Page 40 of Destined Chaos
“Yes, we will,” Libby said. “Any idea when your guys are going to be done?”
“They’re running ground-penetrating radar to see if they need to dig anywhere else. I’m hoping they’ll be out of your way in the next couple of days when your construction crew shows up. We sprayed luminol through the entire house except for the room in the attic. The door was locked.”
“Right,” Libby said. “Dinky has the key. I’ll call him and have him bring it over.”
Clark nodded. “Well, then. Call me if you need anything.”
“Of course. Thanks for stopping by,” I said.
“And helping to provide me some answers,” Libby added.
“I just hope you don’t shoot the messenger when this is all over,” Clark said as he headed for the front door.
Libby texted Dinky, letting him know that she was going to need the key, hoping whatever was in the attic was less atrocious than what they’d found in the basement.
19
Libby
The house was cooler as the sun began to set. The forensic people had just left, and I could breathe a smiling sigh of relief. After two more bags of things had been removed from the basement, I felt like I was being watched from the landing above. The creepy hair-on-the-neck feeling, signaling that I wasn’t alone even after the forensic people and Hugh left, had me on edge. I wasn’t alone, but then again, I was never really alone.
I hobbled into the bedroom and grabbed some clothes from my bag to take a shower. Hugh had run to his house to grab some necessities and to pick up dinner that neither one of us would need to cook.
Stepping into the shower, I was careful of my foot and did my best to wash before climbing out. When this boot was finally off my leg, I’d soak in a long hot bath. Maybe I’d invite Hugh to join me. The tub was plenty big enough.
A smile slipped onto my lips as I thought about Hugh, and all the way, my feelings toward him surprised me. It was out of the ordinary for me to be surprised and to become attached. Why was I letting this happen? I wouldn’t be alive in five years to see where anything went.
I dressed, and the hair on my neck rose as I turned in place. I could feel the presence in the room even if I couldn’t see it yet. The chill in the room raised goosebumps on my arms. Disembodied female laughter traveled through the air vents.
I heard clanging in the kitchen. Hugh was back.
“That was fast,” I called out on my way down the hall toward the kitchen.
That intense feeling of eyes on me had my gaze darting into every room I passed. The anticipation of what was to come rattled my nerves. Something passed behind me. The quick gush of air doubled the goosebumps on my arms. A little girl appeared in front of me and quickly disappeared. I stood stock-still, hoping she’d return. I had questions and nowhere to look for answers.
Another noise in the kitchen had me moving again. I rounded the corner into the empty kitchen and frowned. I’d heard something, and not from the dead variety. I slowly turned in place when I spotted where the noise originated. My heart sped up as anger roiled through my body.
“Peter, what are you doing here?” I asked. The sound of my voice had him turning his gaze from the den toward me.
“There you are,” he said, his voice laced with determination. “Champ had my stuff delivered.”
“Good. I’m glad you got it back.” My brows dipped. “But what are you doing here? Did I forget to pack something of yours?”
“Yeah,” he said, coming to stand in front of me. He tilted his head. “You.”
The anger building inside turned to boulders in my stomach. “Peter, you and I broke up. I thought I made it clear that we weren’t going to get back together.
“I heard you.” His eyes flashed. “You just didn’t try hard enough to keep us together, so I’m going to have to do it for both of us.”
I took a step back. I wasn’t quick enough. He grabbed one of my wrists, making my crutch fall. His thick fingers dug into my skin.
“Peter. You need to leave. Hugh will be back soon.”
Anger flashed in Peter’s eyes. “Good, it’s time I dealt with him too. He needs to understand that we’re not through. I don’t run when things get hard. Especially when they’re worth fighting for.”
“Peter, please, just go,” I said, fighting the tears that threatened to stab my eyes. “We’re over. I’m not taking you back.”
His fist came hard and fast to my face, sending me to the ground and making me lose my other crutch.
