Page 20 of Shadowed Witness

“Yes, but I’m okay. A couple bruises maybe, but he didn’t actually hurt me.” Scared about a decade off her life, but physically, he’d only been rough. He hadn’t injured her, even though he could have easily done so.

“Good.” He turned to Moore. “Status?”

Moore glanced from Eric to Allye and back and finally answered. “I just walked through the house. There’s no obvious point of entry. Nothing seems broken. Ms. Jessup was about to go back in with me and check for anything out of place.”

“Prints?”

The officer shrugged. “I took several samples, but the only place Ms. Jessup noticed him touch was the front doorknob—and there were no clear prints there.”

“How would there not be prints on the knob?” Allye interrupted. “I saw him grab it, and he didn’t wipe it clean after.”

“Things aren’t always as simple as TV makes it out to be.” Moore’s tone was bordering on patronizing. “And if he was wearing gloves—”

“He wasn’t. I saw his hand in my bedroom and when he reached for the door.” But then she remembered his touch. Against her face when he’d covered her mouth. Around her wrists. Her shoulders slumped.

“What?” Eric asked.

“It didn’t feel like skin. More like a smooth, tight-fitting material. I didn’t process that in the moment.”

“But it looked like skin?”

“Yes, but the lighting was so weird—maybe they were just light-colored gloves? Or the clear rubber ones.”

“Explain what you mean by weird lighting,” Moore broke back in.

“There was this ... green glow.”

Eric and Officer Moore exchanged looks.

“A green glow,” Eric repeated.

“Yes. It was ... odd. And it cut off once we got outside. But I don’t have anything in the house that would give off green light like that.” She spread her hands. “I don’t know where it came from.”

Another look passed between the men, then Moore cleared his throat. “Are you on any medications?”

“Am I what?” As she said the words, she understood his meaning. “No. I mean, I do take something for migraines, but nothing that would alter my mental status.” This couldn’t be happening. They didn’t believe her. Again. She crossed her arms. “I didn’t imagine this.”

Moore looked to Eric, and even without her glasses, Allye could see that the man was losing patience. Well, so was she.

“I. Didn’t. Imagine. It.” She started to sway, so she reclaimed her hold on the chair back.

“Ms. Jessup—”

“I can take things from here, Officer Moore,” Eric said. “Copy me on your report.”

“Glad to,” Moore muttered as he stalked off the porch.

“Honestly.” She’d never seen the man be so rude. Of course, she hadn’t interacted with him personally very often.

“You’re shaking. Are you sure you’re okay?” Eric’s quiet words helped calm her.

She took a deep breath and tightened her grip. “I’m good.” Okay, maybe that was a stretch, but for the moment, she was fine. She should probably sit though.

Eric didn’t look like he believed her, but he didn’t call her on it. “I need to hear the details of what happened. Would you be more comfortable inside?”

“That won’t contaminate evidence or anything?”

“Officer Moore’s already done his inspection. After you give me the details, we’ll do a walk-through together, but if you notice anything off when we enter the house, tell me right away and we’ll note it before proceeding.”

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