The Midnight Tour

“Are you sure it belonged to a person?”

Tuck turned her head and frowned at Dana. “No, it was Bigfoot.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

Suddenly tossing a smile at Dana, she said, “Nah, couldn’t have been Bigfoot. Wasn’t hairy. Might’ve been a beast, though.”

“Sure.”

“The skin looked awfully white.”

“It was a bare arm?”

“Yeah,” Tuck said. “Whoever he was, I don’t think he had a shirt on. I think his shoulder was bare. Hmm. Maybe he was naked.” She reached for the door handle. “I’ll ask him in.”

“Sure you will.”

Tuck let go of the handle.

For a while, they didn’t talk. They stood side by side, staring out.

Then Dana said, “Do you have any idea who it might’ve been?”

“Not a clue.”

“I guess we can’t go back out there.”

“You know what? Keep an eye on things. I’m calling the cops.”

Dana felt a sudden dropping sensation in her stomach.

Calling the cops.

Legs dripping, Tuck walked over to the lamp table at the far end of the couch.

She picked up the phone.

“You think it’s that serious?” Dana asked.

“Don’t you?”

“I guess so.”

Tuck tapped in three numbers.

“9-1-1?” Dana asked.

“You bet.”

“Jeez.”

This was like calling for an ambulance: an admission that the situation might be drastic.

Dana turned away to keep an eye on the pool area.

She saw nobody.

If he’s out there, he’s sure keeping out of sight.

“Hello?” Tuck said. After a brief pause, she said, “Yes, I guess it’s an emergency. We have a prowler behind the house. My friend and I were out by the pool, and I caught him spying on us from the bushes.” Pause. “Tucker. Lynn Tucker...Oh, hi, George. Didn’t recognize your voice...Yeah, we’re fine. We ran into the house and locked the door, but we’re afraid he might still be out there...No, he doesn’t seem to be coming after us. Not yet, anyway.” She listened for a moment, then gave the house address. After another pause, she said, “I don’t have any idea who it is. I didn’t see the face... White. And I think it’s a male, but I really didn’t get that good of a look...I don’t know. I guess I’d say he’s probably young. Not a kid, but not an old man...I only saw his arm and shoulder, George... Well, average size, I guess. No, cancel that. I don’t know. I guess he seemed to be fairly large. But like I said, I couldn’t see much. He might’ve seemed bigger than he really is...I don’t know, maybe six feet something...How should I know? Based on a glimpse of his arm?..Well, how about a hundred and eighty, two hundred? Do you have to put something down? I really haven’t got a clue. Can’t you just send someone over?...Wearing? Nothing that I could see...Well, I can’t say he was naked. All I saw was his arm, George. And it was bare, so I’m pretty sure he wasn’t wearing any shirt...Nothing more I can think of...I don’t know. At the moment, he isn’t trying to kick the door in...Isn’t...Okay, thanks. That’s great.... You, too, George. So long.”

She hung up.

Dana turned around. Tuck shook her head. “That was my old pal, George. He’s sending someone over.”

“Did he say how long it’d be?”

“Nope. He didn’t say who he’s sending, either. Wish I’d asked. I know everyone on the force. Their shifts change, though, so...” She shook her head. “Hope it doesn’t turn out to be Cochran. He’s such an asshole. Anyway, I don’t know about you, but I’m getting dressed. In case it is Cochran.”

“Why don’t you go first?” Dana suggested. “I’ll keep watch on things down here.”

“Okay. Yell if anything happens.”

With that, Tuck whirled around and ran for the stairway. She rushed up the stairs, taking them two at a time.

Dana turned to the glass door.

The pool area still appeared to be deserted. But someone might easily be hiding in the bushes and trees.

Watching me.

Anyone spying from the other side of the pool would have a bright, clear view of Dana standing at the glass door.

She suddenly felt exposed, as if she were on display in her thin, clinging swimsuit. It was clammy against her skin. Chilly water trickled down her legs. She realized that she was shivering slightly. Without looking down at herself, she knew her skin was rumpled with goosebumps, her nipples rigid and jutting out.

She was tempted to shut the drapes.

If I do that, I won’t be able to see out. He might sneak up to the door.

Let him look at me all be wants. So what?

At the sound of Tuck thumping down the stairs, she turned around. Tuck now wore a bulky gray sweatshirt and white shorts that reached down almost to her knees. She was barefoot. In her right hand, swinging low by her side, was a very large revolver.

“A gun?” Dana asked.

“Not just any gun,” Tuck said. Striding toward her, she raised the weapon and pointed it toward the ceiling. “This-here is your basic Smith & Wesson .44 magnum with an eight-inch bamel.” Squinting and snarling like Clint Eastwood, she said, “Thee most powerful handgun in the world.”

“Jesus,” Dana muttered.

“Nope. Dirty Harry. It’s my dad’s. And it’s loaded with hollow points.” She twirled the barrel. “Just in case our visitor makes a try for us before the cavalry arrives.”

“Don’t let ‘the cavalry’ see it. They might shoot you.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m not a dope. You can go on upstairs and get dressed now, if...”

The doorbell rang.

They both jumped.

“Too late,” Tuck said. “Go get the door and I’ll hide the cannon.”

Leaving Tuck behind, Dana hurried out of the room and down the short hallway to the foyer. At the door, she called, “Who is it?”

“Police.”

She opened the main door. A few steps back from the screen door stood a woman in uniform. She held a long, black flashlight down by her side, but it wasn’t turned on.

“Hello, officer,” Dana said.

The woman peered at her. “Having some trouble here? A prowler?”

“Right.” Dana swung open the screen door. “Come on in.”

The cop entered. She appeared to be older than Dana—maybe in her late twenties or early thirties. She was Dana’s size, had a similar figure, and was extremely attractive. Though her eyes were a striking, pale blue color, they had a tough, ironic look. Her pale blond hair was cut very short.