The next morning, I woke up on the couch, feeling alone. Brock is gone, and I reach for my phone on the coffee table. The time on the screen shows it's nearly 7:00 AM and still dark outside. Officer Lopez was scheduled to arrive at 8:00, around when Brock usually leaves for work. Should I call and ask her to come earlier? I don't want to disturb her at home.
After folding the blanket and stowing it away in the closet, I decided to head upstairs to my room. I could use a shower, but I can wait until Officer Lopez arrives. In the bathroom, I brush my teeth and notice deep, dark circles under my bloodshot eyes. I turn the water on as cold as I can bear and splash it on my face.
Returning downstairs to the kitchen, I set the coffee maker in motion. As I reach for a mug from the cupboard, a sudden noise startles me, and I drop the mug. A small piece breaks off the handle, but I'm too alarmed to care about it right now. My heart races as my hand instinctively clutches my chest. The sound came from the back door; someone's in my garage! I rush to the door and confirm it's locked—thank God.
Herc, my ever-faithful mutt, starts growling, and I try to hush him, pulling him closer. "Shhh, Herc," I whisper, and then hear the door rattling. That sets Hercules off and he starts barking like crazy. I start to panic but have to think rationally. The steel door is locked and bolted, so there's no way this person could come in. Still, that doesn't calm my fear. The rattling stops, and I quickly guide Hercules into the bathroom and lock the door. I fumble in my pocket for my phone and find Officer Lopez's number, dialing it in haste.
"Lopez," she answers.
"Someone's in my garage," I whisper urgently.
"Okay, what did you hear?" she asks.
"It sounded like someone kicked a box or something. I heard it just a few minutes ago. Hercules and I are locked in the bathroom."
"All right, I'm on my way. Get in the bathtub, shut the curtains, and stay very quiet. I'll be there shortly."
I end the call, silently praying that she arrives quickly.
A few minutes later, a text notification pops up.
"I'M OUTSIDE. CAN YOU UNLOCK THE DOOR AND LET ME IN?"
I open the Ring app and remotely unlock the door. I hear her come in.
"Mrs. Summers?" I hear her faint voice.
"I'm in here," I whisper back.
I hear footsteps approaching. "Okay, I'm going to check the garage. Stay put."
"Okay."
I rub Herc's back, trying to keep him calm, and wish I could hear what's happening outside, but there's silence.
A few minutes later, I hear Officer Lopez's voice again. "All clear."
I unlock the bathroom door, and Herc starts barking before realizing there's no threat.
"Are you okay?" Officer Lopez asks as I cautiously step out.
"Yes. Did you see anyone?" I inquire, even though I know she couldn't have.
"No. I checked everywhere, including your vehicle."
Did I imagine the noise? No, Herc heard it too.
"I know I heard something. Herc started growling too."
"I believe you, but they might have snuck out to the backyard and escaped before I arrived or as I did. I tried to be quiet so as not to scare them off with sirens."
She's right. The intruder could have unlocked the door and exited through the backyard gate. But how did they get into my garage? Did I leave the door to the backyard unlocked?
"I did see a storage container turned over, but it could have been something harmless like a mouse, a cat, or just a box shifting, causing it to fall over," she suggests. "Now that I'm here, I'll thoroughly inspect the property and make sure it's secure. There's snow on the ground, so if someone was here and fled through the back, I should be able to spot their footprints."
"Thank you," I say with gratitude.
"Just stay here and keep away from windows. I'll be back shortly."
I nod and consider where to go with no windows. My house is surrounded by them. I decide to sit in the living room on the couch with Herc since it's tall enough that I won't be visible from the windows. Herc gazes up at me, seemingly aware that something is amiss. "It's okay, Herc. We're going to be all right," I say, though it's as much to reassure myself.
Time seems to crawl as I wait for Officer Lopez to return. She has been gone for what feels like a long while, though when I check my watch, it's only been ten minutes.
She finally knocks on the door, and I unlock it via my app.
"Okay, everything looks clear, but I did see footsteps in the snow," she reports. "I took some photos and checked all around your property, but they were long gone. Did you discuss leaving with your husband?"
"Yes, we're planning to leave on Saturday," I reply. Then, I remember Herc. What will we do with him? He hasn't been boarded in years, and I'm unsure if there's enough time to secure a reservation.
"But I don't know what to do about Herc. I could try to get him boarded, but I can't guarantee getting a reservation."
"I'll take him," Officer Lopez says, her hand gently rubbing Hercules' ears. "You want to go home with me, Hercules?"
I'm taken aback by her offer. "Oh! Are you sure?"
"Yes, absolutely. My kids would love to have him over."
"But they're in school all day, and you're at work."
"While you're away, I'll be here keeping an eye on the place. He'll only come home with me at night, but he'll stay here during the day. I may not be able to be here all day, but I'll check to see he has food and water throughout the day."
I consider her proposal, thinking that it might be best for Herc. "That sounds like a good plan. I'll give you his bed and blanket for him to sleep in at night.”
“Sounds good." I must have looked worried because she interjects, saying, "He'll do better being home, so you can feel better about it.”
"Thank you so much! I really appreciate everything you've already done for us." I'm grateful but unsure if a hug is appropriate, so I hold back.
"It's my job," she replies, "and we could use a distraction from all the electronics at the house."
"Yeah, it's crazy how hooked kids are on social media," I remark, though I realize I'm not much different with my YouTube gardening channel that takes up so much of my time.
"Okay, it's settled then. The sooner you can leave, the better." I have yet to look into the destinations we can go to. Brock mentioned wanting to visit NYC, so maybe that's where we'll head. I open my laptop and start searching for flights for Saturday morning. We usually get First Class tickets when we fly now, but it wasn't always that way. We have the means to do so now.
After booking flights to NYC for Saturday at noon, I feel a sense of relief. We should arrive in the city by evening, and we can go out for dinner and then head to our hotel. Our tickets are for nine days, but I don't know if that's long enough. We can figure it out later. Right now, we just need to get away from here.
I inform Officer Lopez of our plans, and she advises us to take an Uber to the airport instead of driving ourselves. I'm not sure why, but I trust her judgment and decide to follow her advice.
When Brock returns home that night, I tell him about the intruder and the flights I've booked for Saturday. He sinks back into the couch, visibly concerned.
"I'm going to stay home until Saturday. I'll have someone take over the rest of this case before it goes to trial. It's too important that you're protected." His concern is evident, and he seems determined.
I reach over and take his hand. "No, you need to wrap up this case. I'll be okay. Officer Lopez will be here in the morning, and I have her cell number in case I need to reach her. Plus, Herc will protect me, won't you, buddy?" I bend down to scratch Herc's neck and give him a kiss.
"Trice, whoever is targeting you won't stop. I don't know what they want since you took the recorder to Gray, and no one knows you had it, right?"
"Yes, no one knows." At least, I hope no one does. We were careful at the park, and neither of us saw anyone. Of course, Goldie is now dead, and someone was in my garage, so who knows.
"Mr. Summers, I will make sure Patrice is safe," Officer Lopez interjects, addressing Brock by his first name for the first time.
Brock sighs deeply, reluctantly conceding. "Okay, but if this happens again or anything else puts you in danger, we are leaving. If we have to stay in a hotel until we depart on Saturday, so be it. Deal?"
"Deal," I agree, getting up from the couch. Both of us are likely hungry, and I have yet to have a chance to go grocery shopping. "We need to eat."
"Let me grab you some burgers," Officer Lopez offers as she gets up. "Just let me know what you want."
"No, you need to get back to your family. We can order through DoorDash again," I argue, not wanting her to stay longer, especially when she has children who need her.
"Okay, then I'll stay until your food arrives."
After placing our order and waiting for dinner, Brock and I discuss the tourist spots we'd like to visit in NYC.
"Oh, and remember, we need to visit Jeff in Long Island," he reminds me.
I had forgotten about that, but it's not a good idea. We need to be alone, and in a city of ten million, we can blend in, which is exactly what I want.
After dinner, Officer Lopez departs, and Brock goes around the house to double-check that everything is locked up securely.
We need to inform the boys about our plans, but that can wait until morning. Brock and I stretch out on the couch, opting for another movie night. This time, I eventually rise and make my way upstairs to our bedroom. Shortly after, Brock joins me. He gently kisses me as we lie in bed, and I respond in kind. His fingers slide through my hair, igniting a passion that has been dormant for far too long. Our bodies entwine, fueled by a desire that comes from fearing the loss of one another. We make love with an intensity that reflects our deep connection. Afterward, I nestle in his arms, feeling drowsy and secure as I close my eyes.
Two days can't come soon enough.
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