Caffeine & Killers (Roasted Love Cozy 3)

I called softly again to Thor, and he reluctantly came inside with me. I double-locked the back door behind us.

Hands sweaty, I stood to the side of my kitchen window and looked out. I saw no one. Then I closed the curtain over the window, feeling like a prisoner in my own apartment.

Fumbling for my cell phone, I called Daniel. It rang and rang, even while my hands shook more and more. Finally, he answered. "Laila. What’s up?"

I told him what had happened out in the yard. "I didn’t see anyone, but I felt sure someone was out there watching me. Even Thor was on instant alert." I could hear my voice was starting to shake..

"Hang up and call the police right now. They already have you on record as having a stalker. I’m going to hang up and let you do that."

"Okay." I pressed the button and then punched 9-1-1.

In a matter of minutes, two policemen were at my door. They combed the backyard and the perimeter of my apartment building. Once they were satisfied with the report I gave them, they left with advice to secure my doors. They'd found nothing sinister outside and I had to be satisfied with that. Whoever it had been left no tracks to tell the cops anything of importance.

I called Daniel back to let him know what had happened – that the cops had found nothing.

"At least they have the report," said Daniel. "I’ll ask Chief Hayes if they can have someone patrol around your area for the next few days."

"Okay. Yeah, that sounds good." I couldn't help but feel relieved.

We talked a while longer until I realized Thor had not been fed yet. My appetite had vanished, but not his. I thanked Daniel and assured him I would be fine. Both doors were secure, as well as all the windows.

It wasn’t until almost nine that I remembered Linda Henson – but she would have to wait. I just wanted to relax for now.

At ten, Thor and I were ready to turn in when the phone rang. The caller I.D. showed "unknown." At first, I thought I wouldn't answer – I knew I shouldn't answer –

But I had to know. I couldn't sit here like a scared bunny rabbit. I just had to know.

I picked up the phone. "Hello."

"I see you didn’t play ball with your dog tonight," said the gravelly voice.

And then the phone went dead.

I hit the call back button, but got the message that the call could not be completed. Probably because it was blocked. I took a deep breath, hoping my heart would slow down, and then I turned the phone off.

I had a restless night until I finally fell asleep around three a.m. My alarm awoke me at seven, even though I wasn't scheduled at Roasted Love until eleven.

When I let Thor outside, I searched the area for any signs of my stalker. From the phone call, he had obviously been watching us.

But the early morning was quiet. Dew scattered like diamonds across the grass. I brought Thor back in and sat down in my kitchen to drink a strong cup of coffee.

> An hour later, I still had not taken my dog out for his usual brisk morning walk. I realized that I was allowing this creepy stranger to rule my routine and I started to feel more annoyed than scared.

Thor bounded toward the front door when I reached for his leash. I took him outside onto the sidewalk where life seemed perfectly normal. The other residents of the apartment building were getting into cars or were out walking. In the houses along the street, activity was going on as usual, too.

I breathed deeply and felt better. I had to do what I needed to do and not let some sleaze-bag criminal keep me prisoner.

When Thor and I returned home, my cell rang. I glanced at it, saw a regular phone number, and took the call.

"Laila, this is Linda Henson," said the voice. "I tried to find you the other day at Roasted Love but the server told me you weren’t working that day. Do you have a few minutes?"

I glanced quickly at my watch. "I have to be at work in about forty-five minutes. Do you have some information on what we talked about earlier?"

"I have something I think you'll be interested in hearing. I don’t want to tell you on the phone. Can we meet someplace?"

I thought for a minute. "No. Not today. It will have to be tomorrow. I work late today and I have plans for tonight."

Daniel didn't know it yet, but my plans were to see him. Linda and I agreed to meet the next afternoon at three, as soon as I was off work. We chose Sam’s Sandwiches for the meeting place.