baseball game of the season had been a tradition with him and Paul. Paul was gone. Time to start a new tradition.
Time to do a lot of things different.
He sat down on the couch but didn’t turn on the television, not wanting to wake Traci. She was sleeping for two and he wanted her to get as much rest as she needed. He dropped his head into his hands and struggled to quiet his mind, wanting to just be able to relax enough so he could go back to bed and get some sleep.
He had just about achieved some semblance of calm when he heard his phone vibrating on the kitchen counter. He’d been so distracted he’d forgotten to take it into the bedroom earlier. He got up and went to retrieve it. It was dispatch calling.
“Mark here,” he said quietly.
“You wanted to be alerted if there was any sign of trouble up at the Coulter residence.”
“Yes, and?” Mark asked, tensing up instantly.
“The alarm system was tripped about three minutes ago.”
“Has the owner called in?”
“No. We’re trying to reach him.”
“Alright, send squad cars.”
“Already done.”
“Good. I’m on my way.”
He hung up and nearly dashed outside in his pajamas. He gritted his teeth and scurried back into the bedroom trying to grab clothes silently in the dark. He didn’t want to wake Traci, especially since she’d ask what was going on and he’d have to admit there was trouble at Joseph’s. He didn’t want her worrying.
He finally managed to grab what he needed and he dressed hurriedly in the living room before grabbing his phone, gun, badge and keys and dashing out the door.
Cindy was restless. She tried to attribute it to sleeping in a bed that wasn’t hers, but it was more than that. Besides, she’d slept fine in this bed the night before. Of course, passed out was more akin to what had happened, she had been so exhausted.
Finally she got up. She threw on a cushy white robe that Joseph had supplied and which was hanging in her closet. Staying at his home was just like being at some really fancy hotel. There were slippers, too, but she was fine with just her socks.
She left her room, closing the door quietly behind her. She glanced at both Geanie and Jeremiah’s rooms, but there was no light coming from under either door. So much for someone else being up that she could talk to.
Maybe Joseph was. She headed down the hall, trying to remember where his room was. She was pretty sure it wasn’t located in the guest wing. She wasn’t sure it was even on the same floor. Maybe she’d get lucky and find him awake and prowling around just like her.
She hadn’t had a chance to call Gerald back and that was bothering her. She promised herself she would take care of that first thing in the morning. She rationalized it by telling herself that what was going on with Geanie and the potential attacks and everything to do with the wedding was more pressing than a cold case that had gone unsolved for who knew how long. It wasn’t like finding the answers would bring Paul back.
Still, she did feel bad. The sooner she could find answers the sooner hopefully Mark could get some closure with the whole thing. The need for closure was something she completely understood.
She headed down the grand staircase to the first floor, hoping to catch Joseph awake and prowling around the kitchen or living area. She didn’t see any lights on but the sky outside was clear and there was a full moon which was shining through the windows and providing more than enough light to find her way around.
None of the dogs appeared to be awake. Although she knew that Captain was sleeping in Jeremiah’s room and she suspected that one or more of Joseph’s prize poodles were in his room.
The kitchen was dark and empty and she hesitated there for a moment, thinking about making herself a sandwich. She was feeling rather hungry. Dinner had been hours before. Of course, if she could have slept like a normal person it wouldn’t be an issue.
There
Time to do a lot of things different.
He sat down on the couch but didn’t turn on the television, not wanting to wake Traci. She was sleeping for two and he wanted her to get as much rest as she needed. He dropped his head into his hands and struggled to quiet his mind, wanting to just be able to relax enough so he could go back to bed and get some sleep.
He had just about achieved some semblance of calm when he heard his phone vibrating on the kitchen counter. He’d been so distracted he’d forgotten to take it into the bedroom earlier. He got up and went to retrieve it. It was dispatch calling.
“Mark here,” he said quietly.
“You wanted to be alerted if there was any sign of trouble up at the Coulter residence.”
“Yes, and?” Mark asked, tensing up instantly.
“The alarm system was tripped about three minutes ago.”
“Has the owner called in?”
“No. We’re trying to reach him.”
“Alright, send squad cars.”
“Already done.”
“Good. I’m on my way.”
He hung up and nearly dashed outside in his pajamas. He gritted his teeth and scurried back into the bedroom trying to grab clothes silently in the dark. He didn’t want to wake Traci, especially since she’d ask what was going on and he’d have to admit there was trouble at Joseph’s. He didn’t want her worrying.
He finally managed to grab what he needed and he dressed hurriedly in the living room before grabbing his phone, gun, badge and keys and dashing out the door.
Cindy was restless. She tried to attribute it to sleeping in a bed that wasn’t hers, but it was more than that. Besides, she’d slept fine in this bed the night before. Of course, passed out was more akin to what had happened, she had been so exhausted.
Finally she got up. She threw on a cushy white robe that Joseph had supplied and which was hanging in her closet. Staying at his home was just like being at some really fancy hotel. There were slippers, too, but she was fine with just her socks.
She left her room, closing the door quietly behind her. She glanced at both Geanie and Jeremiah’s rooms, but there was no light coming from under either door. So much for someone else being up that she could talk to.
Maybe Joseph was. She headed down the hall, trying to remember where his room was. She was pretty sure it wasn’t located in the guest wing. She wasn’t sure it was even on the same floor. Maybe she’d get lucky and find him awake and prowling around just like her.
She hadn’t had a chance to call Gerald back and that was bothering her. She promised herself she would take care of that first thing in the morning. She rationalized it by telling herself that what was going on with Geanie and the potential attacks and everything to do with the wedding was more pressing than a cold case that had gone unsolved for who knew how long. It wasn’t like finding the answers would bring Paul back.
Still, she did feel bad. The sooner she could find answers the sooner hopefully Mark could get some closure with the whole thing. The need for closure was something she completely understood.
She headed down the grand staircase to the first floor, hoping to catch Joseph awake and prowling around the kitchen or living area. She didn’t see any lights on but the sky outside was clear and there was a full moon which was shining through the windows and providing more than enough light to find her way around.
None of the dogs appeared to be awake. Although she knew that Captain was sleeping in Jeremiah’s room and she suspected that one or more of Joseph’s prize poodles were in his room.
The kitchen was dark and empty and she hesitated there for a moment, thinking about making herself a sandwich. She was feeling rather hungry. Dinner had been hours before. Of course, if she could have slept like a normal person it wouldn’t be an issue.
There
Similar Books
