Page 149 of The Best Thing He Never Wanted

“Is he there?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“He’s in the courtyard.”

“Are the doors locked?”

“Yes.”

“Where are you?”

“Upstairs. I was coming to bed. I saw him just before I closed the curtains.”

“Can he see you?”

“I don’t think so. The bedroom light isn’t on.”

“Good. Leave it off. Stay away from the window.” His voice was calm now, completely controlled. “Are all the doors locked?”

“Yes. I checked them before I came upstairs.”

“Any way he can get in that isn’t locked? Back door, terrace, anything?”

“No.”

“Okay. Move away from the window and tell me exactly what happened today. Start at the beginning.”

Bea did as he told her, retreating into the darker part of the room. She told him about seeing the man near the shepherd’s hut, about almost going out to speak to him and thinking better of it, then seeing him closer to the house later.

“And I called the lawyer,” she finished. “I left a message. I thought I’d go in on Monday and find out who he is.”

“And now he’s in your courtyard?”

“Yes.”

“Can you still see him?”

She edged toward the window.

“Don’t.”

She stopped. “How did you…?”

“I know you. And I mean it, Bea. Stay where he can’t see you.”

“All right.”

“Who’s closest to you right now? Katerina?”

“I suppose so, yes.”

“Good. When we hang up, you call the police. Then you call Katerina and tell her what’s happening. Get her to come over. I don’t want you spending the night alone.”

“Blane, I’m perfectly capable of—”

“I know you are.” His voice stayed calm. “This isn’t about whether you’re capable. There’s a man trespassing outside your house in the middle of the night. You call the police, and you get somebody local there with you. That’s what I’d tell anybody in this situation.”