Page 22 of Shadowed Obsession

She yawns before saying, “I know, but you have a life.”

When I release her, she trudges down the hallway for the guest room.

“All I do is work, Mari. I’ll pick you up next time you work a double,” I call after her.

“Fine. I’m going to go—” she attempts to say over her shoulder, another yawn cutting off her sentence.

I smile to myself with a shake of my head.

“Get some sleep. I love you. Let me know if you need anything.” With my keys in my hand, I open my front door to head out.

“Be safe. Love you, too,” she mumbles just before I shut the door behind me.

I’m headed to meet with another client about a new assignment. Fingers crossed it’s an open and shut case, because I am desperate for something normal lately.

Speaking of normal, it’s not normal for me to have Doe’s camera feed playing as entertainment on the road, but I am curious what music or audiobook she’s starting her day off with.

Today’s selection is a Kiwi Music playlist of New York hip-hop classics. The best part is her shouting out the lyrics to “Clan In Da Front” by Wu-Tang Clan while applying her makeup in her bedroom. For someone who doesn’t know she’s currently being watched, she sure puts on a show.

She spritzes her face and removes the pins from her hair before she starts looking around. She’s likely searching for her phone. She loses it several times a day, and it’s never more than six feet away from her every time. After retracing her steps, she finds it hiding on her bed beneath her dressing robe and begins typing a message. To my surprise, my phone lights up with her name.

1 unread message from Doe.

Doe

No good morning text today?

You’re slacking on your job.

Well, good morning to you too.

Kissing your ass isn’t my job btw.

Sleep well?

Doe

I didn’t, but when do I ever?

Good thing it isn’t your job. You’d suck at it.

Wanna bet?

No. I have a question though.

I might have an answer.

Doe

Do you have cameras in my house?

The question gives me pause as I weigh the options between being honest or not. Because I see no benefits to being honest, I say what I must.

No.

Doe

So, it’s only the bug mics?