Obey All Laws by Cindy Goyette

Author:Cindy Goyette [Cindy Goyette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Five

I wanted to stay snuggled in bed where I felt safe. Sleep was an appealing alternative to the madness that had become my life. And I still felt exhausted after a night of strange dreams about Marcus and Betz. But my bladder was unforgiving. Peeking out from under the covers, I focused on the bedside clock.

Nine thirty! I couldn’t remember the last time I slept that late. I shot out of bed and raced for the bathroom.

After, I checked in with my office. My job afforded me a flexible schedule, but I liked to let them know what I was up to during business hours. And good thing. Tracy reminded me I had a court appearance.

Once I’d showered and dressed, I found Betz had left for the day, but he’d taken the sheets off the sofa and left them neatly folded on the coffee table. In the kitchen, a bag of bagels and a six-pack of Diet Coke sat on the counter. Leaning against it was a note. Thanks for letting me crash here last night. Be super careful today. I’ll call you later.

I put the soda in the refrigerator, grabbed a sesame bagel, and munched on it as I returned to the living room. Betz had taken his bag with him. Drat. I wouldn’t have minded a semi-permanent arrangement—at least until Hope was found.

Finding Matthew Peterson’s number, I punched it into my phone. A receptionist told me he was in court all morning but offered his voicemail. I left a message, claiming it was urgent that we speak, but I didn’t offer the reason in case it gave him cause not to return my call.

With a bit before court, I called a locksmith to repair the broken lock on my patio door and a handyman for the bedroom window, and spent the next twenty minutes wiping off fingerprint powder.

Figuring Joy had a late night, and I didn’t hear her come in, I waited until close to ten-thirty before tapping on her door. When she didn’t answer, I eased it open and peered inside to find the bed neatly made.

I grabbed my phone and sent her a message. “You okay?”

A few minutes later, I got a reply. “Fine.”

I breathed a sigh of relief and sorted through my mail, separating the junk from the bills. Remembering I hadn’t checked my mailbox for the better part of a week, I retrieved my keys and walked down the street to the bank of mailboxes.

As predicted, my box was full. I pulled out the contents and started shuffling through the pile of mostly junk when my cell phone chirped with a text. I tucked the stack of mail under my arm and looked to see if it was Betz. I half-hoped he was checking on me again.

Don’t be the next victim. Again, from an unknown number.

My face flushed with anger. Really? What the hell were these cryptic messages about? What the hell does that mean? I typed back.

The alarm on my phone startled me.

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