Halfway down the dark block the hairs on the back of my neck rose, my Spidey sense on high alert. Was someone following me? Someone unhappy I’d been asking questions about Agrosafe? Someone threatened I was looking into Paul’s and my mom’s deaths? I took a quick glance around but didn’t see anyone. I slid my phone out of my bag and swiped it awake in case I had to dial a quick 911. I strode as fast as I could short of jogging and heaved a deep sigh of relief when I hit the well-lit thoroughfare.
The film was only sparsely attended. My bucket of popcorn—which passed for dinner, since I hadn’t finished my appetizers after the lecture—and I had the second row all to ourselves. I happily lost myself in the big screen for the next hundred minutes.
But when I emerged onto the street, it was nearly ten o’clock. The moon was higher and barely any shade of orange at all. The street was nearly deserted. The few other moviegoers turned left toward the parking lot. Music drifted out from an Irish bar across the street and two guys stood in front of it smoking, but on this side I had the sidewalk to myself. I turned to the right. As I walked I threaded my keys through my knuckles in one hand and held my phone in the other. Living here, I’d never felt Santa Barbara was dangerous. Now? I wasn’t so sure.
I was nearly to the street where I’d parked when a voice sounded from a dark doorway next to me.
“Hey,” a gravelly voice said.
I gasped and tripped, barely catching myself.
“Spare change?”
I backed up to the curb as I peered toward the voice. A man sat on the ground with his hand out. I shook my head.
“Sorry.” I rushed on. I should have given him something. But what if he wasn’t really a dude down on his luck? What if he grabbed my wrist? My heart thudded.
And now I had to traverse the dark side street once more. What an idiot I was. I should have given up on the movie rather than park there alone. I should have stayed home and read a book. Watched a flick on my iPad. Anything but this.
Still, I had to get my car. I tapped on the flashlight app to illuminate my way so at least I wouldn’t trip again. Partway down the first block I thought I heard footsteps. I halted and whirled. I couldn’t make out anyone. I hurried faster. At the car I fumbled with the keys and dropped them. I finally clicked the door open and slid in. Hitting the lock button had never felt so good.
Once I cleared downtown, I glanced in the rearview mirror and let out a frantic moan. Headlights, high and bright in my eyes. Again. I sped up. They matched my speed. This was a wider road with zero traffic on it. My hands, now sweaty, clenched the steering wheel. I didn’t dare stop and use my phone to call for help. I had two miles to go before turning off for Carmen’s.
My tail backed off. Maybe it was simply somebody in a big effing hurry. Maybe they weren’t after me. I tried to deepen my breath, to calm myself. It wasn’t working. I checked the mirror on my side and swore. The vehicle was coming up on my left—and fast. They were too close. They were going to sideswipe me! The road was elevated here with a steep drop-off to my right. I was toast.
Blue and white lights strobed toward me. A siren grew louder. The big vehicle slowed and got back behind me. It drifted back to a safe distance. I blew out a breath. I’d never been happier to see the cops.
The police vehicle drew closer. Were they after my assailant? They sped past. And when I checked my rearview mirror, all I could see were the police lights disappearing into the distance. The big vehicle was gone. Had it pulled over and extinguished its headlights or taken a side road? I had no idea.
I turned left onto Carmen’s street and slowed, my hands damp on the steering wheel and my legs shaky. I should have listened to Madame Allegra. I thanked whatever lucky stars had saved me. And vowed not to venture out alone at night again until I was back in cozy South Lick.
Chapter 32
I awoke with a thudding heart. The room was dark and I didn’t feel a bit rested. When I saw that my phone said it was two twenty, I swore. I was normally a good sleeper. Occasionally, when I woke up in the wee hours, it took me some time to get back to slumberland. I’d fallen asleep at around eleven, after indulging in a little glass of whiskey, since I’d bought a small bottle at a local microdistillery after I’d arrived.
But why was my heart racing? I lay quietly on my back, trying to figure it out. I had the feeling I’d been in a dream with someone chasing me, but I couldn’t . . . oh, wait. Someone had been chasing me, in real life, only a few hours ago. It was why I’d had the whiskey, to calm my nerves.
I sat up and switched on the bedside lamp. My heart refused to slow. I could barely swallow. Did this room have good locks? Did the building? Maybe my chaser would come after me again. I shouldn’t have imagined I could go around asking questions with impunity. What had I been thinking, going to Walter’s talk? Visiting Paul’s apartment, talking with Grace. Even asking Zoe questions. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Of course I wanted to get to the truth. Of course I wanted justice for Paul. But that was the police department’s job, and the sheriff’s—not mine. Madame Allegra had foreseen me being in danger. How could she have? But she had. And I hadn’t been careful
