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The cops are at Andreas’ house for an eternity. They have to canvas the area to see if there is any evidence of where the person had come from or where they went, and they take my statement three different times. Whoever it is wore gloves, and there aren’t any prints left on the window, knife, or anywhere on the car. Before they leave, one cop frowns and tells us, “No one saw anything. Everyone claims to have been asleep.”
There are a few houses with cameras, so tomorrow they’re going to see if anyone has footage they can watch. They may get a make and model of a car, or at least get some kind of physical description of what the person looks like. Something is better than nothing, and right now, we have nothing.
Andreas and I are now sitting at the kitchen table having coffee, the morning light slowly brightening the surrounding room. I hang my head and try to relax, but it isn’t coming easily.
“How am I going to get through my shift at work tonight?” I ask.
“Work?” Andreas’ angry voice reverberates off the walls. “You’re not working. Not when this stalker is lurking around. Are you insane?”
I sigh and shrug my shoulders. “I’m going to work, and I’m not pausing my life because some crazy asshole is trying to scare me. It’ll be fine. The closing manager can walk me out to my car.”
He sighs and puts his hand on top of mine. “Fine. Can I at least drop you off and pick you up? I don’t want you driving alone.”
I give him an exasperated look. “I appreciate it, Andreas. Everything you’ve done for me over the past couple of days has been beyond words. That being said, this is all a little strange. We barely know each other. We aren’t dating, and this is all a little too much. I know you’re being kind, but I can drive myself to work. And tomorrow, I’ll start looking for an apartment. I enjoy spending time with you, I do. But let’s not rush into making this something it’s not.”
His face hardens, and he tells me, “I’m not trying to date you, Alana. I’m worried about you. You’re acting like these events aren’t escalating. I don’t care if you find a place, and I understand you’re afraid to move too fast. But please, don’t put yourself in danger to make a point. That’s childish.”
I scoff at his use of the word childish. “Trust me, I’m taking this seriously. I’m just not giving up my independence. I can keep myself safe and make sure I’m not alone at work. Thanks, though.”
With that, I stand up angrily and put my coffee mug in the sink. Before Andreas can say anything else, I leave the kitchen, walk upstairs, and close the door to the spare bedroom. Deep down, I know he’s just trying to be nice. But I don’t like that some guy I’ve slept with once is trying to dictate shit to me.
I grab my cell phone off the nightstand and call Ashley and Ricole. I brace myself because I know they’re both going to freak the fuck out, but I need to get it out of the way so I can get ready for work.
39
Chapter Thirty Nine
Andreas
Alana and I didn’t speak again before she left for work this afternoon. I had thought about what she’d said, and she was right. We barely know each other, and what she does or doesn’t do is none of my business. She can decide for herself, and I admire the fact that she isn’t letting fear dictate her life, even though she’s being rash and discounting the potential danger she could be in.
I close out my browser and turn my computer off so I can call the security company my friend Chris recommended. I’m having them install cameras around the perimeter of my property. As I pick up the phone to make the call, my mind drifts back to Alana’s reaction. I know she’s trying to maintain her independence, but I can’t help but feel responsible for her safety. After all, she was here in my home last night. This all happened on my watch.
I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. My emotions threaten to cloud my judgment, so I try to shove it all away. I need to focus on protecting Alana without overstepping my bounds. I don’t want her to feel like I’m trying to control her.
I make the call and schedule for the cameras to be installed tomorrow morning. With that done, I stand up from my desk and take a deep breath. I hope this will give us both a little peace of mind, knowing that no one can enter or leave the premises without being recorded. At least with this precaution in place, Alana can feel safe without compromising her independence. She may not stay here permanently, but for the time being, I’ll be able to sleep easier.
I dial one last number and wait for the call to connect. “Hometown Wings and Beer, this is Marcie. How can I help you?”
“Can I speak to Jim, please?” I ask for Alana’s manager. He needs to know to monitor things.
“One moment, please,” the cashier says before placing me on hold.
I wait for a few moments before Jim’s voice comes through the line. “Hello, this is Jim. How can I help you?”
“Jim, this is Andreas. I’m calling to let you know Alana has some things going on outside of work. I’m worried about her safety, so could you watch out for her while she’s at work? Just let me know if you see anyone acting suspicious and make sure she doesn’t walk to her car alone tonight.”
“Sure thing, boss,” he says. “Anything else?”
“No. that’s all. Thanks, Jim.”
I feel relieved when we hang up. I feel like I have a ton of pent-up energy boiling beneath the surface, so I decide to jog to the gym.
I stretch lightly before making sure that my phone and wallet are in my pockets and heading out the door. The sun is setting, and a cool breeze wraps around me as I jog down the street. I take a deep breath of fresh air, feeling energized, my mind clearer already. The jog only takes ten minutes, and I’m filled with an eagerness to push myself harder than I usually do.
Stepping into the gym, I can feel the air-conditioning hit me as soon as I step onto the treadmill. I set the incline and adjust the speed while I watch my reflection in the long wall of mirrors at the far end of the room. My legs are tired after a few minutes, so I take a break and move over to one of the weight machines. I lift the heavy weights until my chest and leg muscles burn from fatigue. Sweat drips from my forehead onto the rubber mats, and my hands slip on the metal handles as I push myself further. With each station finished, I lie back panting and exhausted.
