Page 17 of Backdraft
She gave me a peculiar look. "That's the strangest question. Why would you differentiate between home and a permanent home?"
"Maybe because I've never had a permanent one." I laughed and then clammed up when the image of Taylor invaded my thoughts. I dug into my bag for a napkin when I saw the envelope someone left at the front desk.
“What’s that?” Shannon tilted her head so she could see the handwriting on the front.
“You tell me.” I handed her the envelope. She looked at it, holding it like it might contain anthrax or something.
“Have you looked inside?”
I shook my head. “It was left at the front desk, and I forgot it was in my bag until now.”
She carefully opened the envelope and peered inside. “Drea, this is creepy. It says, I’m watching you, and you’ll never see me.” She dropped the envelope with a little yelp. “What the hell! You have to call the police.” She pushed the envelope back to me.
“Holy shit.” I wasn’t sure what to do. It freaked me out. “Nothing more has happened since I got it, and I forgot about it until now.”
“I think you really need to tell the cops.” She looked around the bar.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for a cop,” she said and then waved her arm.
“Oh, come on. Not here.” I didn’t want to discuss it with anyone other than Shannon right now.
A guy rose from a table and came over. “Hey, Shannon, fancy meeting you here.” He had a nice smile.
“Trev, it’s been a while. Sorry to intrude on your evening, but I’d like you to give your opinion to my friend here. This is Andrea. She’s the new fire marshal.”
“How are you?” He reached to shake my hand. “What can I help you with?”
“Nothing really.” I shot Shannon a look and reached for the envelope, but she was quicker than me and snatched it.
“This. Someone left this at the front desk of her hotel.”
Trev frowned. He looked at the front and then gingerly opened the envelope to look inside.
I groaned.
“See, he’s cautious too.” Shannon raised her eyebrows to drive the point home.
“Whatever,” I said under my breath.
“Your room number?” he asked, pointing to the number on the front.
“Yes.”
“Nothing else? No more notes or anything to alarm you?”
“No, nothing.”
“I’m off duty now, but you should file a report just so it’s on record.”
“See! I told you.” Shannon was proud of herself for being right.
“Really?” I wasn’t impressed.
“Yes, better safe than sorry.” Trev put it down on the table.
“But what can you do? Nothing, right?” I challenged him.
