Page 44 of Embers of Torment

"When I was on the deck, this mega stinky rose scent lingered in the air. But when I leaned over the railing to check out the courtyard, the aroma from the garden below was different. It was way stronger where I was, and it was gross. It wasn't natural like the rose bushes on the patio. It was weird."

"You said it was more potent on the deck and unnatural. Was it more in line with something synthetic like perfume? For example, could it have been from someone wearing an overabundance of some fragrance?"

"I suppose if the person had drenched themselves with a super stinky and cheap brand. You know, like the kind you can find in some discount stores that pretend to be the real thing." I stared at my lap. As far-fetched as Braxton's suggestion sounded, it was plausible. But that would mean someone had been on the deck. A chill swept across my shoulders at the thought. "Umm… I also saw that creepy person at the end of the block when I left Sofie and Reid's house. But I think Reid already told you about that."

"He did. But I want you to review it with me and include every detail you can remember."

I glanced around the table and swallowed, my throat dry. Braxton's scrutiny was intense, and Reid's face was like a block of stone.

"Go on. Tell us what happened," Braxton said.

"Well, it was after Reid walked me to my car. I was driving away, and when I got to the corner, I caught something moving off to my right. It was a man dressed in dark clothing, and it was like he stepped from the shadows. I…umm…assumed it was a guy because he was huge. Anyway, when I looked in my rearview mirror, I could swear he was watching me. It was super creepy."

"What did you do?"

"I circled the block. The guy was gone when I returned."

Reid's eyes darkened, and his mouth formed into a thin line. "I still can't believe you did that. It was late, and you were alone. Do you realize how dangerous that was?"

"Umm. Yeah."

"Dammit, Della," Reid said. "You're going to get yourself hurt one of these days."

"Okay, okay. Della realizes that wasn't the best thing to do. Let's move on." Braxton scribbled some notes on the pad in front of him. Then he turned his focus back on me. "Did anything, anything at all, happen besides that?"

"Yes, but it was here. I mean, it wasn't here at work. It was in the plaza during lunch."

Both Braxton and Reid leaned forward in their chairs.

"Go on," Braxton prompted.

"It happened a few weeks ago when I was returning to the office from lunch. I had picked up something for Sofie and was texting her when I ran into someone and dropped my bag with her chicken pita. I went to pick it up and glanced at whoever it was to see who I'd hit. The guy seemed in a hurry and was already taking off, but I glimpsed his face. He had a tanned complexion, and based on his blackish-gray stubble, I'd say he was a lot older than me. The freaky part was he wore the same dark clothing and was similar in size to the guy I saw by Sofieand Reid's house. Plus, he'd pulled his hood up like he didn't want anyone to see him."

A growly sound drifted across the table from Reid's chair. Tight-lipped and scowling, he cleared his throat. His voice was overly calm when he said, "I believe you should have said something before now."

"Umm, I think I get that." I shrunk in my seat and plucked at my blouse.

Braxton's eyes narrowed, his gaze on Sofie. "Sofie, what's wrong? I realize this is upsetting, but you haven't said anything, and your face is ashen."

"My mother," Sofie whispered.

"I don't understand."

"Della said she detected a grotesque scent on the deck that wasn't coming from my garden. My mother always wore a cheap and unbearably smelly rose perfume. It was overpowering and lingered in the air wherever she went. It used to turn my stomach."

Braxton arched an eyebrow at Reid. "What do you think?"

"No." Reid shook his head. "I don't see how. The last time we saw Sofie's mother, Bobbie, she resembled a half-dead wild animal. She was thin and sickly looking, her face pockmarked under her caked-on makeup from years of drug use. She was the perfect stereotype of an addict and prostitute. I'd be shocked if she was still alive, let alone have the capacity to climb our tree and scale a fence."

Sofie shook her head. "I disagree. Although my mother disappeared years ago, we always feared she might return. She's a manipulative and devious woman, and I wouldn't be surprised if she wanted vengeance for Denny's death and Nick getting locked up in prison. And don't forget, even though she appeared thin and sickly the last time we saw her, Anderson couldn't handle her, and it was you who had to throw her outof our house. She was crazed from her drug use and more uncontainable than any of you thought."

Reid cocked an eye at Sofie. "I still don't believe she'd be able to get on our deck."

"What if she had help? Maybe someone bigger and stronger?" Sofie said.

Braxton leaned forward and clasped his hands on the tabletop. "Della, was there anyone with the man you saw? If not directly with him, possibly waiting off in the distance?"

"No, he was alone."