Page 124 of The Last Close Call

Anderson had gone through this gate. Jack was certain of it. So, was he in this yard now?

The wind gusted, and Jack took advantage of the noise to muffle the sound as he pushed the gate open a few more inches. Sucking in his breath, he squeezed through the opening.

He was in someone’s backyard now. No porch lights, but light streamed through a kitchen window, spilling onto a back patio surrounded by empty planters. The home was a brick one-story with an attached garage, and Jack eyed the overgrown hedge that lined the back of the house.

Was Anderson back here?

Jack crept around the garage, taking care not to bump the trash cans as he emerged in a side yard near the driveway. Another gate there stood wide open.

Jack’s pulse jumped as he stared at it.

Wide open. He was setting up exits for himself.

Jack walked through the gate, checking the bushes along the driveway. The garage was closed, and a white Mazda was parked in the drive. Based on the pink namaste bumper sticker, Jack guessed the car belonged to a woman.

A flagstone path connected the driveway to the front door. Jack stood on the driveway, looking around. He spied Bryan’s car parked down the street.

Jack tucked his gun back into his holster and approached the front door. The bluish light of a television flickered behind the blinds in the front room.

He rang the doorbell. And waited.

The porch light went on, and Jack pulled out his badge and held it up to the peephole.

The door swung open, and a woman stood there, wide-eyed with alarm. She wore reindeer pajamas and had her hair up in a towel.

He held up his badge again. “Evening, ma’am. I’m Detective Jack Bruner.”

A little dog came scurrying around the corner, yapping.

“Pumpkin, no.” She reached down and scooped the poodle into her arms.

“Sorry to bother you.” He tucked his badge away. “We had a report of a prowler in the area and wanted to check to see if you heard any disturbances?”

“A... what now?”

“Have you heard any noises, possibly in your backyard?”

“No.”

“Has your dog there been barking at all, maybe alarmed about anything in the last half hour or so?”

“No.” She hugged the dog closer to her chest. “Who reported the prowler?”

“Ma’am, are you alone here in the house?”

“Yes. My husband is in Houston tonight.”

Jack’s pulse picked up.

“Would you mind if I took a look around the backyard, ma’am?”

“Not at all. You want to go through the house or—”

“I’ll go through the gate. Please check your door locks and make sure they’re secure.”

He left her staring after him with her dog clutched in her arms.

Jack strode back around the house, cataloging everything he knew. This woman’s gates were open. She was home by herself. Her husband was out of town.

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