Page 11 of The Midnight Order
“So, these papers are for you, and then…” Something shifts off in the woods behind him.
We’re behind the house, and the forest is thick and overgrown back here, but I don’t miss a streak of white when it moves.
Looking over the contractor’s shoulder, I focus as I swear I see a man in a mask looking back at me.
However, as fast as my brain catches up to what I’m looking at, he’s gone.
“Ma’am? Are you alright? I know it’s a lot of work, but we can do it a little at a time if you need to; there’s no need to get overwhelmed about it,” he says, attempting to soothe me.
I swallow over a growing lump in my throat. “Did you see something in the woods back there? Never mind, you were turned toward me; how could you have… I’m sorry. I had a long night, and I think my eyes are playing tricks on me.”
I give him my best smirk as he slowly turns, scanning the tree line, homed in like a hawk, before turning back toward me.
I notice all the color is gone from his face as he removes his glasses and hangs them on the collar of his shirt. “You know, you should get cameras and security installed while you’re at it, being how close you are to?—”
God, not him, too!
“Close to what? Please tell me. Everyone’s mentioned how close this house is to something god awful, but they never tell me what the hell it is.”
He looks at me with a look of concern. “Well, we rarely tell outsiders because they think we’re nuts, but being that you’re going to be living here and so close to it…” He sighs, looking around as if to shield us from prying ears when we’re the only two on my property. “Thorngray Manor is just across the woods from you, and you’re probably the closest property to it, to be honest. I told your aunt many times to give up this place and move into town, but she wouldn’t listen.”
“Dormund women aren’t afraid of anything,” I mutter. I’ve heard her say it a million times before.
He nods, a sad smile playing on his lips. “She was a character. God rest her soul.” He crosses himself, and the show of openfaith sends a tickle up my spine. “It was her demise, I’m sure of it.”
My brows tug together. “You think someone from the manor killed her?”
He stiffens, likely because of the bold way I’m speaking about my aunt’s death.
“One can never tell.”
“Did the police investigate that avenue?” I ask him, and he shifts uncomfortably on his feet.
“No one’s going to investigate anything that goes on in this town, honey,” he mutters, leaning closer. “And you’d best not make waves while you’re here. Trust me, the best way to survive Blackmoore is to keep your head down and your opinions to yourself.”
I’d usually scoff, but the way he said it sent fear skidding up my spine like a sack of snakes set loose.
Instantly, the imagery of the bird eating the snake, and how the bird looked at me on my way into town that first day, became vivid in my mind all over again.
“Anyhow,” he says, his tone back to kind and chipper, “I’ll be getting out of your hair. Here are your copies of the estimates, and I’ll call you and let you know when I can get the termite tenting on the books.”
“Thank you,” I say absently, reeling as he wanders off, whistling like the last ten minutes and the eeriest conversation of my life never happened.
City life is feeling worlds away the longer I’m here, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing.
“Ms. Dormund!”Karen calls out as she shoves my coffee across the counter.
Smiling brighter than I have in a long time, I sidle up and grab it, letting the warmth seep through my hands.
It’s rainy outside today, and that, along with the temperature, has me chilled to the bone.
“Thank you!” I tell her.
“Most welcome. I’m making a regular out of you yet.”
“You’ve honestly ruined me for other coffee. Just this morning, my usual favorite blend tasted like trash.”
She laughs, and something haunting flutters through her eyes. For a moment, it looks as if she’s sad. Reluctant, even.
