Page 29 of In Dangerous Water

Chauncey pulled a key ring from his pocket. “How about we go and take a tour of the carriage house apartment?”

“I’d love to,” I said.

***

After touring the charming interior of the carriage house, I signed the paperwork for a two-month lease. The rent was very reasonable—probably well below what they could have rented it out for—but I didn’t quibble. Instead, I was thankful.

By the time I went back to the village with Arianna later that afternoon, we’d already worked out that Rafe would drive me back to Alton and the aquatic center so I could pick up my car that night. After I got my car, I would zip back home and pack.

While Rafe drove me back to Alton, I took the opportunity and visualized addingmorelayers to the psychic shields I habitually maintained—even when around my own sisters.

Going home would be like walking a gauntlet. I would need every bit of protection I could get from their emotions and worry. I knew they loved me, as I did them, but still, my empathy was more often than not a disadvantage. Especially for a woman who struggled with anxiety.

There were no other cars in the lot when he dropped me off; and I was relieved to see that the center was quiet. For safety, Rafe waited while I started my car and then backed out of the parking spot. Feeling calmer and in control, I followed him outand gave him a wave in thanks. He left for Ames Crossing, and I drove back to the hill.

As I’d anticipated, all three of my sisters all descended on me as soon as I walked in the door. They weren’t happy about me not contacting them after the incident at the aquatic center, not telling them about the break-up with Tim, and disappearing.

“I know that Grandma Althea talked to you...” I began, but that was cut off by a bombardment of sisterly outrage and concern.

After a few minutes of non-stop haranguing, I snapped and shouted at them all to shut up; for me that was out of character. They were startled into silence by my outburst, and finally I was able to tell them my plan to relocate temporarily.

It was Skye who broke the ensuing awkward silence by agreeing that it was a smart move.

“When?” she asked. “When will you go, Cordy?”

“Immediately,” I said. “I plan to be on the road first thing in the morning.”

Brynn stepped forward and enfolded me in a big hug. “I’m so sorry that this is happening to you. How can we help?”

“You can help me pack,” I told her. “I’ve got a lot to do in a short amount of time.”

In the end, Kenna gave me some cardboard boxes that she used to transport bread in, so I could pack my belongings. Brynn and Skye rolled up their sleeves and helped me pack my clothes and a few necessities, and they all promised to keep my new location as private as possible.

However, the rest of my evening did not go as easily as I’d hoped for. Of course there was the police to deal with, and there was also my coaching job.

Austin had called while I’d been packing, and he informed me that there were no leads on the attacker. Whoever they were, they had slipped in under the view of the security cameras—which admittedly were not the most cutting edge. While the police department was pursuing all angles of the case, Austin was now very concerned for my safety and agreed with my plan to relocate temporarily.

No sooner had I finished that conversation, when the manager of the aquatic center called. He had spoken to the police about the center being closed for the time being,andI’d been placed on administrative leave for the foreseeable future. I was told it was to keep the press away—the local news had been having a field day apparently. But the leave was also to help protect my privacy and to ensure the safety of the students.

Still, he’d been kind. Telling me to take a few weeks off and to decompress, assuring me that he would try and deflect the press, and that my job would be here waiting for me, as soon as things settled down.

I tried not to take the ‘administrative leave’ thing personally, but it still hurt. In the end I was feeling more than a little put upon, apprehensive, andparanoid, when I left the next day.

Leaving the hill at sunrise, I drove out of the neighborhood with my hair all bundled up under a baseball cap and wearing my sister’s mirrored sunglasses as a disguise.

“Cue theMission Impossibletheme music,” I muttered.

I was also driving a different car. At Skye’s suggestion, we swapped cars temporarily. Her gray two-door was unremarkable and would make me less noticeable. My sturdy VW Bug was too recognizable with its custom paint color of aqua blue.

After all, as Skye pointed out, she worked from home; my old car was more than adequate for any driving she might need to do around town.

To be on the safe side, I did not drive a direct route to Ames Crossing. Instead, I cruised back into Alton and the downtown morning traffic, hoping to confuse anyone who might be watching or following. After detouring through the suburbs, I hit a drive-thru for breakfast. I stopped and ate in the restaurant’s parking lot and felt relatively secure that I had not been followed—by the press or anyone else.

Keeping my ‘disguise’ in place, I made my way back to downtown Alton, checking my rear view off and on, before eventually turning down the river road towards Ames Crossing. My shoulders didn’t relax until I parked beside the carriage house.

Giving myself a moment to settle, I blew out a long breath, shut my eyes, and rested my head against the car seat.

“New beginnings,” I told myself.

---