took hold of her free hand. “It’s not only my sister I’m concerned about. Jameson King never found out what Scott Winters called him about, and the next day, Scott was dead. Strange things are happening in Magnolia Falls. Tomorrow may not come. Tonight would be far better.”
“You’re being cruel.”
“No, I’m being realistic,” he said.
Fear, stark and vivid, glimmered in her pale blue eyes. She yanked her hand out of his, pushed him away and climbed into the car.
SIX
Up the street from Burt’s Pizza, the watcher stared in confusion as Dee argued with some hunk outside his black sports car while a young woman sat in the backseat. What’s wrong, Dee? Lover’s spat, or are you afraid of little old me? Pulling up the hood of the sweatshirt, she looked both ways before slipping out of her hiding place in the alley. She pushed the black-framed glasses up on her nose. What on earth were you looking for in the library, you nerd? You always did have your nose in a book. The watcher glanced up the street to the library. If only they hadn’t put in that stupid security system, I could get inside and figure out what you’re onto. The last thing I need is you sticking your nose in my business. I’ll make sure you keep your mouth shut, and I know just how to do it.
Dee watched as Edgar walked around to the front of the car minutes after scaring her back to her senses with his “I’m being realistic” comment. She wasn’t too happy with him.
Christiana sighed. “I hate when Edgar gets like this. Our father was very protective, too. It’s a genetic flaw in Brazilian men.”
Dee couldn’t help but laugh at Christiana’s analysis of her brother. “It’s as endearing as it is annoying, but in this case, he’s right. We all need to be extra careful,” she said, clipping her comment as Edgar opened the driver’s-side door and sat down.
“Christiana, we’re going to take you by Julia’s, then I’m going to make sure Miss Owens gets home okay. I want you to call if you need anything. I don’t care how late it is.”
“Whatever,” she said, as if he were punishing her by making her stay at a friend’s house. Dee expected Christiana to argue, but she didn’t.
“It’s really not necessary for you to take me home, Edgar.”
“It’s not a problem,” he insisted.
Dee resigned herself to going along with Edgar’s plan. For the time being anyway. She was tired, and she really didn’t want to go home alone. With Lauren in Savannah for the weekend, going home to a dark, empty house held little appeal after Lauren had been attacked in her backyard. She couldn’t deny that it felt comforting to know he was next to her, just in case anyone was watching.
They arrived at Julia’s and Edgar walked his sister to the door. Dee watched Edgar step inside and be greeted by a middle-aged man she presumed to be Julia’s father. Knowing Edgar, she imagined he was apologizing for the inconvenience.
Her mind drifted back to the phone call. The more she thought about it, the only voice that came to mind was Josie Skerritt. But why would Josie call to say the messages were from an impostor? Why couldn’t one thing in this entire scandal make some sort of sense?
A few minutes later, Edgar returned to the car. “Sorry for the delay, Dee,” he said. “I wanted to make sure Julia’s parents understand why I’m a little more concerned than usual.”
“I’m sorry to cause all of this trouble, but now I’ll admit, I’m relieved to have someone with me.”
“Good.” Edgar reached over the console and took hold of Dee’s hand. “I wouldn’t forgive myself if you’d said no. Where are you parked?”
“In K lot, near the bell tower.” She noted that he wasn’t letting go of her hand, and she didn’t mind. It was a nice reminder of the reunion, when she’d thought he was flirting with her. “It’s not your fault, the extra exposure, I mean. It goes with the profession. And it doesn’t normally bother me. But it does feel more personal with this job. If Lauren wasn’t out of town this weekend, I’d at least have her waiting at home for me. I should…” her voice faded as she thought of what had already happened in town over the past few months. “Before you leave me at my car, I want to tell you about the call, just in case.”
“I apologize. I didn’t mean to scare you by bringing up Scott’s death.”
“It’s true, though. The police would know what story he was researching if his laptop had been found or if he’d left Jameson more information, and we’d probably know who killed him by now. I’m not so much worried about myself as I am hoping we catch this maniac before anyone else is hurt.” Dee told him about the mysterious call. “I searched the Internet for a Josie Skerritt, but there were no results on any of the sites or search engines.”
“That’s very strange,” Edgar said thoughtfully.
It felt better knowing someone else was concerned. She realized that she really should write it all down while it was fresh in her memory, in case it did turn out to be important information that the police might need.
“And she didn’t give any clue as to who she is?” Edgar turned into the parking lot, made a circle and left the parking lot again. “Do you have any premonition of who it could be? Who were Josie’s friends in college? Who would he have kept in touch with?”
“Premonitions?” Dee laughed. “I don’t have premonitions. Or at least I don’t think I do. And who is the ‘he’ you’re thinking of?” Dee noticed Edgar going around the block for a second time. “Edgar, you just went by my car. Where are you going?”
“I was busy talking and want to take another look around in the landscaping. When I get nervous I confuse my pronouns and mix up my languages. Sorry.”
It endeared Edgar Ortiz to her even more. Macho, chivalrous, and he didn’t hesitate to admit he was a bit frightened, too. Now she was really scared. She forced herself to think of the caller to ease her concern about getting into her own car.
“I was so focused on the caller’s voice that I didn’t really consider who Josie would’ve kept in touch with. Now all I can think of is that the voice sounds like Josie’s did.” She let out a deep sigh and shook her head. “But if it was Josie, why wouldn’t she have just said someone was responding as her? The more they dig into this case, the more peculiar it’s getting.” Edgar circled once more before returning to her car. Then he made her wait until he’d looked around it before allowing her to get in.
“I’ll follow a little too close. If you see anything that alarms you, pull over in a busy place. And keep your phone handy. And…”
“Edgar, you’re scaring me even more. Let’s get on the road. And you do realize that I live half an hour out of town, don’t you?”
He paused. “Since your other office is in Savannah, I didn’t think you lived around the corner, but no, I don’t know exactly where your apartment is. It’s okay, I’ll follow. I’m not going to send you out there alone.”
“Okay, don’t say I didn’t give you a chance to back out. And, just so you know, it’s a house, out by the Magnolia Lane Golf Course.” She watched in amazement as he hurried back to his car. His broad shoulders were enough to scare that puny stalker away, she was sure of that. She glanced into the shadows, relieved that no one was looking back.
Twenty-six minutes later, Dee pulled into the long driveway to her two-story home, wondering how she could be certain that no one was lurking outside. She turned her headlights on bright, then entered the security code to open the garage door. She pulled in on one side, motioning for Edgar to pull into the other. After they were both inside, Dee closed the garage door and breathed a sigh of relief. She got out of her car and entered the security code on the garage entry to the house.
Edgar looked around, a smile