My gaze landed on my sketchbook and the pencils resting on the bedside table. It was the only familiar thing in the room. I grabbed them both. Closing my eyes, I let the pencil slide across the paper in shapes that I’d seen in my dream. The girl from the vision sat on the stoop of a house smaller than mine. The duplex looked like all of the others around it with one exception. A tiger was staring out the window, and the girl was holding up her wrist, looking at her watch.
I put the sketchbook back on the table when Harlon reentered. He carried a tray of food, complete with a bud vase holding a single carnation.
“I figured you’d be hungry after sleeping so long.”
“I am,” I answered as he laid the tray across my lap. He lifted the dome-shaped lid to reveal a grilled cheese sandwich, soup, and an apple.
“Thank you,” I answered.
“When you feel better and get stronger, we’ll get you cleaned up and I’ll take you back to my house.”
I rested my hand over Harlon’s. “You need to delete that picture, please. I don’t know what happened, but I can’t afford for anyone else to find out.”
“I will.” Harlon’s gaze landed on my sketchpad. “When did you do this?”
“While you were getting food.”
He took the sketchpad and crossed the room, retaking his seat. “This is Suzie, my sister, and her cat, Mittens.”
“I figured. But you want to know what I didn’t understand when we witnessed Manny’s attack.”
“What’s that?”
“What words were being used on the dogs? You heard them, right? By touching me you got the full picture?”
“Us together worked like a charm. I saw and heard everything you did. Someone must have recorded Manny’s voice saying the words that triggered this.Fassenmeans attack, andfussmeans heel. There’s no way he’d be telling them to attack him.”
“Sounds like someone wanted your dad dead and knew exactly how to do it.”
“My father co-owns the security company, but his passion has always been with the guard dogs. Suzie followed in the same path. He taught her to train them. Each dog that comes through the firm’s doors is trained for several years before they’re trusted with clients.”
“Had the dogs that attacked him been here long?” I asked as I bit into my sandwich.
“Three years. Suzie and Dad had started issuing them to clients two weeks prior to this event. Our guard dogs are highly sought after.”
“Your sister is alive,” I said, gesturing to the sketchbook. “I’m sorry I wasn’t much help.”
He lifted his gaze to me. “You’ve more than helped, Nina. You’ve given me hope that I can still put my family back together again.”
He dropped his gaze back to the picture and ran his thumb over the paper. “I don’t suppose you saw a street name?”
I shook my head. “No, but maybe the numbers on the door will help.”
I knew the minute he saw it. His lips twisted into a smile and he gasped. Not only were there numbers on the doors but there was a security sign planted in the flowerless bed full of dirt.
“The numbers and that sign will. You’re a genius, like my lucky charm.” Harlon shot up from his seat and crossed the room. He rested his palm on my cheek before pressing an unexpected tender kiss to my lips.
Tingles raced through me, waking my body the way a sleeping foot feels upon awakening. He held my gaze when he leaned back. “I have to go make a few phone calls. You okay?”
I nodded, unable to answer.
Was I?
