Page 18 of Shadowed Witness

A wave of lightheadedness hit, but he gave her no time to linger. Wrenching her hands behind her, he shoved something hard against her back and marched her out of the bedroom. The night-light she kept plugged into the hallway outlet was out. Everything was dark other than the weird green glow that seemed to be following them now. What was that?

She stumbled as they entered the living room. The tight grip he had on her wrists kept her upright but wrenched her shoulders. A small cry escaped her lips, and the hard object dug into her spine.

“None of that, remember?” His hard whisper cut through the air.

“I’m . . . sorry,” she gasped.

Without responding, he propelled her toward the front door. The pressure against her spine lifted, and she caught a glimpse of a gun as he reached around her for the knob. Cool night air greeted them as he opened the door and pushed her through. It snicked shut behind them, cutting off the green light.

She quickly cast her gaze around the area—unsure whether to hope for someone to try to rescue her or hope there wouldn’t be anyone around to be put in danger. No lights shone from any of her neighbor’s houses, and as far as she could see without her glasses, no one was out and about. Maybe that was for the best, but she couldn’t help the despair that rose in her as her captor prodded her onward.

When they reached the edge of the porch, he abruptly turned her back toward the house. Without warning, he released her wrists and shoved her forward. She fell flat, unable to catch herself. Quickly, she rolled to her back, expecting a new attack.

But he wasn’t there. Grabbing a nearby patio chair, she hauled herself upright and searched the semidarkness. Movement partway down the street caught her eye as a dark, blurred figure blended with the shadows. Then he was gone.

She sank into the chair. What just happened? Had he gotten spooked?

But there still didn’t seem to be anyone about. A breeze ruffled her hair, and she shivered. The movement kicked her brain into gear. He’d let her go, but she was still outside and exposed. He could come back at any moment.

Springing to her feet, she launched toward the door and wrenched the knob. Locked.

Locked?

She tried again, twisting and pushing with all her might. Nothing budged. Something out in the yard snapped, and she spun to face it. The movement triggered a burst of dizziness, and shebraced herself against the uncooperative door. She didn’t see anything. No returning captor or any other threat.

But she couldn’t stay out here. Nor could she get inside. And she didn’t have her phone.

She had to get help. Surely the danger to other people was past if he’d chosen to leave, right? Before she could talk herself out of it, she scurried down the few porch steps.

The cold grass was damp beneath her bare feet as she crossed the yard to the other side of the duplex, where her best friend had lived before marrying Bryce. The new tenants had only recently moved in, but Allye had met them on a few occasions. They’d help her until the police arrived.

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER,Allye was stationed on her neighbors’ living room couch with a much-too-large, borrowed hoodie swallowing her. She’d spent a lot of time here during the two years Corina had lived next to her, but even if she hadn’t, the place would feel familiar as it was basically a mirror image of her side of the building. She could use some familiarity at the moment.

Shannon Howard offered her a cup of hot cocoa. Allye accepted it gratefully, wrapping her hands around the mug and willing the warmth to seep into her. “Thank you. I’m so sorry I had to wake you up.”

Her neighbor waved a hand at her. “Stop apologizing. I would be horrified if you were in trouble and didn’t ask for help. It’s bad enough something like that happened next door, and I didn’t hear a thing. Besides, like I said earlier, I’d only just gone to bed. I wasn’t asleep yet, and Cornell is on night shift this week. Is there anyone else you want to call while we wait on the police?”

Allye glanced at a clock. She couldn’t make out the time withouther glasses, but that didn’t matter. Even though Shannon had still been awake, it had to be late. Bryce and Corina would be in bed. Her mom too. She shook her head. She’d get a lecture or two ... or three, for not contacting them right away, but there was nothing they could do. Someone might as well get sleep tonight—and it didn’t look like she would.

Police lights flashed outside the window. They were finally here. Allye started to rise.

“I’ll let them in,” Shannon said. “You stay right there.”

She sank back into the cushions. She should greet the officer herself, but the ordeal had drained her more than she was willing to admit.

“She’s in here, Officer.” Shannon beckoned him in. Allye nearly groaned when Officer Moore cleared the doorway.

His gaze immediately landed on her, and he stepped closer. “Ms. Jessup, I hear you’ve had another incident?”

“Someone broke into my house.” She’d already told the dispatcher that, but she had no idea what had been relayed to him.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Were you there?”

“Yes. I was in bed.” She went through the details of what happened, hoping she wasn’t forgetting anything important. As she talked, Moore’s eyebrows drew together, but he didn’t look up from the tablet he was taking notes with.

“Sounds like something spooked him,” he said when she got to the end.

“I suppose? I didn’t see anyone around, but that’s the only thing that makes any sense.”

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