Page 6 of Jurassic Measures
He nodded and fast forwarded to later in the evening. He paused a few minutes before I explained I heard the noise.
At first we couldn’t see anything then…
“What’s that?” I asked when we could see what looked like a tail maybe? It was too long.
“I can’t be sure. Do you have working lights out the back?”
“No, we never go out there but I can have them installed. It won’t help you now unfortunately.”
“Could be an alligator or a crocodile,” the officer said but when he looked at me, he obviously saw from my expression how ridiculous that sounded. “Just saying.”
“So weird.” I stared as the video kept going but we never saw anything else.
“Mr. McPherson, I can go speak with Mr. Astor and see if he was in the area this evening, but there’s nothing on the video that indicates this was him.”
I sighed, knowing he was right. “No, he was excitable but you’re right, why would a billionaire taunt me for a suit and a meal.”
“Maybe call a locksmith to take a look at your lock as well. They’d be able to tell if it was tampered with, if not it could be faulty in which case you should get it replaced.”
“Will do, officer. Thank you.”
“I’ll also contact animal control to do a sweep of the area. If it’s an animal they’ll find it.”
“Thank you, officer.”
The police stayed until I locked up…again and walked me to my car. They informed me that a police officer would periodically patrol the street and keep an eye on the shop that evening.
I just wanted to go home, have some tea, and read in my favorite chair for as long as it took for me to forget this frightful evening.
CHAPTER THREE
When I wokethe next morning, I felt refreshed, like the night before never happened. Perhaps it was the sun beaming through the window, the fact I was snug in my bed, or the aroma of fresh coffee…wait a second.
I flung the covers back, shoved my feet into my slippers, and rushed down the stairs. I never set up my pot last night, choosing to grab coffee and bagels from Baha Bakery across from work this morning. It would be easier to tell Amber about what happened when she had carbs and coffee in hand.
I turned the corner ready to…I don’t know, when I came face to face with my parents and…
“Landry?”
“Good morning, Son.” My mother, a tiny woman with graying brown hair and twinkling green eyes, handed me my mug. She was plump and perfect and for a moment I got lost in her smile. It was the same smile that always reminded me I was loved.
“Morning, Mom.”
“Jason. Sleeping in today?” My father sat at the breakfast bar beside Landry who…why was he here?
“No. I don’t have to be in for another hour. Why are you all in my home?”
“You know how I’m up early, Son.” My dad shrugged. “I went to collect my morning paper and I know your mom loves the croissants at that bakery by the shop. So, I went over there and saw a cop car in front of the shop. I asked the officer what was going on, told him who I was, and he mentioned there was a possible animal attack or whatever the word he used was.” He stopped talking like that explained everything.
“So you came here? With a stranger?” I gestured to Landry who was smiling and swiveling his head looking all around.
Mom giggled. “Your father said he bumped into him by the shop and Landry here said he was a new customer and was sorry to hear what happened. You know your father, Landry is new in town and well…” She shrugged.
“It’s too early for this. Thank you for the coffee, Mom. Dad, the shop is fine, just some animals likely knocking over trash bins so nothing to worry about, and, Landry, did you share with my parents how we really met?”
Landry stopped his perusal of my home when I said his name and smirked. “What’s there to tell? I asked for suits.”
I sighed and placed my mug down. “Dad, Mom, Landry here came into the shop demanding I make him suits but my calendar is full, so Amber explained I couldn’t, he got huffy, and then decided to ask me out to dinner.”
