Page 2 of The Veteran

“Yes.” We ended the call.

My legs were so shaky I wasn’t sure I could move even if I wanted to. I pressed myself against the side of the building, hoping to keep out of sight. I was friendly with the neighbors but if they saw me and said something, they might summon the attention of the men over the fence. I stayed very still, listening intently for any further gunshots, but there were none. Finally, I heard the wail of sirens and slumped in relief. But then, to my horror, someone started shooting.

My heart sunk and tears sprang to my eyes. Somehow, I knew in my bones that once more, everything had gone terribly wrong.

1

8 YEARS LATER

SAGE

The semi-detached town house I now called home was silent as I approached, the front door ajar. I paused, a voice of caution whispering in the back of my mind. After what had happened when I was younger, followed by an incident with my best friend several months ago, I was wary of anything that looked out of place. I knew exactly what nightmares might be lurking out of sight.

I reached into my purse and wrapped my hand around the black tourmaline crystal I kept with me at all times for protection. I slipped it into my left hand and grabbed a can of mace with my right. I might believe in the protective energy of crystals, but I was also practical, and sometimes other means of defense were necessary.

“Jessica!” I called, wondering if my roommate was home and had simply left the door open by mistake. She was a painter and could be forgetful when inspiration struck.

There was no response.

Still, that didn’t mean she wasn’t here. She might have her headphones on and be listening to music while she worked. But when I stepped into the living room and saw the overturned coffee table, shredded couch cushions, and the hanging painting that had been sliced open, I felt another tingle of wrongness and backtracked out of the house.

On the street, there were enough people around for me to feel safe, so I returned the crystal and mace to my purse and withdrew my cell phone to call the police. After reporting what I’d seen to the dispatcher, I placed another call—to my best friend, Willow.

“Hey, Sage,” she said when she answered. “I didn’t think you’d be home from yoga class yet.”

“Willow.” My voice cracked on her name. “Someone has broken into my house.”

“Oh, no! Are they still there? Are you okay?” She sounded panicked, and oddly enough, that grounded me. After what Willow and I had been through together when her brother had fallen into debt with some bad people who’d tried to use her to make him pay, I knew she’d understand how shaky I was feeling.

“I think they’re gone,” I told her. “I saw the damage and left. I’m out by the street. I’ve already called the police.”

“Good,” Willow said. “Do you have any idea whether they took anything? It could have been a random robbery.”

“I don’t know.” I pressed my lips together as tears welled in my eyes. “I didn’t notice. I got out of there as fast as I could.”

“You did the right thing.” Willow’s tone was soothing and I pressed the phone closer to my ear. I hated the sense that my emotions were slipping out of control. I’d fought hard to manage them over the past few years and I was used to being the calm head in most situations. “I’m coming over,” Willow said. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Thanks, Will.” My lower lip trembled as we said goodbye and hung up. My heartbeat was thundering in my ears and my vision was slightly hazy in that way it got when I was freaking out. I grabbed a hold of a light pole and used it for support. I wouldn’t be any good to anyone if I keeled over.

I glanced at the time. Five minutes had passed since I spoke to the dispatcher. The police should be arriving any moment. I scanned the street, relieved to see flashing blue lights in the distance. They drew nearer and screeched to a halt in front of me, double parked. An officer leaped out and another police car appeared behind them.

“Sage Nichols?” the officer asked as she rounded the vehicle that separated her from the sidewalk.

“Yes, that’s me.” I waved toward the house. “It’s that one. I haven’t seen anyone come out or go in, but someone has definitely been inside.”

“Okay.” She nodded briskly and glanced up as another officer joined us. “Is there a rear exit?”

I nodded.

“Levens.” She gestured to the male officer. “Go around the back.” She turned to me. “Wait here.”

I nodded again. With my past, I knew to let the police do their thing. The female officer made her way to the front entrance, drawing her weapon, while her partner went around the exterior of the building. I tensed as they both disappeared out of sight, hoping against hope that I wouldn’t hear gunfire. Thankfully, all remained quiet except for the hum of vehicles. A moment later, the female officer exited the building, speaking into her radio. She lowered it as she neared me. Her gaze was shuttered, giving nothing away.

“Do you have a roommate?” she asked.

A trickle of apprehension wormed down my spine. “Yes. Why?”

She ignored my question. “Can you describe her?”

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