Page 23 of Like A Moth To A Flame

“Woah, woah! A little hostile, Ness!” A familiar voice sounded on the line, and I released a shaking breath. I knew that voice. Sheriff Banner.

“Oh hey, Sheriff,” I said, pulling a hand down my face. I was shaking so hard that it was a wonder I could stand up at all.

“Everything okay?’ he asked, and I could hear the worry in his voice.

“Yeah!” I said, trying to sound cheerful. I only succeeded in squeaking like a mouse. “Yeah, I just got a really weird telemarketer call earlier. They were super pushy. I’m sorry, I’m a little on edge.”

“I noticed,” he chuckled. “Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Sure,” I said, tossing my keys onto the counter. They made a loud clang, and I jumped.

Damn it.

Damn it.

Damn it.

“So, as far as I know, the only person in this town with enough money to own a BMW convertible that new is… you.”

I knew why he was calling. I sighed.

Busted.

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah,” he said, and he paused for a second. “Now, I’m not your dad, so I’m not here to bust your chops, but let’s just say we both know the little stunt you pulled on Lake Street.”

I huffed a laugh. Oops.

“We could say that.”

“Let’s keep that to a minimum, shall we?”

I sighed in relief.

“Yes, sir.”

“Alright, you take care, Vanessa. Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will, thanks, Sheriff.”

I hung up, letting out my breath in a long, low whoosh. That was close.

I was so damn jumpy. I let a simple porch light rile me all up.

Just as I turned to step away from the phone, it rang again, and my heart jumped right back into my throat. Damn it. I needed to get it together.

Snatching it up, I placed it to my ear, holding it in place with my shoulder.

“Hey, Sheriff Banner. Forget something?”

“Hello, beautiful.”

I stopped, my lips pressed together and my breath caught behind a wall of dread in my throat. I didn’t know this voice. It was like sandpaper across my tongue, rough and biting. It was the growl of a bear in the forest, stalking you as you walked the trail.

“Sh-sheriff Banner?” I asked, and my voice sounded small and timid.

He laughed, the same low, thunderous sound I’d heard this morning.

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