish I’d repaid that money—the list went on.
I’d been near enough grieving families at work to know how it worked, and to know that when the loved one was taken from them violently, purposefully, the need for revenge and justice overwhelmed grief until those responsible were punished.
In my own panic I’d never gotten to that stage, but now, watching these happy people celebrating, it struck me how much that bastard had stolen from her, and from me.
Cold fury washed over me, and in its wake came the need to act. As soon as Perry returned I’d tell him everything, and together we’d see this murdering prick strung up by his balls.
My determination slipped when Perry rejoined me. His face was grim, his eyes bright with anger. His hand enveloped mine in a grip so firm and possessive I nearly jerked free from shock.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing, just an argument with my father.”
I frowned. I didn’t want to be nosy and ask what they’d argued about, nor did I want to rush right into my own confession, thereby saying his problems were insignificant next to mine. Technically it was true. Raving lunatic versus meddling father. No real contest there. Still, I couldn’t just say that.
So I waited, deciding I’d give him a few minutes to cool down before I dumped all my troubles at his feet.
“Not long now, Lottie.” The voice was a whisper, barely audible.
I jumped and frowned up into Perry’s face. “What did you say?”
“I didn’t say anything.” I realized Perry had been talking to someone whose name I couldn’t remember. Twisting my lips in confusion I looked over my shoulder. Nobody stood close enough to have whispered in my ear.
Great, now I was hearing voices.
A few minutes later I felt warm breath on my neck and a soft voice say “You will be mine, Lottie.”
I spun around, jerking out of Perry’s one-armed embrace. There was nobody there.
I squealed as hands clamped onto my shoulders. “What’s wrong?” Perry asked, turning me around and tilting my chin up with one finger.
My heart, which had taken a trip down to my feet, thundered back into its customary place. “Um, nothing. Claustrophobic. I think I need some air.”
I don’t think he believed me, but I didn’t care. He was here, somewhere in this room, and all I knew was that I had to get out.
Without a word, Perry guided me through the crowd towards the door. My shoulder blades itche
d and all the hair on my body stood on end.
“Oh good, there you are, Perry!” Minkey sprinted over to block our way. “Marcus went and got himself snookered again. He’s threatening to beat Lenny with a candy apple if Lenny won’t give him back his keys. Oh, and Lester said some fax came through for you from Toronto”
Perry cursed. “I’ll take care of it.” He looked down at me and frowned, then kissed me on the forehead and said, “I’ll be out in five.” He turned and followed the mechanic back into the mob.
Alone, I stood on the threshold trying to decide what to do. If I stayed inside there was a good chance the stalker wouldn’t make a move because of the crowd, but if I could get away, maybe hide somewhere, then when Perry came out we could talk. If the fax was about me, I really didn’t want to be standing beside him when he read about me being a nut job.
Hiding sounded good.
The streets were deserted. Trick or treating was done for another year and tomorrow there would be hundreds of kids with stomachaches, unless they had parents like mine. Every year my sister and I had to take all our candy down to the women’s shelter. We were never allowed sweets, which could explain why I pretty much lived on junk as an adult.
A Kit-Kat would really calm my nerves right now.
Unfortunately there were no kids around to steal candy from so I kept walking, deciding that if I could get a good hiding spot where I could watch the door, I’d be able to see the stalker come out and BAM! I’d have him.
I chose a rusty Ford pickup parked across the street and hunkered down in the shadows under the lowered tailgate to wait. A young couple came out of the curling club, holding hands and giggling over a shared secret. Probably going off to have their own private party. I squelched the spurt of envy and kept my eyes on the door.
Ten minutes later my butt tingled and my legs ached. Nobody else had come out. I wondered if Perry was still dealing with the drunk guy or if some other crisis had come up. Maybe he’d decided not to bother with me after reading that fax.
Beginnings: Last Prophecy Page 3