Page 25 of The Last Good Man

Is he serious?

I can’t not notice the hint of psychopathic threat in his tone. It’s like being wrapped in a dark story with a crazy stalker.

What if he’s crazy?

He’s seeing my shrink, isn’t he?

Oh, forget about what he said.

She’s not a psychiatrist. She’s a clinical psychologist with a PhD.

Ohh… He can get on my nerves.

I forget about the car and the smell of burning tires when my phone rings.

Thomas is on the phone with his neighbor, or maybe the cops––it’s hard to tell––when I notice the name flashing across my phone screen.

He lives up to his name.

He is impossible.

I’m tempted not to take his call when I realize the noise has stopped, and I’m itching to find out if he’sreallybehind the mayhem outside.

I tap the screen and answer with my phone pressed to my ear.

“Yes. Who is this?” I say so I won't have to give Thomas an explanation about why the noise outside might have to do with me.

Now, that’s a crazy idea.

The good thing is Thomas pays no attention to me while I swallow hard, waiting for an answer.

“Hello?” I ask again, annoyed with the silence at the other end of the line.

“What did I tell you, babe?”

His nasal voice makes my skin prickle.

A thrilling mix of fear, annoyance, and anticipation sweeps through me.

I’m not used to being stalked.

His vibrantandthick voice echoes in my ear as if hestands beside me withhis lips pressed against my skin.

It’s low and raspy as if he didn’t get a wink of sleep.

I realize I might have a problem with this man as he seems serious about his claims.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, sir?

“Sir?”

He laughs so hard that I crunch over my phone and shiftin my seatto turn my back to Thomas so he can’t hear him.

“I’m sorry, I don’t hear you very well,” I say, noticing that Thomas has ended his conversation and the street is still quiet.

“You hear me very well, babe. Don’t let that man touch you, or his problems will burden your conscience.”

“His problems?”

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