Fleeting Glimpse Read online

Grabbing a dish from the cabinet, she empties the contents of the can. She holds her breath for a few seconds. “Wow! How can you eat this stuff?” she asks, setting it down.

  Theo purrs as he gobbles his food.

  “Slow down, Theodore,” she says, picking up the phone. “Okay, Adam, sorry about making you wait. Why wasn’t this meet and greet prearranged?”

  “Thomas arranged it. However, after Jane fired him, he still had access to his editor log in and remotely deleted vital information and several of your appointments. Had it not been for the shop owner calling us, you would have missed it.”

  “Oh darn,” Chandra says, concentrating on balancing the phone and a bottle of wine, as she pulls a wine glass from its hanging perch. The clink of glass gives her pause. Cringing, she watches the stemware sway.

  “These aren’t bad, Chandra. They’re more intimate, and your fans love them.”

  “That may be true, but…” Chandra shakes her head. “Has there been any other fallout from Thomas?” She grabs a bottle opener from a drawer.

  Adam sighs into the phone. “Yeah. He’s going to sue you and Jane.”

  “Me? Why me?” Her voice stammers.

  “He says you got him terminated, and Jane hasn’t paid him his last salary check.”

  “How did I get him fired? He tried to trick me into signing with another publisher, all under the guise of Jane’s approval. He got himself fired.”

  “You don’t have anything to worry about. He can’t touch you. Or us, for that matter.”

  “That’s what you say. When is this shindig?” Frowning, she pinches her lips together to keep from saying anything snarky. Pouring some wine into her glass, she takes a long sip. It’s the first time she relaxes since she returned home.

  “Hang on, I have the information somewhere,” Adam pauses. “Here it is. Five p.m. With the main book signing starting at seven.”

  “All right. Can you make sure to bring me a few hard cover books?”

  “I can do that.”

  “Thank you.” Her voice trails off. She’s standing in front of her automatic sliding glass doors, peering at her backyard. She loves the unfiltered view these doors give. Their seamless construction and interlocking panes mean no clunky doors on a track. The original doors were like that, and the owner had a huge metal dowel attached for security. These doors provide the security she wants without the bulky ugly frame.

  Chandra loves her backyard view. It’s why she purchased the home. The odd shape of her property gives her lots of privacy from her neighbors who are over a hundred feet away on either side. Due to the curvature of the cul-de-sac, her house sits at the front of the lot, giving her a smaller front yard. While roughly one and a half acres sits at the back. The property lines give her backyard the shape of an inverted triangle, placing her home at the tip.

  The half-moon mesmerizes Chandra as Adam’s voice drones on about the bookstore. Its subtle glow, combined with the light fog, casts soft shadows against the backdrop of the dense row of evergreens encircling her entire property. The trees whisper for her to join them.

  Adam continues to go over her upcoming schedule. A month-long tour of the northeast, beginning with her home town of Manchester, New Hampshire, traveling the coastline, with several stops at bookstores along the way. Chandra’s chest tightens. She doesn’t want to be gone that long. The only saving grace, she gets to take Theodore with her.

  If she has to discuss business, she might as well be comfortable. Wrapping herself up in a blanket from the back of a reading chair, she prepares to go out on the deck. Using the ball of her foot, she presses the locking mechanism that will allow for the glass doors to slide open.

  CHAPTER THREE

  The solid line of trees separating the properties from each other gives me the perfect hiding spot. The fog encircles each solar light on the steps from the wooden deck, creating a muted glow. A burning sensation fills my chest. I can see her on the phone as she grabs the wine from the fridge. “Get off the phone.” A growl vibrates at the back of my throat. “And come outside.” Clenching my jaw, the corded braids of tension seize in my neck.

  I step out and move a little closer. She’s standing at the large sliding glass doors. Wiping my moist palms on my jeans, I lick my lips. My heart skips a beat as I inch closer, leaving the seclusion of the trees. I want to be near her. I want to smell her perfume and touch her cheek, feel her skin under my fingertips.

  “Come outside, Chandra.” The softness of my voice floats on the cold air around me. Taking another step closer, I hug the tree line. I’m sure she can’t see me. I’m nearing a jut out of trees. To keep her in view, I need to step out onto the open grassy area. Hugging the branches as best I can, I maneuver around them, moving closer to my prize.

  It’s the perfect night. I’ve let this go on long enough. The pounding of my pulse quickens, beating out a rhythm in my chest. She’s right there, so close. If she would just step out onto the porch, I can take her. I plead silently, begging her to come outside. Saliva coats my mouth, and my breathing is raspy as trembling takes over my body.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “I think the timing of this book tour and the publication of your latest book works great for fall. Especially with Halloween just around the corner,” Adam says.

  “Mmhm,” is the only response Chandra can muster. The wine coats her throat and soothes the pangs of anxiety trying to creep up her spine. Adjusting the blanket, she reaches for the sliding door remote sitting on a little table near her. Her fingers graze it before she yanks her hand back. The hair on her neck bristles. Her stomach drops as her pulse thrashes in her ears.

  “What did you say, Chandra?”

  “Nothing. Keep going. You mentioned a Halloween party?”

  “Yes, it’s at A Page Turner book store. One of the stops on your tour. The owner has set up a haunted forest on his property.”

  Moving towards the wall, Chandra flicks off the interior lights. Squinting she tries to see through the fog to the edge of the trees. She’s having a hard time making out the details, but she’s positive she saw something or someone. Stepping up to the glass door, she scans her backyard. Even though she doesn’t see anything, she decides her back porch may not be such a good idea. She turns towards the kitchen when something along the far-right corner catches her attention. In a thicket of trees, there’s a silhouette. She gasps as she steps back .

  “Chandra? Are you okay? What’s going on?”

  Her eyes bulge, and the instant dryness keeps her from blinking. Chandra’s entire body is engulfed in tremors. Her shallow breaths burn her throat. Her shaking hand makes the wine slosh around.

  “Chandra? Hello? What’s going on?”

  Adam’s high pitch voice and barrage of questions bring her out of the trance. “I think I saw someone in my backyard.”

  “Really? Where? Are they still there?”

  “No. Not now.” Chandra blows out a shaky breath, moving further away from the window. Remembering the lock, she steps to the right, near the edge of the door. Using her foot, she presses the locking mechanism. Eliminating the possibility of the glass partitions being pried open.

  “Maybe it’s the shadows playing tricks on you.”

  She cringes at his response. “Yeah, it probably is,” she says taking two big gulps of wine.

  “Isn’t your neighborhood gated?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “You could always call the guards at the gate. Have them come and check for you.”

  “I could do that.” Chandra putters around the kitchen. Not wanting to be on the phone any longer.

  “What’s the matter?” Adam asks.

  “Nothing.”

  “Tell me.” Adam prods.

  “They will just think I’m crazy. That’s all.”

  “Call them anyway if it will give you peace of mind.”

  “Maybe I will.”

  “Chandra, you’re worrying me.”
r />   “How am I worrying you? What am I doing?”

  “You’ve mentioned you think you’ve seen the same man at a few of your book signings. I also know you don’t like being front and center. But you’re the face of Baker and Son right now. There are some things you have to do. The publishing company is paying you pretty good money. I don’t think I have to tell you what they expect of you.”

  Chandra’s nostrils flare. “I know what they expect of me. That’s for damn sure. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

  “No. You don’t. But sometimes I think you let your anxiety and worry get the best of you. Couple that with you not liking the focal point, it just seems like you make it harder than it has to be.”

  Chandra’s head hangs low. She should never have mentioned the fan to Adam. She doesn’t know what she thought she would get by reaching out to him for help. “Okay. Is there anything else?”

  Adam sighs into the phone. “Nothing really. It can wait until our meeting next week. Chandra, try not to worry. Most fans really are harmless. With that said, knowing you, I think you should alert your security. Please don’t revert to the shy Chandra.”

  Sighing, she swallows the last few sips of her wine. “I won’t. I’ll call security. If nothing else, I’m going to bed. Goodnight, Adam.”

  “Goodnight.”

  Placing the glass in the sink, Chandra scans the backyard, through the kitchen window. Nothing seems out of place. No more shadows. No more boogeymen. She closes the small curtain anyway. Wanting to get rid of that creepy feeling, she closes the drapes on all the first-floor windows.

  She uses the remote for the sliding glass door to engage the smart glass. When she had this door installed, she made sure it had the ability to frost the glass for privacy. She liked being able to keep outsiders from looking in, but letting the sun shine through during the day.

  Theodore weaves in and out of her legs, pawing at them every few turns. “Are you ready for bed?” Picking him up, she snuggles him tight against her chest. Reaching the stairs, she stops. She looks at the security phone on the wall. Taking a step towards it, she reconsiders. Turning back to the stairs, she sighs. Her shoulders droop as she picks up the phone.

  “Security.”

  “Hey, this is Chandra Willis, at 1425 N. Alabaster.”

  “Yes, Ms. Willis. What can I do for you?”

  “You’re going to think I’m crazy. I’m not, I promise.”

  “We get all kinds of calls. What’s going on?” the guard asks.

  “When I came home tonight, I found my garage light on and one of my doors unlocked.”

  “Did you leave the light on or the door unlocked?”

  A slight snicker fills Chandra’s ear. “No. I didn’t. I never do. Then, a few minutes ago, I thought I saw someone at the edge of my back yard. Lurking in the evergreens. Listen, could you send someone to give a quick check?”

  The security guard pauses.

  “Hello?”

  “Sorry, Ms. Willis. We’ll be by in a few minutes.”

  “Okay. I’ll wait to speak with you.” Hanging up the handset on the wall, Chandra heads to the sofa. Theodore curls up on her lap. Scratching his head, her eyes slowly drift shut.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “Closing all the drapes and frosting the glass won’t keep me away, Chandra. It just means I have to wait. And being patient is something I’m very good at.” Walking back to my car, I laugh. Security gates. What a joke. They are manned by men who are paid a few more dollars than minimum wage and don’t really care about the safety of those in their fold.

  Parked across from the construction area, my truck blends in well with the construction workers. No one ever questions it being parked here. “Why would they? They could care less.” Pulling out of the temporary parking area, I turn towards my home. “I think it’s time to get a little closer to you, my beloved.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  BANG!

  Sitting up, she clutches her fist to her chest as her breath pants in and out. Chandra shakes her head, trying to clear the haze.

  Theodore jumps off her lap, hissing.

  “What the hell?” Her eyes dart around the room. The clock on the wall says twenty minutes have passed since she called security.

  Her legs wobble under her weight. The tingling in her chest morphs into a painful sharpness, making it hard for her to take a deep breath. Creeping towards the glass door, she uses the remote to clear the opaque frost.

  A dark blob rests about three feet from her. She can’t make it out. As she steps closer, a knock on the front door rattles her. She blows out a shaky breath, glancing over her shoulder towards the knocking. She turns her attention to the back deck, venturing closer to the door.

  Chandra frowns. She reaches for the deck lights when another round of knocking makes her rethink her boldness. Just as she turns towards her front door, she hears footsteps on the deck. Chandra spins around. She screams, running from the man standing on the other side of the glass.

  “Ms. Willis? Are you okay?” The knocking intensifies. “Ms. Willis?”

  Yanking open the door, she points to her deck. “Someone is out there,” Chandra says, looking over her shoulder before turning back to the security guard.

  The man peers around her. “I don’t see anyone.”

  Lowering her head, she glares at the security guard. “I saw someone on my back porch.” Her brow draws together. She opens her mouth to say something, then closes it. She looks at her glass door. “I swear, a man was standing on my deck.”

  George angles his head to the side. He stares at Chandra with one eyebrow raised. “I think you might have seen my partner, Jeffrey.”

  “Oh,” she says, as instant relief washes over her. “That’s good to know.” She can see the amusement in George’s expression. “Right before you knocked on my door, I heard a loud bang. Like something hit the glass doors. I guess it startled me.”

  “I’m sorry. I sent him around the back while I knocked on the door. I didn’t mean for him to scare you.”

  Nodding, she gives him a half smile. “That’s all right. I think there is a dead animal on my porch.” Her voice trails off. She wonders just how crazy she sounds.

  “You mean this?” Jeffrey says, walking up next to George.

  “What is it?” She leans back as he holds the dead creature in front of her.

  “Looks like a bird may have dropped his prey. A rat or something.”

  Chandra cringes back from Jeffrey and the giant headless rat-like creature dangling from his hand. A few blood drops splatter at his feet. “Oh, my gosh. That’s gross.”

  Jeffrey smiles. “I’m guessing a bird got spooked and dropped his dinner.”

  George smirked at his partner, who moved to stand closer to him. “I bet this is the sound you heard before we showed up,” he points to the dead animal.

  She squints at the two men, no doubt enjoying themselves at her expense. “Did you find anyone on the property?”

  Jeffrey shook his head. “No, ma’am. I couldn’t see any evidence of an intruder. It’s pretty hard to get into this neighborhood, although it’s not impossible. Even though the construction entrance is manned by security, someone could still get in.”

  “That doesn’t make me feel secure,” Chandra says.

  George elbows his partner. “Ignore him. There wasn’t any sign of an intruder.”

  Nodding, she steps back, breaking eye contact as she begins to close the front door. “Thank you for checking. I’m sorry I bothered you.”

  “You’re welcome, and you’re no bother, Ms. Willis,” George says.

  “We’ll dispose of this for you.” Jeffrey lifts the dead animal.

  Chandra grimaces. “Thank you. I hate for it to sit in my bin until trash day.”

  “Call us if you have any other problems, Ms. Willis.”

  Watching as they get into their souped-up golf cart, she shudders at the sound of her death
ly quiet home. Turning around, Theodore is waiting for her.

  She quickly turns the sliding glass doors opaque before scooping up the cat. “Enough spooky excitement for one night. Let’s go to bed.” She scoops up the cat, heads upstairs, and locks her bedroom door behind her.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Tuesday morning

  A loud sound echoes through Chandra’s head like a jackhammer. “No. I don’t want to get up.” Fumbling for the snooze button on the alarm clock, she hits it several times before it shuts off. Rolling over, clutching her pillow, the warmth from the cover lures her back to sleep. The smell of honeysuckle and fresh-cut grass fills her senses. She can feel the soft grass as it squishes between her toes. A light warm breeze blows over the open field.

  Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz.

  The soft fabric of her pillowcase helps block out the annoying bee buzzing around her head. “Go away.” Slowly the buzzing grows louder. Blinking, Chandra takes a chance, looking out from the protection of her coverings. Glaring red numbers fill her blurry vision. “Shit!”

  Chandra pops out of her daze, leaping from her bed. “No, no, no. I can’t believe how much I overslept.” No time to ease into her day, she runs to her bathroom, turning on the shower. “This is going to cut it close.” The warmth of the water makes her feel as if she could melt into a puddle. I wonder how much trouble I would be in if I skipped it. “Jane would shoot you. That’s how much trouble you would be in.” She lifts her face letting the water cascade over her.

  In seven minutes, her hair is washed and conditioned. Barely dry, the towel goes on her head. Naked in front of the mirror, she preps her face with moisturizer. Ogling her boobs, she wonders how much more they’re going to sag before she hits forty. Gone are the days of her once perky assets. “I can’t remember the last time I let someone see me with nothing on,” she mumbles. “Too long, that’s for sure.”

  After applying eye shadow, mascara, and lip color, Chandra checks her face. “At least I won’t scare little kids.” Twisting her head from side to side she inspects her work. “Thank goodness this is a radio interview.” She tosses the towel from her head onto the floor as she darts into her closet.