Storm Damage by Linda Underwood

Author:Linda Underwood [Underwood, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781475938296
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2012-08-09T16:00:00+00:00

“The Red Cross is reporting that those families that were most affected by the devastation of Isabelle are returning home. A Red Cross spokesperson added that “the next several days will be a time of rebuilding lives.”

Chapter 13

I awoke with a resolve to stay out of whatever was going on. Enough was enough. After a large cup of tea, I dressed in my favorite worn jeans and a much loved but slightly tattered sweatshirt and drove to the nearest convenience store for fresh milk, another pack of cigarettes and the Washington Post. You have to get to the store early or all the Washington newspapers are gone. In the car, I told myself that a quiet day over the crossword puzzle and some much-needed rest would be all that I would do today. Before entering the store, I scanned the parking lot for a white SUV. Not one, thank God.

Walking back to the meagerly stocked refrigerated section, I noticed a young woman staring at me through the store’s plate glass windows. Accustomed as I had become to brief local unwelcome notoriety, I disregarded her stare and went on with my shopping. After paying for my few purchases, I approached my car and noticed the woman again. This time I took a longer look at her impolite stare. Petite, with long, blond hair tied in a ponytail, wearing faded jeans and a wrinkled, white shirt. I also noticed she was wearing very dark sunglasses and was standing next to a small red sports car parked two cars over from mine.

Although we rarely get panhandlers outside convenience stores on the Northern Neck as we did in Alexandria, I was very much on my guard. Yesterday’s events were still fresh in my mind, thus I surveyed the parking lot again for a white SUV. Empty of such a vehicle, I relaxed and drove home.

Settling comfortably on the couch, I happily began giving my tired mind a rest with the puzzle. Perhaps I had killed too many brain cells with scotch, wine and brandy, but the puzzle seemed difficult, too difficult for a middle of the week puzzle. I got up to make another cup of tea but froze when I saw the red sports car from the store driving slowing down my driveway. Now what? I thought, as red flags rose in my head.

I waited until she was almost at the front entrance before I glanced around the room for a weapon. The closest was a dusty old baseball bat leaning against a shelf in the front library alcove. For the life of me, I could not remember why it was there. I placed it near the door and continued to watch her approach from a small window. Just as she was about to knock, I swung open the door quickly, hoping to catch this stranger by surprise. Surprised she was. She almost stumbled backward, but shakily caught herself before she fell.

Sensing I had the upper hand, I stood in the doorway emitting my no nonsense demeanor.

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