Rocking Chairs & Rituals by Corrine Winters

Author:Corrine Winters [Winters, Corrine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-13T16:00:00+00:00

16

“You stay here,” Dorothy commanded though she was whispering. She glanced around, making sure they were still alone and still unseen. “Watch through the window. If anything goes bad, call the police.”

Dorothy made to move away but Zoe clutched her arm.

“What?!” Zoe looked worried. “You’re not going to talk to her alone!”

“I don’t want you in danger.” Dorothy shook her head. “Besides, you’re safe out here where you can call the police if things get hinky. She won't know I have someone watching my back.”

Zoe glanced around the neighborhood and let out a sigh that puffed out in a frosty cloud. Dorothy could tell she was debating the plan.

“Fine,” Zoe finally whispered. “But at the first sign of trouble, I am calling the cops and running in after you.”

“You just keep yourself safe,” Dorothy chided. “Promise!”

Zoe rolled her eyes. “I promise.”

“Okay then.”

Dorothy hugged Zoe tightly and kissed her on the forehead. Then, she turned and crept in the darkness around Sofia Costa’s house.

The porch was illuminated by a single light that cast an eerie glow across the landscape, creating shadows that seemed to move with each gust of wind. Dorothy took a deep breath and stepped onto the porch. It was decorated with modern furniture in shades of black and gray, accented by brass fixtures that glinted in the moonlight. Set against this stylish backdrop was an old-fashioned metal framed porch swing, its chain links ringing lightly as it swayed in the breeze.

Despite her anxiety-filled mission, Dorothy found herself drawn to the feel of the porch. For a moment she imagined sitting there alone, watching the stars twinkle in the night sky while sipping a cup of tea or lemonade.

Recalling why she had come, Dorothy squared her shoulders and moved to knock on the door. She could only hope that Sofia wouldn’t turn violent when confronted with Dorothy’s suspicions.

She rapped quickly on the door. Sofia flung open the door angrily, already talking as though she expected the return of the shady man that had just departed.

“I already told you that is fresh information. New people, new numbers–” Sofia cut herself off, flustered. “I thought you were someone else. My business partner. He just left.”

“No need for excuses,” Dorothy assured her. “This is an unexpected visit after all.”

“Yes,” Sofia narrowed her eyes. “You’re Dorothy Hensley, from the bank. And the bookstore.

“Yes.” Dorothy nodded.

“What are you doing here?” Sofia leaned out the door, searching up and down the street as if to check if someone was seeing Dorothy on her porch.

“How did you find out where I live?” Sofia demanded angrily.

“I understand how you must be feeling. I know how violating it can be when your personal information is discovered,” Dorothy quipped, referencing the transaction with the shady man that Sofia had just conducted.

Sofia's eyes widened and her skin blanched white. She seemed to sway, and Dorothy thought she might fall but for the tight grip she maintained on the front door. Sofia’s breaths began to come in short gasps and Dorothy worried she might have a panic attack.

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