Page 54 of High-Priority Asset

She flipped on the wipers. The wind snatched the card, carrying it on a breeze across the parking lot.

A shadow moved up alongside her window. She almost jumped out of her skin, her heart throbbing in her throat.

An older woman got inside a sedan parked beside hers and pulled off.

Isabel took a deep breath, calming herself down. She threw her car in gear and drove to the doggie day care center, going well over the speed limit, not running red lights, but gunning it when any turned yellow.

Once McQueen was in the car she felt better, knowing she had immediate backup in case she needed it. He wouldn’t let anyone get near her if he sensed danger. Too bad she couldn’t take him with her everywhere.

On the way home, she checked her mirrors constantly, making sure she wasn’t being followed. Not that she had any training in picking up a tail, but she’d notice if the same car stayed glued behind her.

Nothing unusual stuck out and by the time she pulled into her garage, her nerves had settled somewhat.

Entering her building, she waved hello to the concierge, who worked from eight to six at the front desk. “Good evening, Bill,” she said with a shopping bag in either hand.

“Evening, Isabel. You got a package. I ran it upstairs for you, put it in front of your door.”

“You’re a saint,” she said, wondering what it could be since she hadn’t ordered anything. “Thank you.”

“Need help with those groceries?”

“No, I’ve got it.” She hit the button for the elevator. Normally she took the stairs, but tonight, she wanted to get inside her condo as soon as possible.

The chime dinged and the doors opened. She got in the lift with McQueen. The ride up was quick.

At her front door, McQueen ran up to the package and sniffed it. She put her key in the door and unlocked it. Inside, she shut off her alarm and set her groceries down, relieved to be home.

She put everything away, took out her phone and called Dutch. “Hi.”

“Hey, beautiful.” His deep, smoky voice brought another layer of comfort.

“Brenda is closing up tonight,” she said, retrieving the package, with the phone sandwiched between her ear and shoulder. “I already swung by the grocery, where something weird happened.”

“Weird how?”

She shrugged to herself. “I’m not really sure, but I’ll tell you about it later.” She locked the door and put the box on the counter. “I’ve had the busiest day, running around like crazy because my uncle wants me to organize an art auction for him down in San Diego.”

“Really? When’s the auction?”

“Sunday. Fifty guests. I can’t believe it’s such short notice. Talk about pressure.” She sighed, hoping to pull everything together, not wanting to disappoint her uncle. “I’m set to cook dinner tonight, though. How quickly can you get here?”

The package was covered in brown shipping wrap and her name was typed on a label on the top, but there was no return address. Today was full of weird stuff. Was Mercury retrograde? A full moon or something?

“I just stepped out of the shower,” he said, conjuring delicious images in her mind. “I’ll throw on clothes and head over.”

“I was thinking, why don’t you bring your toothbrush and spend the night?” Smiling, she pulled at the taped-down flaps along the side and unwrapped it. “That’s strange.”

“What?”

“I got a package. It’s a foam box.”

“Foam?” Sternness spiked the word.

“Yes, an insulated cooler,” she said, taking off the lid.

“Wait. Don’t open it.”

A rancid smell hit her as she peered inside. A strangled scream escaped her lips. The cell phone slipped from her hand, crashing to the floor. She gagged, her stomach convulsing.