Page 87 of I'm Watching You

Chapter Nineteen

Wednesday, July 9, 5:30A.M.

Lindsay woke with a stiff neck and a dull headache throbbing behind her eyes. She’d spent the better part of the night tossing, turning, until finally around threeA.M.she’d fallen into a fitful sleep. She dreamt of eyes watching her.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed, shoved her hands through her tangled hair, and glanced at the clock. With a groan, she pushed out of bed and walked to the pile of running clothes by her door. Most mornings, she ran or did yoga. Physical exertion had a way of resetting the barometer in her body no matter how messed up life felt.

Today, she didn’t need quiet meditation. She needed to sweat, to push her muscles until they burned, and to have endorphins flooding her brain.

She dressed in jogging shorts and a tank and slipped on running shoes. Combing her fingers through her hair, she swept her thick blond strands into a high ponytail and moved quietly into the kitchen. She didn’t want to wake Nicole, who was an extremely light sleeper.

The coffeepot, always set for 5:45A.M.,was full of hot coffee. She poured a cup and sipped as she moved to the small table by the bed, where she kept her cell phone on acharger next to her house key. She glanced out the front window and searched for the morning paper. It hadn’t arrived. Frustrated, she took a few more sips of coffee and then hooked the phone to her waistband. She did a few stretches to loosen up her muscles.

Lindsay had a running buddy, Tasha Winters, and the two met near the University of Richmond on Wednesdays at Bandy Field, a small park inside the city limits. They started their workout with a few laps around the park’s large open sports field, and then they cut through either surrounding neighborhoods or the university campus.

She arrived at the park a couple of minutes past six and found Tasha stretching. Tasha was in her late twenties, petite, and had a tight muscular build. She reminded Lindsay of a pixie – a term Tasha hated. Too many people underestimated Tasha because of her small size, and all were surprised to learn she was a cop and a member of Henrico County’s canine unit.

Rex, Tasha’s Belgian shepherd, sat next to her, quietly waiting, watching, and ready to spring if she gave the command. The two had passed their twelve-week training course just six months ago and already they were inseparable. Rex was trained to find explosives.

Tasha saw Lindsay and waved. ‘Happy birthday.’

She’d forgotten her own birthday. ‘Thanks.’

‘You look like hell.’

Lindsay shrugged. ‘It’s been one of those years.’

‘Tell me on the trail. We’ve got to get cracking. I’ve got to be at headquarters by nine.’

‘Right.’ The two started off at a slow jog moving aroundthe dirt path that circled the mile-long trail that cut through the park. Even after a mile Lindsay’s muscles didn’t relax. Normally during a run, this was when she hit her stride.

Tasha picked up her pace a notch, knowing Rex liked the workout. ‘So, what’s up?’

Lindsay struggled to match Tasha’s gait. ‘Do you want the long version or the short?’

‘We’ve got five miles to go. How about the long?’

‘Zack.’

‘Ah.’ Tasha had worked with both Lindsay and Zack and knew their history. ‘Is he investigating the homicide at the shelter?’

‘He’s one of the detectives on the case.’

‘So how did it go seeing him?’

‘Very weird. I don’t see him for a year and now he’s everywhere I turn.’

Tasha frowned. ‘This can’t be good.’

‘We went out to lunch yesterday. He took me to his parents’ restaurant.’

‘And?’ Tasha didn’t sound happy. She’d consoled Lindsay after the separation. She’d watched Lindsay cry until she was nearly sick.

‘It felt very odd.’

‘Sounds like you’re having doubts about the divorce.Again.’

‘No, I’m not. I need to finalize this.’

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