The chance of an early snow spiked excitement in her blood. A good, short walk would keep her warm. There were plenty of people on King Street. She hurried out of the shadows of the quaint little park to join them. There was nothing to worry about. Not anymore.
Heading east took her past the Hyatt Hotel on her left, Hampton Inn on her right. Then a wealth of bookstores, antique shops, and the ever-constant big box stores that had slowly encroached on Alexandria’s quaint persona. She couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. People were friendly here, and the street was always filled with the lovely aromas of Indian curry, Spanish cumin, the cold Potomac River, and seafood—all her favorites.
As she passed a string of professional offices, a hair salon, and another antique shop, Ashley set a measured but quick pace for herself. Fall used to be her favorite time of year, and she’d always enjoyed walking, catching glimpses of other people’s lives and celebrations through their front room picture windows. Thanksgiving and Christmas were the best times to take long strolls. People had families over then, and sometimes, an observant walker might catch a glimpse of turkey dinners and festive tables covered with feasts, or of Christmas trees and happy kids. She loved spying from the sidewalks of her travels, on families who obviously loved each other. Those homes had always seemed to glow more golden at those times of year. For the last couple years, she’d missed these walks and that glow. It was time to get her life back to normal.
She paused at the corner of King and Patrick. Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub lay three blocks east. They had the best cinnamon bread pudding in the world. She would know. That and their Irish coffee were a treat she’d given herself after work. But only during daylight hours when it was safe. Which was why she was out walking by herself after her narrow escape Friday. There were still plenty of people around.
Days were getting quite a bit shorter now, and the sun had set. Still, it was a beautiful night, and her apartment was a mere seven blocks North, then three East. She could do this. Easy.
Without the cumbersome messenger bag flapping against her thigh, she turned northward, feeling lighter. Freer, if that was even a word. Her heart started skipping, and she was a girl again, carefree, with a boyfriend. Well, at least with a very handsome neighbor. A few blocks farther down, she hugged herself and spun a silly circle in the middle of the leaf-strewn sidewalk.
Ashley laughed. Out loud. The thick, gnarled branches of the giant maple tree in the yard she was passing, had spread a magic carpet of burnished red, orange, and yellow leaves for her. On nights like this, it was easy to believe the world was safe and perfect and good.
She wondered about that meeting she’d almost had with Tripp and Jameson. What was it about? They’d all but dragged her into that conference room. She’d reconnect with Tripp first thing tomorrow morning, after she checked on Mrs. Harrison. It seemed more respectful addressing her formally instead of calling her Barbara. But darn, it’d been such a busy day, she hadn’t thought to ask for Tripp’s cell number. Come to think of it, she hadn’t given her numbers to Mrs. Harrison, either.
A tiny breath of autumn’s chill breathed over the bare skin on the front of her neck. She brushed it off, not going to let anything ruin this walk home. She’d left her bag at Tripp’s place. No matter. He’d bring it over once he finished today. Unfortunately, her cell phone was also in that bag. Her mace. That thought wiped the smile off her face. She had no way to phone for help or protect herself. Not like that mace had helped Friday night, but that vulnerability rattled her best intentions. Maybe it was time to step up the pace and do a little speed-walking.
Fortunately, her keycard and her apartment key were safe in her rear pocket. All she had to do when she got to the complex, was bump her butt to the scanner, which would scan her keycard, and she’d be inside and safe, almost home-free. Not that she was worried. She wasn’t. It was just time to get off the street.
As if the universe conspired against her, a breeze kicked up more leaves as it whined through the bare branches overhead. The friendly night turned spooky. It started to sprinkle. Then rain. Then downpour. The hoody Tripp offered sure would’ve come in handy.
Shivering, Ashley hurried. If she’d really been smart, she would’ve also kept a credit card in her rear pocket; she could’ve called a taxi then. Not that she would have, not with her phobia about men. Unknown men. Dangerous men. But she could have, and that was all the positive reinforcement she needed to lengthen her stride.
In minutes, the rain turned Ashley’s hair into slick, wet ribbons that clung to her back and forehead. Her clothes were soaked and she was cold. Ashley swiped her dripping bangs out of her eyes.
The street was darker the farther she walked from the bright business lights of King Street, through more residential porch and street lamps. Her imagination turned paranoid. Every passing car could hold a potential kidnapper. Worse, a murderer. Each house turned into a drug hang-out. Each barking dog, a vicious Rottweiler, or a crazed, slathering Pitbull, all champing at the end of their tire chains to take her down. To drag her into the bushes. To hurt her…
Like he had.
The flashback
