Page 48 of Out on a Limb
But still.
A dim glow barely brightened one of the windows of the small building, pulling me to it. I crouched down to peek just above the sill, watching as Collette sifted through the contents of Alan’s desk. She shined the small flashlight in her hand onto paper after paper, before sliding them back where they were found.
Suddenly she froze, eyes fixed on one as she scanned it slowly.
Then she crammed it into her purse.
Then another one.
Then another one.
Soon she was shoving in paper after paper, her moves getting more frantic with each one. Whatever she saw had to be bad.
A sound in the distance caught my attention.
It was a car door closing.
I tipped my head toward the lot, holding my breath as I listened.
The click of the lock on the gate sent my feet moving, racing toward the door to the office. I yanked it open.
Collette gasped loudly, one hand going to her chest.
“Come on. Someone’s here.” I reached her way, grabbing her arm as soon as she was within reach, and pulling her out of the building before quietly closing the door.
Collette fumbled the flashlight she’d been using, her fingers struggling to turn the tiny keychain light off. I grabbed it with one hand, fingers clamping around it as I dragged her around the corner of the building, pressing my back to the wall as I held her against me, managing to make it out of sight just as a set of footsteps tapped along the walkway leading to the building.
I held her tight, her back to my front as the footsteps got closer.
The beginning of another gasp barely cleared her lips before I clamped my free hand over them, smothering it off just in time.
The lights in the office flashed on, glaring through the window less than two feet from where we stood, illuminating the space around us.
We were trapped.
I slowly tilted my head down, moving my lips close to her ear. “Just stay as still as you can.”
Her head barely tipped in a nod.
The sound of drawers slamming carried out into the silence. Soon it was joined by sharp swearing in a familiar voice.
Alan.
My eyes lowered to the bag strapped across Collette’s body. I was willing to bet whatever Alan was looking for was in that bag.
The lights went out, making the dark seem darker, and the door to the offices slammed shut.
“Nosy little bitch.” Alan’s steps were fast and loud as he moved toward the front of the property.
I held Collette a minute longer, just to be sure it was safe before I relaxed my grip and dropped my hand.
She spun to face me. “That was Alan.”
“Seems like.” I cupped both hands around her flashlight, buffering the glow as I switched it off.
“Was he talking about me?” She was breathing fast, making her whispered words choppy.
“I don’t know.” I could make an educated guess, but it would only upset her more, and right now I needed her to be calm.
