Page 90 of In the Line of Ire

"Don'tlook at my reading app," I told him.

"I willonly look at the camera roll," he said.

"Don'tlook at last week's," I instructed before he hopped out.

"Whatdid you do last week?" asked Delgado, hesitating and holding thecar door wide open.

"If youdon't look, you'll never know and we'll both be okay with that," Itold him.

Delgadoshook his head before he shut the door.

"Whatisonthe camera roll?" asked Solomon.

"Not youtoo!" I said.

"I'mintrigued."

"There'sno time to explain. Let's catch this weirdo. I need at least onewin tonight."

"You gotit," said Solomon as he gunned the engine.

Chapter Twenty

NatalieMorgan's house was dark. The lights were off at both of herneighbors’ houses too and a strange stillness hung in the air. Thestreet wasn't quite abandoned yet but as I looked around, Irealized it wasn't too far off. Several driveways were empty butfurther away, some cars came home for the night and a jogger,swathed in reflective neon, hurried past me.

"There!"I said, pointing to the window.

"What?"asked Solomon.

"Aflashlight. I saw it just for a moment but it was definitely there.Someone must be inside." I leaned forwards, squinting, but thelight was gone. Then it reappeared, shining through the front door."Do you see it?"

"I seeit now," said Solomon. "Call your client and make sure it's not heror one of her kids."

"If itwere, why would they use a flashlight instead of the house lights?"I took Solomon's phone and called.

"Hi!"said Natalie.

"This isLexi," I said.

"Ididn't recognize the number. Hi, Lexi."

"Mycellphone was stolen. Long story. This is Solomon's number and youcan reach me on it until I get a new phone."

"I'llmake a note of that. Is everything okay?" she asked.

"I'mjust checking to be sure that you're not at your house."

"No, I'mat the movie theater. Why? Is something wrong?"

"And thegirls?"

"They'rewith me. Hugo is here too. What's wrong? Did somethinghappen?"

"Nothing, so far. Solomon and I were just doing a courtesycheck at your house. I'll call you right back," I said, hanging upbefore she demanded more information. I didn't want to contrive anexplanation. My head ached and any explanation had to wait. Thetime was ripe; I was poised and ready to catch the weirdo in themiddle of whatever creepy thing he or she intended to do in thehouse.

"Do youwant to take the back door and I’ll take the front?" Iasked.

"Ithought I might go into the attic and drop down," said Solomon."Why don't you wait here? I know your head hurts."

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