Torched (12 page)

How silly of me
. She had no reason to be leery of him. She didn’t even know him. She turned the main lock, then the deadbolt, and opened the door. His smile broadened as she pushed open the screen door.

“Hello. May I help you?”

“Uh...yes,” he answered nervously.

As his gaze flitted over her body, she wondered if wearing a revealing low-cut sweater was something she would have to rethink the next time a stranger came to the door. She repositioned the sweater to hide her cleavage. He looked back up, seeming embarrassed.

“I...I...um, let me start again.” He chuckled. “I’m Reggie. I live about two miles down.” He pointed to the right, and she glanced toward the trees. She had forgotten she had neighbors, because of the distance between houses.

“Hi. I’m Tara. How can I help you?”

She noticed his charismatic smile and deep dimples, and wondered what he was so happy about.

“Well, everyone pretty much knows everyone else out here, so I thought I’d stop by and say hello. So, welcome.”

“Thank you,” she answered with a weary smile. She didn’t mind the gesture, but couldn’t help being hesitant. “I haven’t gotten out much yet, still unpacking and stuff. I’m only going to be here until spring.”

“Yeah, that’s what Jeff’s dad mentioned. We’re used to it. He’s gone every winter.”

He paused. It seemed as if he was studying her.

“I hope you enjoy the place. The neighborhood is pretty quiet.”

“Yes, I noticed,” she agreed.

“Are you staying here alone? I mean, I saw a guy with you when you were unpacking a few days ago. So, I figured you two were married,” he added.

“He’s my boyfriend,” she answered, remembering how normal it was for neighbors to be curious about newcomers, even at her mom’s place.

“Oh, that’s nice,” he said.

“He’ll probably be back soon,” she added, not wanting anyone to think she was alone and vulnerable, no matter how smoking hot he was.

“I see,” he said, a smile on his lips. He pulled out his wallet and rifled through the pockets. “Well, as the houses are so far apart, if you need anything, just give me a call...day or night...and I’d be more than happy to help you out.” He passed her a card and she stared at it.

“Thank you,” she said, slipping into her pocket. “I really should be going, but thanks for stopping by, Reggie.”

“Take care, Tara.”

His smile deepened again, revealing those dimples as he waved and left. She watched him climb into his car before she shut the door, and reached in her pocket to look at his card as she walked back to the kitchen. There was no way she’d call him, but she slid the card into one of the kitchen drawers, just in case. As she made supper, she mulled over his visit. It wasn’t a bad thing to know a few of her neighbors, especially with Jake on the loose. Suddenly, she didn’t feel so alone.

***

E
ven standing in the bushes at the side of the property, Jake could tell there was something about the way the man looked at Tara. He glared at him as he walked back to his car. He could be an obstacle, and he needed to keep an eye on him.

He noticed it had been a couple of days since Kevin and Tara were together. Jake followed her everywhere, from the grocery store to the mall and even on her morning jog that day. He was convinced his brother wasn’t around. He just didn’t know if it was intentional, or a coincidence, but he was going to find out.

Jake turned his attention back to the man he’d seen on her doorstep, whose car had now disappeared around the bend in the road. His clean-cut appearance and strong build was the type he could see Tara going for, and her smile as she talked to him showed she could easily forget about Kevin. It gave him hope. He continued to watch her house, all of his attention on the task at hand.

The spot he’d chosen was perfect. It was close enough to watch the front entrance and driveway, and far enough to have a direct view of her bedroom. He could see her whenever she went in, or decided to dress for bed. The room remained dark. His intention had been to wait until she made her way to the bedroom. However, he had waited long enough. If he waited much longer, he ran the risk of getting caught.

He had switched cars and was now driving a black Ford sedan he had stolen for the evening. It was less conspicuous than the awful green Volkswagen, which he had hidden at an abandoned building at the edge of town. The key was to stay ahead of the police, and anyone else searching for him.

“Tomorrow’s another day, my dear. I’ll be back.” He pulled out from the dirt road between the bushes, heading to the place he called home.

A
s the days went on and Tara stopped receiving calls from Kevin, she was relieved he was bowing out gracefully and giving her the space she’d asked for. She missed him horribly, but she knew it was for the best. They had been best friends for so many years, she barely knew what to do with herself now that he wasn’t around. Deep down, she wished he would have fought harder for her.
Maybe we weren’t meant to last.

Christmas drew nearer and the weather grew colder. Soon, the snow would be an almost daily occurrence. Tara loved the snow, and more so after attending college in Alaska. Still, a part of her worried about being alone and stuck out in the country during a snowstorm. She was thankful the murders had ceased for the past week.

She turned the television on, checking the weather channel for the latest forecast. While a commercial was on, she considered going to stay with her mom, who had found a gorgeous apartment in town. Things were improving in her mother’s life. As soon as she had put the house up for sale, she received an attractive offer.

What was even better was her mom’s date—a man named Michael Castleman who lived in town—had turned into a steady relationship almost overnight. She looked happier every time she and Tara met for coffee, or to shop for things for the new apartment. Maybe this could be the night Tara took her mom up on her offer to stay over.

The meteorologist came on the screen for the detailed forecast. She turned it up to hear what he had to say.

She turned the television off. It was already after eight at night, so she decided to stay put. She walked to the fireplace and placed some logs in the hearth. It was the perfect night to warm up beside a cozy fire. She had it going quickly; there were perks to using kindling and a lighter. It was something Kevin would have gawked at, knowing she enjoyed building a fire the old-fashioned way when they were out camping. She sighed aloud, wishing she could be with him.

As the weather had been mild before, she had not been using the furnace. With the impending drastic drop in temperature, it was best to turn it on. She went to the thermostat to adjust the settings, and listened to see if the furnace would fire up. When it didn’t, she remembered something about furnace instructions on the note Jeff’s dad had left in the kitchen. She found it and took it with her to the basement.

The pale yellow light that illuminated the room offered very little to keep Tara’s mind from imagining something horrible happening. It was the kind of basement most people would shy away from entering, especially at night. The dirty walls did not help. They cast shadows from the dim light, so much that Tara considered doing without the extra heat. She had never been down there before, and had no reason to, before this cold spell.

She went to the furnace and flipped the switch as the instructions had indicated. She wasn’t sure what she needed to wait for, but there was no sound to suggest it had turned on. She touched one side, to see if it was warm. She felt nothing. She looked around the furnace, and her gaze wandered to the back where water was dripping down from a pipe coming out the side. She groaned. It didn’t look good.

She headed back up the stairs, and that’s when she saw a mouse running across the basement floor.

“Eeekkk,” she hollered, and ran upstairs two steps at a time until she was safely in the hallway. “I just want this night over with,” she mumbled, panting breathlessly.

Back in the living room, she spotted her phone on the coffee table. Staring at it, she considered calling Kevin. She needed heat. What if the pipes froze? She shook her head. She didn’t want Kevin to think she needed him. She wanted to do this on her own.
But how?

Finding Reggie’s business card, she stared at it, a bit apprehensive. He did tell her to call whenever she needed help.
He might not even know how to fix it. But I guess it’s worth a try.
She dialed his number, still feeling strange about it.

“Hello?” he answered.

“Hey, Reggie, it’s Tara...Tara Matthews.”

There was a long pause in which she speculated that he didn’t remember her. They had only seen each other a few times since he had welcomed her to the neighborhood, but each time they had exchanged cordial waves. She opened her mouth to say something, but he spoke up first.

“Yes...Tara. How’s it going?”

“I’m fine, thank you. I was just wondering if you knew anything about furnaces.”

“Why? Is it not turning on?” he asked.

“Yeah, something like that. I see water coming from a pipe. I’m not sure if I have a leak. I was hoping I could persuade you to come take a look.”

“Sure. I’ve been down in that furnace room before to help another winter tenant a few years back. I’ll be right there.”

“Thank you.” She hung up the phone and paced back and forth.
I did the right thing.
She did her best to convince herself she was simply asking a neighbor for help.
But why do I feel so guilty?
She knew the answer. Kevin.

She heard the doorbell only minutes later. When she opened the door, he was standing there holding up a toolbox.

“Hi. I wasn’t sure if you would have tools.” He smiled, relaxing her.

“Good guess,” she replied, laughing. “I’ll show you where the furnace is.”

They headed to the basement stairs. The light was still on.

“Be careful. I saw a mouse down here.”

Reggie let out a deep laugh behind her, and she felt silly thinking he might be afraid like she was. She stood aside to let him pass, and he immediately got to work. She hung back to give him the room he needed, and listened to him pounding and mumbling as he talked to himself. Then she heard a more excited tone.

“I think I got it,” he said.

He stayed a few more moments, kneeling beside the furnace, and stood up when the motor started.

“Give it a little while, and you’ll be nice and toasty.” He put his tools back into the box.

“Really? Just like that?” she asked with bewilderment.

“It was just the secondary switch down there,” he pointed. “It’s on now, and you’ll only need a few more minutes for upstairs to warm up.”

“Thanks so much,” she said as she followed him up.

“No problem,” he answered. “It’s a good thing you called me when you did, because we’re looking at a monstrous snowstorm.”

“Yeah. I know. That’s why I figured I’d better check on it.”

She stopped in the hallway, wondering how to thank him.

“Can I make you some coffee before you go? Just to say thanks.”

He nodded. “It’s no problem at all, but sure, I’d love some coffee.”

He followed her to the kitchen and sat at one of the breakfast chairs while Tara turned on the percolator.

“Not to be nosey, but your boyfriend...is he out of town? I haven’t seen him lately.”

“I...no, he’s not here right now,” she answered hesitantly, not wanting to give too much away.

“I know it’s probably wrong of me to ask, so if you want me to shut up, just say Reggie...shut up.”

She laughed, turning to face him. “I’m not going to tell you to shut up. He’s just not here right now, that’s all.”

He laughed, tossing his head back. “Great, and you don’t need to say another word. But I will say he must be a damned fool if he lets a beautiful woman like you stay all the way out here by yourself.”

She turned back to the coffee pot, hiding her blush. It had been a long time since anyone, other than Kevin, flirted with her. When the coffee pot finished percolating, she poured two cups and handed one to him. She was about to take a sip when she heard her phone ringing. Kevin’s number appeared on the screen. She started to ignore the call, but then changed her mind.

“Speak of the devil,” she mumbled. She answered, unsure if it was the correct thing to do. “Hello?”

Reggie dismissed himself from the table so he could go to the restroom, and she waited impatiently to hear Kevin’s voice on the other end.

“Tara? I’m so glad you answered,” he said.

She sat at the table, relieved to finally hear his voice.

“Me too, Kevin,” she replied. She had wanted to phone him so many times but couldn’t bear to give him mixed signals. “How are you?”

“I’m okay, but I miss you so much,” he confessed.

“Me too, Kev. Did you need something? Is it about your brother? Parents?”

“I just wanted to see how you were doing. Things have quieted down, Tara. I was thinking maybe I could come see you. I...”

“Tara, do you...” Reggie started to say something, but she put her hand over the phone. She didn’t want Kevin to think the worst.

“Who’s that?” Kevin asked.

“A neighbor,” she answered nonchalantly. “Hold on.” Turning to Reggie, she explained, “It’s my boyfriend. Hang on, let me finish talking to him.” She returned her attention to the phone. “Sorry, Kevin. What were you saying?”

“What’s your neighbor doing there so late at night?” he asked. Tara picked up on the jealousy in his tone.

“I couldn’t start the furnace,” she answered.

“And why didn’t you call me?”

“I didn’t want you to worry, and he lives right around the corner.”