Page 30 of Eldritch

Concern propelled her, and when they exited the front door, she half expected the man to either come up to them or she’d see him walking away in the distance. They looked all around the front, then made a circuit of the house.

Nothing. As they stood back at the front door, she shook her head. “That was weird. Did I see what I thought I saw?”

Doug crossed his arms. “What did you think you saw?”

She lifted one eyebrow. “That sounds like a police officer questioning someone.”

He gave her a warm, engaging smile. “Sorry. Old habit.”

She said, “That’s okay. I get it. He was a middle-aged man with dark hair, receding hairline with a droopy long mustache and a suit that looked like something from the late Victorian era. And he looked petrified.”

“That’s what I saw. But I’ll be damned if I know why a man would walk around outside in Victorian clothing.”

“Thank God. I mean...” How much did she tell him? “There are a few weird things that have happened around here. That’s why Clarice wanted to hire you.”

“Yeah, she mentioned that, but she didn’t say what the weird things were. Do you mind telling me? I mean, it might help me make sure exactly what system you need. And if there are guys dressed in Victorian costumes lurking around...”

He looked puzzled, then a little more concerned.

“What are you thinking?” Apprehension rolled over her.

He looked around again. “I’m not sure. My cop senses are on alert. This whole situation is making me think there’s a lot I didn’t hear from Clarice. So I think I’d like to hear it from you.”

“Well…where to start. We haven’t been here long, and weird stuff started happening right away.” She sighed. “Would you like something to drink? I mean something hot.” She rubbed her arms, suddenly cold.

“Sounds good.”

Once in the kitchen, she made coffee, and within a short time, they enjoyed the hot brew.

“Like I said, I don’t know where to start.” Sybil sipped her beverage and leaned against the kitchen counter. Awkwardness and uncertainty crept into her, as well as the perception that everything had slowed down and couldn’t be quite real. “But I’m glad you saw that guy, or I would’ve thought I was crazy.”

Doug took a drink from his own coffee as he stood next to the refrigerator. “Yeah...like you said, that was weird.”

He looked stern, and she noted the soldier and the cop combined inside him. Those deeply intense green eyes caught hers and held. His appearance had changed little from his military photograph. Well, the ladies were right. If he had long hair, he’d be Thor personified. Although she stood five feet eight inches tall, he was at least six four, and she felt tiny whenever she stood next to him. It was obvious from his build that he worked out.

She pulled her attention back to the subject at hand. She gave him the entire story, up to and including her door opening itself, and added on the bit about the sheriff’s deputy investigating the house twice. She looked at his face the whole time, sure she’d pick up something about what he was thinking. When she couldn’t, it disturbed her.

You are too nosy.

Her father’s voice rang in her head. Something he used to say to her often when she asked questions he didn’t want to answer. Of course...now she knew why her father hadn’t answered them. Why her mother’s questions had gone unanswered. Until they’d discovered the ultimate reason, he hadn’t told them the truth. Her stomach tossed a little, remembering how her parent’s actions had imprinted on her so thoroughly they still had control over her.

“You okay?” he asked, his eyes narrowed a little.

She sighed. “God, I’m sorry. I started thinking about something and drifted off in that direction.”

His intent gaze said he wanted to understand, too. “What were you thinking, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“My father used to say I was too nosy. That I’m always looking for the answers to things. He told me once I might be a good cop. But I only want to figure out the answers. Not chase people in police cars. I want to know all the things. He once told me he hated that about me.”

He frowned. “Hated it? That’s…”

“Awful, right?”

“I sense there’s more to that story.”

She nodded. “Yes.”

A smile lit up his face. “I’m happy to talk about it with you someday if you want. Take it from a former cop. Maybe forensics would’ve been an excellent career for you.”

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