unnerved her.
“You think I’m dealing drugs?” She blinked rapidly. A soft breeze sent leaves skittering across the sidewalk then up into the air, like a minicyclone, much like her thoughts.
“I never said that. The FBI has been tracking a package that’s gone missing. We didn’t know if the dealer got to it before we did or if it got misplaced. But after tonight, I think whoever shipped it is still looking for it.”
Pinpricks of realization washed over her scalp and shoulders. “You’re not in town to help your grandfather. You’re here to investigate a drug deal.”
“Yes.” The single word came out clipped.
“And you didn’t tell me because you think I’m involved.” Ellie hated the squeaky quality of her voice. “I’m not,” she added out of desperation.
Johnny studied her a minute. “I believe you.” His cool tone made her wonder if she believed him.
She cocked her head and was about to say as much but something stopped her. “What does this mean?”
Johnny huffed in frustration. “I’d feel better if we had this discussion someplace less out in the open.”
“Tell me what it means.” Ellie crossed her arms and stood there like a stubborn preteen determined to get her way.
“It means I’m investigating drug trafficking in Williamstown. There’s some nasty stuff out there.”
“So you slinked into town just like you did ten years ago, only this time you’re an FBI agent and not a rookie cop.”
He jerked his head back as if her words had hit their mark.
“One thing remains the same,” she said, as the pounding of her heart filled her ears, “you’re lying to people to supposedly solve a case.”
Johnny hiked his chin, a determined look in his eyes. “I’m here because of the recent drug overdose. I couldn’t come blazing into town with a sign on my back. I’ve been honest with you tonight and I trust you’ll keep the reason I’m in town in confidence.”
Ellie shook her head, not knowing what to think.
“Listen, Ellie, someone thinks you have their drugs and they’re willing to break into your store and attack you to get them.” Johnny pinned her with his dark gaze.
“I don’t have the package.” She lifted a shaky hand and hugged the strap of her purse closer to her body.
“They don’t know that.”
The wind whipped up and rattled the branches of the trees, sending shadows dancing on the sidewalk under the street lamp. Ellie sniffed the air. Rain. She looked up at the starless sky. She pulled on the sleeves of her sweater and tucked her hands inside. As warm as it was during the day, the evenings tended to cool down quickly. That’s how it was in early autumn in Western New York.
“Are you cold?” Johnny asked.
“Yes, and more than a little freaked.”
Ellie quickened her pace, suddenly in agreement with Johnny’s need to get her home. “Maybe the attack was just some kid fooling around. They’ve had trouble with kids and graffiti at the old mill. I read something about it in the paper,” she added after he gave her a quizzical look. “Maybe he wanted to grab some of my paint and I got in the way.”
“I don’t think that’s the case.” Johnny’s matter-of-fact tone made her inexplicably angry.
Truth be told, neither did she. The intruder had asked about a package.
They turned up her driveway and Ellie slowed, her headache worsening. “You’re not helping your grandfather get the house on Treehaven ready to sell?”
“I hope to convince my grandfather it’s time to downsize. The house is too big for him. But he’s reluctant. Mostly, it’s a cover to allow me to conduct the investigation without drawing suspicion.”
Ellie felt the right thing to do would be to thank him for his honesty, but after their history, she couldn’t muster the words.
“I live in the apartment over the garage,” Ellie said instead, scanning her surroundings. Neat homes set back from the street with lots of shrubbery. Shrubbery an attacker could hide behind.
A band of fear tightened around her chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Thin lines of stress accented Johnny’s eyes. “Lock the doors. I’ll give Officer Bailey a call. Couldn’t hurt to have extra patrols in your neighborhood.”
Ellie made an awkward sound; a cross between disbelief and fear.
Johnny touched her hand. “Whoever attacked you tonight was pretty clumsy. They also made a rookie mistake using a national shipping company to transport illegal drugs. Every indication points to a low-level drug dealer who’s stumbling around.”
“So, you don’t think he’ll come and kill me in my bed?” She forced a smile and a strangled laugh sounded on her lips.
The dark shadow on his face made his expression difficult to read, but she sensed a smile. “I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Warmth crept up her neck. She didn’t want to ask him how he intended to do that.
“Instead of staying in the garage apartment, maybe you could stay in the main house?” Johnny spoke in the way a person does when they’re constantly assessing the situation, trying to figure out what’s best.
“Ha! And tell my mother, who already thinks the gift shop is not a fiscally sound idea, that I was attacked in the back room the night before I even opened?” And moving back into her old room would send her plans of independence back to step zero. Living above the garage was bad enough.
“I’ll take that as a no.”
“You said it was some rookie stumbling around...” She knew she was grasping at any assurances he threw her way.
“Rookie criminals get desperate, too. Especially if they think you have something that’s theirs.”
“I don’t.” Ellie’s shoulders slumped in frustration.
“They don’t know that. I’m afraid you won’t be safe as long as they think you do.”
“Well...” Ellie sighed heavily “...today didn’t go as I’d planned.” She dragged a hand down the length of her ponytail and rested her elbow on the railing of the stairs leading to her apartment above the garage. She wasn’t quite ready to call it a night. She’d never be able to sleep now. But she couldn’t very well invite him in for coffee. Johnny wasn’t exactly her friend, even if he had come to her rescue tonight.
Inwardly she bristled at the notion. She was not going to continue her trend of letting men rescue her. She could stand on her own two feet.
Johnny
