“Unfortunately, they don’t seem to realize that.”
Bailey barks, reminding me I haven’t been able to walk her and Butterscotch. “Do you think you could take the dogs for a walk?” I ask Simone. “I’m afraid of what will happen if I go out there.”
“I can do that.” She splits a glance between the front door and me. “Have you called the cops?”
I shake my head and fold my arms across my chest, trying to keep my pieces together at the thought of calling them.
“You really should.”
“And what will they do? Yes, someone vandalized my front door, but do you think any of those people will tell the cops who did it?” My voice comes out sounding defeated. Fed up. Frustrated. “Do you really think the cops will do anything about the people out there chanting and waving signs at me? They’re not breaking any laws.”
Simone releases a long, agreeing sigh. “I wish the guys were back from their trip. They’d know what to do.” Unfortunately, there’s no cell reception where they are.
A grin curves my lips, despite the gravity of my situation. “They only have to stand outside and flex their muscles. That might be enough to chase some of those people away.”
She laughs. “You might be right about that. All right,” she says to the three dogs. “You ready to go for a walk?”
They bark and rush to the door.
“Text me if things get unruly.” Simone tilts her head toward the closed curtains.
My stomach twists just thinking about what’s waiting for her outside. Sure, we’re not talking the zombie apocalypse, but those people might end up being just as dangerous. “Be careful out there. That mob might take offense to you helping me.”
Lucas will never forgive me if something should happen to his wife.
“I’m not too worried about them. They won’t do anything to hurt me. I’ve got three guard dogs.”
“I hardly think two large energetic puppies count as guard dogs.”
Simone chuckles. “You clearly haven’t been jumped on by an overly eager Jasper. He doesn’t realize his own strength sometimes.”
They leave, and I peer through the narrow gap in the curtains, making sure they get past the crowd without being harassed. A few people yell at her. She scowls at them but doesn’t respond.
Simone and the dogs walk away from the growing crowd. I remain at the window, watching for her return.
A police cruiser pulls up in front of the house. The officer climbs out but doesn’t appear to be in a rush to do anything. He takes his time to assess the situation on the sidewalk.
I recognize him. He’s the same officer who came to the door when Violet went missing, and he questioned me about her disappearance. Troy knows him. Roy or Royce or something like that. The man is in his mid-thirties. Works out. Light-brown hair. Nothing particularly noteworthy about him. No scars or visible tattoos peeking from under the short sleeves of his uniform.
He walks up to the protesters, his long stride slow and easy, and I can tell I’ll get no support from him.
Some of the protesters smile and nod at him like they know him. Which they probably do.
I’m the stranger, the one to be judged and scorned.
A few faces I do recognize in the crowd, but it’s not because I’ve spoken with my neighbors. I’ve only seen them walking on the sidewalk or on their front lawn. Except for with Delores, I’ve mostly kept to myself, too afraid that someone on the street would recognize me.
Guess the joke is on me.
The officer chats with the protesters for a few minutes. No one appears offended by what he has to say. Nor do they disband, taking their hateful signs with them.
Once he’s finished catching up with everyone, or whatever he’s doing out there, he casually strolls up the path to my house. He draws closer, his hand going to the butt of the gun in his holster. The officer has already labeled me. I’m the troublemaker. The dangerous offender. The risk to everyone’s safety.
He disappears from my view, which means he’s on my front stoop. The doorbell rings.
I want to pretend I didn’t hear it, stay sheltered in my home. But at the same time, I don’t want to be a prisoner in it.
My breath shaky and my limbs trembling, I go to the foyer, disengage the alarm, and open the door.
