Page 75 of Burn Falls
“I’m fine. If I didn’t have to work the rest of this week, I’d leave now. I’m all packed.”
“I can’t wait until you return. Ted is drowning in paperwork and he could really use your help.”
“You’ve seen him?”
“He comes over every night and has dinner with me.”
“That’s good.” I was relieved Ted was keeping an eye on her.
“It is, but he’s not your father.”
“Of course not.” I smiled tightly and nodded a little. No one would ever be like my father.
“I miss him every day, Calla.”
“Me too.” We were silent for a few seconds before I went on. “Can you do me a favor?”
“What’s that?”
“Can you not invite any strangers into the house?”
“What? Why would I invite strangers in?”
“I don’t know.” I sighed. “Just anyone coming door to door at night.”
“At night?”
“Even if it’s a trooper saying he’s working on Dad’s case. Just make sure you know them before you invite them in.”
“Why would I not let the troopers in?”
“There shouldn’t be any new ones on his case, right? And I’m worried about you being all alone. We still don’t know why dad was attacked.”
“I know, it doesn’t make sense, and the troopers keep telling me they have no leads. They think it was someone on drugs who was just passing through.”
“I wish I could remember what he looked like.” Though from what I knew now, it wouldn’t matter to the troopers. Draven and Athan would need to handle the vampire if we ever figured out who it was and the case would never be closed.
“Don’t blame yourself, Calla. There’s nothing any of us could do. Maybe someone was trying to rob your father? We might never know, but the entire town is aware and constantly watching.”
The entire town had been on alert since the moment my father was attacked because that had never happened in Burn Falls. Everything and everyone who was a stranger and appeared suspicious was being reported to the troopers.
“I know. Just don’t invite strangers in at night, okay? And stay home until I get back and know you’re safe.”
“I can’t live my life cooped up in this house.”
“I’m not saying you should. Just go out during the day.”
“You’re starting to scare me.”
I took a deep breath. “Good.”
“Good?”
“I’m just worried aboutwhyDad was attacked. Maybe it was just someone passing through, but let’s keep looking over our shoulder just in case. I need to get back to work,” I went on. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Bye, sunshine. Talk to you tomorrow.”
When I got home from work, I ate dinner and waited for the sun to fully set. Once it did, Draven was at my door.
