Page 20 of Tinsel Time Treasure
I glanced over to his apartment. The lights were on in the living room. So why was he hiding on my patio?
I crouched, resting my arms on my knees and trying to be as non-threatening as possible.
“I don’t think we’ve officially met,” I said, trying to get past his fear. “I’m Max. You live in the apartment across the lot, right?”
He licked his lips and his breathing slowed. “Justin.”
“Nice to meet you Justin,” I replied in as even a tone as I could manage. I swallowed. “Are… are you ok?”
He studied me, and unconsciously rubbed his arms as he started shivering.
Why was he outside his apartment without a jacket? Why was he hiding on my patio? Something was very wrong.
I looked at his apartment again. He had a clear view of it from over the half-wall. Was he looking for something while hiding?
“It’s cold out here,” I stated. “Do you want me to bring you a jacket? Do you want to come inside?”
“Can I?” he whispered.
“Come inside?” I asked.
He nodded, eyes darting between the window that looked out onto the parking lot, then back to my face.
“Of course,” I replied. “I’ll even move a chair next to the window so you can keep an eye out.”
He released a shuddering breath and shifted from where he’d landed on his ass to crouching again.
I grabbed my bike from where I’d rested it against the wall, then opened my door. I held it open for Justin, who darted inside and stopped just inside, where he couldn’t be seen from outside.
Something was definitely wrong.
I wheeled my bike in and leaned it against the wall, then pulled a chair out from the table and set it next to the window.
Justin sat, but only edged the blinds aside to peer out, rather than opening them.
My stomach clenched at the motion. His actions reminded me so much of Grace when I’d first met her: always looking over her shoulder, hiding behind Annie, moving quickly to avoid being spotted.
I leaned against a wall, consciously giving Justin space. “I might be out of line,” I stated. “But…” I ran a hand through my hair. “Are you in danger? Do I need to call the police for you?”
Justin turned, and a bit of his fear seemed to slip away. He shook his head. “I… they’re already on the way.”
“Is that who you’re looking for?”
He nodded and turned back to the window.
“Can you tell me what happened?”
“My lights weren’t on when I left this morning.”
I blinked, then remembered that I’d noticed his lights on.
“Maybe management?” I asked.
He shook his head, eyes locked on his apartment. “I called the after-hours line. There was nothing in the records.”
“You’re worried there’s somebody in there.”
He let the single strip of blind that he’d been holding up drop. He nodded.
