Page 49 of In Plain Sight
The urgency in Dan’s voice caused an eruption of goose bumps.
Gary took in the man’s cool smile, the dark eyes that glittered, the heavy jaw. “Who are you?”
“My name isn’t important.” His smile broadened, though still devoid of warmth. “Let’s just say I’m a messenger.”
Cold spread through him. “Who sent you? And what’s the message?”
As if he didn’t know the answers to both questions.
“I think you know who sent me, Detective. And the message is very short. Stop.”
Gary played dumb. “Stop what?” He was aware of Dan, as still as a statue at his side.
The man stared at him. “You’re not stupid. This is only the first message. You keep this up and there’ll be more.”
Cold gave way to ice in Gary’s veins. “Okay, you’ve delivered it. You can go now.”
“I’m going anyway.” He glanced at the apartment building. “You’ve got a pad on the second floor, right? Nice place to live.” He surveyed the street. “I’ll bet it’s a nice safe neighborhood too. You can’t be too careful these days.” The man swaggered past them, smirking. “Have a good evening.” He whistled as he walked away, his hands thrust into the pockets of his jacket.
Dan hadn’t moved from Gary’s side. “Do we need to be worried about this?”
Gary hoped not.
“A one-word message isn’t anything to concern us.” The fact that he knew where they lived was another matter, however.
Dan stared at him. “And if the messages get longer and more frequent?”
“Then we’ll deal with them,” Gary stated with more confidence than he felt.
“Just bear in mind you’ve had two such encounters today. I think you’ve rattled Paul DiFanetti.” Dan gripped his arm. “And that’s not a good thing.”
Gary had a feeling he’d need to watch his back—especially if Lori confirmed their suspicions.
Chapter Sixteen
Friday, July 27, 2018
“ARE YOUsure we’re on the right road?” Gary demanded.
Dan laughed. “You’re just saying that because I made you turn off GPS. I’ll get us there, okay? Trust me, I can follow a map.”
“But all I can see is trees. There isn’t a house for miles, and you said we were almost there.”
Dan glanced at his phone. “If it makes you feel better, we’re coming up on the turnoff for the house.”
“What turnoff?”
He pointed ahead to the left. “There’s a house. See that? There’s a road immediately after it.”
They turned off Under Mountain Road, substituting its smooth surface for a narrower gravel-covered lane that wound through pine trees in a long curve.
“We’re going to get eaten by bears, aren’t we?” Gary murmured as they drove deeper into the woods.
Dan snorted. “The bears should be more worried. You’ve got a gun.”
They reached a fork in the road, and Dan directed them to the left. Ahead of them, they glimpsed a white building.
“How many acres did you say this place is set in?” Gary asked.