Page 16 of Justified Lies

“There is only one in the front, and it faces the door. The camera in the back also faces the entrance to the house. Gabe said I should look into getting more installed.”

“I can’t help but notice that Gabe seems to be the topic of discussion every time we talk. I certainly don’t think the man despises you. In fact, he’s so possessive I would think you two had a little thing going on behind our backs.”

It was only the two of them now, but Isabela and Lianna shared everything with their other two friends.

“Only when I’m dreaming isanythinggoing on,” answered Lianna. “I think it’s less about him being possessive and more that he feels obliged to help me. Like he feels sorry for me.”

“Nah, trust me, boys are a lot simpler than we think. The man is into you. Why he hasn’t acted on it, I don’t know, but he’s into you, hon.”

Lianna ripped off a chunk of her bagel, not really believing that could be the case with her and Gabe.

“Regardless of whether he wants to jump your bones or not, which for the record, I think he does, he’s right about your neighbor. Tim sounds creepy. I’m glad Gabe told him to bugger off. Listen to him about this, he’s seen this stuff before.”

Lianna collected her thoughts as she dipped her piece of bagel into a container of honey walnut cream cheese. “Tim is … odd. But why would he go through all the trouble of harassing me? Assuming the incidents are even related. It just doesn’t add up. If he wanted to hurt me, he’s right next door.”

And that thought made her shiver. But the thing bugging Lianna the most—her neighbor had absolutely no reason to bother her. While a bit off-putting, he was never aggressive or mean. But there were no other suspects, and she didn’t even like thinking of Tim as one.

“There’s no such thing as coincidences. We must be missing something, some motive here. Are you sure there is no one you pissed off lately?”

“Believe me, I’ve been racking my brain and I can’t come up with a set of circumstances where it fits.” Lianna’s head was starting to hurt.

“Just promise to tell me right away if anything else happens,” Isabela implored. “And please start using yoursecurity system, even when you are at home. Why not just be extra careful?”

“Okay, I promise. Now talk to me about you. I’m sick of my life right now.”

Lianna’s friend was pouring herself into work even more than usual. As far as she knew, Izzy had no social life, other than her coffee dates with Lianna and Sunday dinners with her large extended family.

“What’s there to talk about? All I need is a bunch of cats at this point.”

“I know that work is busy … how’s your family?”

“They’re fine, other than having an awful daughter. They were so excited when I moved back and I see them once a week for an hour, tops.”

“I bet they don’t feel that way. They are all so proud of you, Izzy.”

“Oh, yeah? Ask Abue how she feels about her thirty something, desperately single granddaughter who wears, gasp, pants to work.”

Lianna couldn’t help the laugh that escaped.

Isabela rolled her eyes, “I’d rather talk about the vacation episode on Housewives.”

****

It was pouring rain and about as dark as midnight, when Lianna parked down the street from school Monday morning. Today she would sell her soul for her own personal parking spot right in front of the doors. Of course, all the close spots were already taken by the organized parents who left on time during an onslaught like this.

She braced herself with a steadying breath, then reached for the umbrella that lived on the passenger side floor. The umbrella was nowhere to be found and her stomach sank whenshe remembered leaving it on the front steps of her in-laws. Mentally face palming, she turned to rally the troops.

“Get ready to run, guys.”

The three of them hopped out of the minivan, throwing on coats and backpacks as they moved. The crew raced as fast as a six and almost four-year-old in gum boots could. By the time she reached the school entrance, they looked like a family of drowned rats. Adding insult to injury, neither child turned to reward her with a goodbye kiss. She settled for calling out, “Have a great day! I love you!” as they disappeared down the hall.

Lianna pondered stopping at home to change before work as she trudged back to her warm, dry vehicle. The extra stop might make her late, but at least she would look presentable. Picking up her pace, she made it three steps before colliding with a very wide, very impressive chest. Gabe’s scent registered even before she looked up into his face. Why did fate insist on tormenting her this way?

“Whoa,” he said, surprise transforming his stern face.

A Calvin Klein ad in the flesh, he stood there with a tailored navy-blue suit, crisp white shirt, and most importantly, an umbrella over his head. All Lianna could do was gawk at him.

“Bye, Dad!” Jacob exclaimed as he chased the other students into the building. Gabe craned his neck as he shouted, “See ya, bud,” to his long-gone son.

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