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I’d say the murders of his business associates, and karma breathing down the back of my neck counted as one. I’d have to be cautious with what I spent and how, though.
There was no way I could start dipping into the money in the accounts he’d left to me. There were still things that had to be maintained amid this clusterfuck of a situation. The electric company wouldn’t care that life was trying to screw me up the ass, they just wanted their money.
I pulled open the top drawer of my nightstand just as the doorbell rang. Freezing for a second, I rose slowly to my feet. Two sharp knocks followed the chimes now echoing through the empty foyer.
I crept over to the upper window and peered out. A blue sedan sat in the driveway. I didn’t recognize it, and I couldn’t see whoever was at the door. Taking a step backward, I ran my fingers through my hair and headed for the hall, snagging the gun off my bed.
I wouldn’t use it unless necessary. I only had two bullets now that I’d wasted one on Rhett’s wall. Each one would have to count if things got bad. Halfway down the stairs, I was able to make out a man’s silhouette through the stained-glass window.
“Who is it?” I called.
“Legacy Realty.”
Why would they be at my house? Mr. Parker was dead. I paused on the last step.
“Who from Legacy Realty?”
“Names’ Gabe Parker,” the man responded with a hint of laughter.
Like the blue sedan, his name wasn’t familiar to me. The surname was, of course, but I’d never heard of any Gabe’s before. I could bet my left tit he’d just made that up.
“I have a file addressed to a Nova Morkav,” the man tacked on.
Okay, now he had my attention. With everything else that had happened I’d forgotten all about the file Mr. Parker had left for me. And that his daughter was missing. I hid the gun behind my back and edged towards the front door, making sure the top chain was latched before cracking it open.
“Hey, there.” A man who could have been a Ken doll come to life, leather skin and all, smiled through the slit at me. “This is for you.” He attempted to shove the manila envelope inside, but it wouldn’t fit.
“Why have I never seen you before?” I questioned, letting suspicion carry in my tone.
“I prefer the big city over a small town. I’m here to help take care of the funerals for my family. And to take Melody with me, when she’s found.”
He said that so matter-of-factly. “When she’s found.” Did he expect her to be alive? I for one was certain she was no longer amongst the living. From what I’d been able to find out thus far, her entire family had been slaughtered. The town was reeling, people were scared. Things like this just didn’t happen here.
No matter, I wanted that file. Needed that file. I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten about it. My father had left almost nothing to go on. I was desperate for any kind of lead. Letting a stranger into my home went against every rationale thought inside my brain.
I didn’t really have the time for this delay, but I needed to
know who he was as much as I needed the damn envelope.
“One second.” I shut the door and backtracked to the foyer’s closet. I stashed the gun inside, just behind the bloody shoes I’d meant to burn. There was nowhere to hide it on my person. Whether this man was another player in a never-ending game of charades, or an innocent party, me answering the door with a stolen handgun would raise all sorts of suspicions.
I returned to the door and pulled it open, cordially stepping to the side. “Would you like to come in?”
“Thank you.”
‘Gabe’ moved right on past me without a hint of hesitation. That was good. It meant he didn’t think of me as a threat. From my peripheral, I could see him taking in the front part of the house.
I took a determined breath, settling back into the role I played so well before I turned to face him, flashing a friendly smile. Whatever happened next would determine if he was friend or foe. I could pull off harmless damsel for a few minutes, long enough to get what I wanted.
“Would you like something to drink. Water? Lemonade?”
“Waters fine.”
“Kitchens right this way.” I gestured in its general direction, walking as quickly as I could while attempting not to look suspicious. I didn’t want this guy behind me a second longer than necessary.
The moment we entered the kitchen, I veered around the island to put space between us, keeping an eye on him in the reflection of my cabinets. I noticed his suit was slightly wrinkled, and the black wasn’t as vibrant as it would’ve been if it were new.
“You live here all alone?” he asked, sounding way too curious.
