Page 73 of A First Sight

“Is this just a prank, or is there an actual bomb?” I asked.

The cop gave me a sharp look. “You need to go, sir.”

I nodded and followed his directions, crossing the street where several of my neighbors were waiting near a couple of uniformed officers.

“I need to ask for anyone who might have seen something suspicious to come over and make a statement.” The officer raised her voice above all the other noises.

I had hardly been around the last month, spending so much time at work. I wouldn’t be of any help.

Maybe it was because I just didn’t like the fucker, but Dale’s name was imprinted in my brain. The idea of him finding out my home address wasn’t far-fetched.

With that in mind, I approached the officer and told him about the fight with Dale, as well as the comments he’d made when I helped Maggie get her things back. Finally, I mentioned what happened to my car two days ago.

The cop’s face was unreadable, so I didn’t know if he thought I was grasping at straws.

Then, as I stepped away, I realized if I was right and Dale was incensed enough to call in a bomb threat, then Maggie could be in real danger.

I looked at my watch. Maggie had a performance tonight and was probably already at the concert hall. She had more than enough to stress about right now, and if I were wrong about Dale, I would worry her for nothing. But if I was right and something happened, I would never forgive myself.

Maggie might not like it, but I needed to see with my own eyes that she was okay. And I knew exactly how.

Taking out my phone, I made the first of several calls. I had a busy few hours ahead of me, starting with getting a ticket to tonight’s concert.

Maggie would be there. I just hoped she wouldn’t hate me for showing up.

FIFTY-FOUR

MAGGIE

Stretched tighterthan any stringed instrument, I was exhausted as I walked off the stage after the concert. All I wanted was, go home, take a hot shower, and then bed. But before leaving, I had to make sure Irene didn’t need me for anything.

A quick scan around backstage told me she wasn’t here, so I made my way to the front lounge area, where she and Nehemiah met with patrons after concerts.

In the hall, a familiar face stopped me cold. There, only a few feet away, was Drake.

What thehellwas he doing here? He’d promised to give me my space.

A tall, gray-haired man was talking to Drake as I approached.

“Hi.” I smiled at the stranger. “You don’t mind if I borrow Mr. Mac Gilleain, do you?”

“Of course not, Miss McCrae.” He gave me a slight bow. “Might I first say how much I enjoyed your performance tonight? You’re quite talented.”

“Thank you.”

A moment later, I grabbed Drake’s arm and dragged him into an alcove.

“What are you doing here?” I hissed.

“I have a good reason. After the call last night, I worried about you. I wanted to be certain you were okay.”

My eyes narrowed. He wasn’t telling everything. “I’m tired of being lied to, Drake. And don’t give me some excuse about protecting me. You said in your letter you were sorry for deceiving me. Prove it and tell me the truth.”

He looked down. “Aye, you’re right. That wasn’t the whole truth. Something happened.” He glanced around as if checking the area. “Several things, actually. Thursday, I almost bumped into Dale leaving a restaurant as I was walking in. Twenty minutes later, when I came out, my car was totally smashed up.”

My jaw dropped.

“And then, this afternoon, someone called a bomb threat at my building.”

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