Page 15 of Deep Waters
“Less sweet,” Lucy added with a wry glance in my direction.
“Do you have something to share with the class, Rae?” Violet asked.
We’d been friends too long for me to lie. But it wasn’t a lie when I hadn’t sorted out the truth for myself.
“No comment.”
Vi let me slide on my non-answer, but she cast me a glance that said I’d pay for my evasiveness later.
By the time I drew up at the house after our morning hike, Hana had fallen asleep in the back seat, the sun and country roads having a soporific effect. I yawned. Indulging in a nap was moving higher on my to-do list too.
I juggled my mug and sling bag, digging for my keys. It would be easier to carry Hana to the couch if I unlocked the door first. Tae slid out of the front seat, closing his car door softly. I extended the house key, pausing when the door creaked open.
My heart stuttered. While locking up was a bit novel after living so long on a sailboat, I wasn’t careless. My hands had been full this morning too, but I distinctly remembered stowing my purse and mug in the front seat before coming back to lock up.
The door swung open easily now. Not locked. Not even closedproperly.
My shoulders tightened. I gripped the keys, making a fist.
“Tae. Go back to the car and sit with your sister please.”
Something about my urgent tone stalled the frown between his brows. I pulled my phone out with my opposite hand, dialing without looking. Zach picked up on the first ring.
“Everything okay, Dawkins?”
“Did you drop by the house after I left today? Possibly forget to lock up?” I asked.
“No. If the door is open, don’t go inside. Lock yourself in the car.”
“Maybe a neighbor dropped by?”
“Rae. Lock the damn doors.” Zach’s voice boomed from my phone. He’d never spoken to me with such authority before. I couldn’t decide if I liked it. “Rae. Are you safe?”
His prompt pushed me into action. I backed away from the door, sliding behind the wheel.
“I’m safe.”
“I’ll be right there. Sit tight.”
“What’s wrong?” Tae asked. “I thought we were going inside.”
“We’re going to wait for Zach first,” I said, trying not to betray my worry. The easiest explanation was that I’d forgotten to lock the door or shut it properly. A neighbor could have a key. But something about the way the wooden door swung spooked me.
A few minutes later, Zach parked beside me, hopping out of his truck and striding for the house. He pushed at the door, sliding inside.
“I’ll be right back,” I locked the car behind me to follow.
“Zach!” I called, stepping into the kitchen.
A shiver slid down my spine. Nothing looked amiss. But something still didn’t feel quite right. The sounds of footsteps echoed from the hall.
“Zach!” I called again. A frantic edge seeped into my voice.
He’d walked in, bold as you please, without a weapon in sight.
“Back here,” he called.
I rushed through the living room, noting that nothing seemed out of place. Tae’s game system lay undisturbed on the coffee table. Hana’s tablet sat on the couch. If someone had been looking for things to steal, they’d missed a few obvious options.
