Page 55 of Her Only Hero

“No, I didn’t,” the young man said.

“I have documentation of a call originating from this store’s landline,” Patrick said with inarguable authority.

“Y-yes, there was a call made, but not by me. Some guy came in here, emptied the change from his wallet, and bought an energy drink, before asking to use the phone. I dialed for him, to make sure it wasn’t long distance.”

“Did you know this person?” Patrick asked.

“No, never seen him before.”

“Can you describe him?”

“Yeah, he was taller than me. Short, dark brown hair. Maybe in his thirties.”

“Did he say anything?” I asked.

“He said his cell battery was dead, and he had to call his girlfriend at work.”

I froze. A chill stroked my spine.

“Are there any other details you can remember about this customer?”

Shaan shook his head. “No. Except maybe he was white, like pale white. He was kinda hunched. Didn’t look well.”

“In what way?” I said.

“He looked sick. Maybe he was on drugs or something.”

Patrick readied his notepad and pen. “Shaan, would you mind giving me your contact information in case we need to ask further questions?”

“Sure,” he said and supplied Patrick with details.

We stepped outside, and I turned to Patrick. “Was I supposed to be the ‘girlfriend’ he was referring to?”

“I’d say that is a fair assumption.”

“I have a stalker?”

“Not if I can help it.”

Patrick stayed close to me as we crossed the road and got into the cruiser. During the drive to his place, I noticed Patrick glanced in the rearview mirror more than usual.

“Do you think we’re being followed?”

“No,” he said and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

When we arrived at his home, he escorted me in and bolted the door afterward. He peered out of the front window, unbuckled his utility belt, and dropped it onto an end table. He came over and pulled me into his arms for a full-on kiss. All engulfing, passionate, mind-numbing. He slowly pulled away and led me to the couch. He could have led me anywhere, and I would have followed. We sat, and he put his arm around me.

“Before I get completely unruly, we need to talk.”

“I’m amenable to that,” I said.

The side of his mouth lifted. “Amenable to the talk, or me getting unruly?”

I laughed.

His expression turned serious. “With regard to our case, I believe we’ve stumbled on something we’ve yet to figure out, and from here on in, we’re going to have to be more cautious.”

“Okay. But more cautious, how?”

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