Page 57 of Fanatic

“Wind your neck in,” Willow quipped, stealing one of my phrases. Amused despite myself, I shook my head and followed Willow into the house.

“Is everything okay?” Gladys asked as she cupped Danny’s head.

“Willow seems to have picked up a stalker that is leaving nasty gifts,” I replied.

“I didn’t see anyone approach, but Danny and I were playing in the rear garden,” Gladys said, looking outraged.

“I’ve called the cops, anyway. Thanks, Gladys,” I explained. I liked the woman, but I needed time alone with Willow.

Gladys offered an amused smile and handed me Danny before hugging Willow and leaving.

Willow

I shut the door on Lio and Phil Gold, and once again, I was awed by the handsome gene the Hawthorne family had. Lio wasa hunk, no doubt. Fanatic had fished the last gift out of the bin, something I was grateful for as that had been rank enough a few days ago. I hated to imagine the stench now. Fanatic looked green when he returned.

Gold and Lio didn’t seem too amused either as they carted the evidence out. They’d taken statements, but there wasn’t much to go on.

I did wonder aloud if it was that nasty piece of work, Edna, but Fanatic had shaken his head. Once again, the intruder had managed to block the cameras, and Edna couldn’t reach that high. Guess that one was off the list.

We had a quiet evening in and went to bed separately. Not what I really wanted, but I’d respect Fanatic’s wishes for now. The next day, Fanatic reluctantly headed out, and I decided to take Danny to the local park. I’d my earpiece in for my phone and walked Danny in his stroller.

Today was a nice day, and the sun warmed me through to my bones. As awful as it sounded, I was happy to be alive.

On reaching the park, I pushed Danny in some swings, and then we played in the sandpit for a while. When Danny got thirsty, I picked him up, smiling at some of the other moms and carried him to the stroller and sat on a bench.

Danny guzzled a bottle of juice as I leaned back and smiled. After this, we were going swimming. I wanted Danny to get used to being in the water, and I’d like him to learn how to swim at an early age. Not like my dad, who’d thrown Keith and me both in a lake and yelled sink or swim.

I laughed at the memory and looked at Danny.

The blood chilled in my veins as my boy grinned back. Danny’s two teeth had cut, and I could see them gleaming. What positively terrified me was the red dot on his stroller, which slowly moved and settled on my chest. In fear, I began panting and trying not to panic. A mom walked past and smiled, and Iwanted to call out, but my voice had frozen. Sweat rolled down my face after a few minutes.

A second person walked past.

“Take him,” I said. She looked at me in surprise. “Take my son and run.”

“What the hell, lady!”

“I’m Agent Willow Ware, look at my chest. Get my child and run!”

The woman glanced down and screamed. Before I knew it, she’d taken off running.

“Shit! You were meant to take Danny,” I cried. The red dot remained on my chest. I dare not move in case that triggered a shot. Minutes ticked by, and I began edging Danny closer. The dot flicked to the stroller again, and I froze and sat still.

Slowly, it moved back to me. Sirens wailed as the police neared. Someone had obviously phoned them. The moments seemed to stretch, and I could have sworn hours passed, but it was probably about ten minutes.

“Willow?” Lio called.

“Yeah, Lio.”

“Explain.”

“I’m in someone’s crosshairs. I move, the sight flicks to Danny,” I explained.

My hands were shaking as sweat kept tricking down my face. I wiped it away, and the dot flicked to Danny and back again. I jammed my hands down and stayed still.

“Stay calm, Willow,” Lio called.

“Ain’t got much choice, Lio.”

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