only words he wanted to say were more personal.
“My home and cell numbers are written on the back. Call me anytime, day or night.” Nick stepped around her and through the open door, turning back he added, “Lock up tight. Goodnight.”
Nick headed for his truck, wondering if he should even leave her the choice of staying at the motel. Driving out of the parking lot, he considered turning around, packing her bags, stuffing her into the passenger seat, and not letting her out of his sight again until the stalker was tucked away behind steel bars.
Night Waves
Night Waves
Chapter Twelve
Cali woke to warm sunlight filtering through the thin, dusty curtains. She peeled her eyes open to check the time, but something shiny on the lamp above the clock caught her attention.
She recognized Serena’s silver necklace draped across the old, faded lampshade. Terror immobilized her, preventing her from moving a muscle. She tried to scream, but no sound erupted from her throat.
Nick.
Adrenaline shot into her veins, providing the strength to take action. She searched her purse and found the card with his number. She grabbed her phone and dialed his cell, but her hands trembled so violently she had to press end and re-dial the number.
“Sheriff Justice,” he answered on the second ring.
“N-Nick. He’s been here. Inside my room.” Her words shook as heavily as her hands.
After only a moment’s hesitation he answered, “Get out. Now. I’m on my way.” Rustling came across the line as if he were already in motion.
Her breath caught. Her gaze darted across the room. Lord, the intruder might still be inside!
Keep me safe! She tugged the sheet from the bed, wrapping it around her nightgown as she stood. Her cell phone landed on the carpet with a dull thud. Cali ignored it as she scrambled for the door. She yanked it open and fled outside with her heart pounding and blood rushing through her ears.
Outside, everything appeared normal, contrasting the chaos running through her mind. Cali searched for anyone or anything unusual. She appeared to be the only one out of place, standing on the walkway wrapped in a thin, white sheet. Another motel guest came out of a room a few doors down and gave her a curious glance before turning and walking in the opposite direction.
Cali started to head for the pool area to wait for Nick, but the sounds of children laughing and splashing inside the pool kept her from venturing toward it. In case the stalker had not left yet, she didn’t want to put anyone else in danger, especially not children, so she settled onto a bench seat and waited.
Her cell phone rang. Not daring to retrieve it, she let it continue to ring.
“Did you see anyone suspicious?”
Cali jumped and turned. Deputy Owen stood behind her, breathing heavily with his hand resting on top of his pistol.
“I didn’t see you drive up. Where did you come from?”
“I was across the street at Miller’s Restaurant having breakfast.” He gestured behind the motel. “The sheriff called, told me what happened. Did you see anyone?” he repeated the question as he crept to the opened door.
“No.”
“Stay here.” He drew his pistol and disappeared into the room.
Her heart beat as if she were running a marathon. She stood, preparing to flee if the stalker came barreling outside.
A moment later, Deputy Owen strolled out. “It’s clear.” He holstered his pistol, hitched up his belt and placed his hands on his hips.
Cali released a sigh and let the tension ease from her muscles.
“Are you OK?”
“I’m not hurt.” She wouldn’t be honest if she answered “yes.” She was too shaken to be OK.
Her cell phone rang again. She headed toward the room, but nearly ran into Deputy Owen’s outstretched arm as he blocked the doorway.
“Be careful not to touch anything but your phone.”
“OK.”
He dropped his arm, stepped to the side, and let her pass. Cali scooped her cell phone from the floor and sat on the
“My home and cell numbers are written on the back. Call me anytime, day or night.” Nick stepped around her and through the open door, turning back he added, “Lock up tight. Goodnight.”
Nick headed for his truck, wondering if he should even leave her the choice of staying at the motel. Driving out of the parking lot, he considered turning around, packing her bags, stuffing her into the passenger seat, and not letting her out of his sight again until the stalker was tucked away behind steel bars.
Night Waves
Night Waves
Chapter Twelve
Cali woke to warm sunlight filtering through the thin, dusty curtains. She peeled her eyes open to check the time, but something shiny on the lamp above the clock caught her attention.
She recognized Serena’s silver necklace draped across the old, faded lampshade. Terror immobilized her, preventing her from moving a muscle. She tried to scream, but no sound erupted from her throat.
Nick.
Adrenaline shot into her veins, providing the strength to take action. She searched her purse and found the card with his number. She grabbed her phone and dialed his cell, but her hands trembled so violently she had to press end and re-dial the number.
“Sheriff Justice,” he answered on the second ring.
“N-Nick. He’s been here. Inside my room.” Her words shook as heavily as her hands.
After only a moment’s hesitation he answered, “Get out. Now. I’m on my way.” Rustling came across the line as if he were already in motion.
Her breath caught. Her gaze darted across the room. Lord, the intruder might still be inside!
Keep me safe! She tugged the sheet from the bed, wrapping it around her nightgown as she stood. Her cell phone landed on the carpet with a dull thud. Cali ignored it as she scrambled for the door. She yanked it open and fled outside with her heart pounding and blood rushing through her ears.
Outside, everything appeared normal, contrasting the chaos running through her mind. Cali searched for anyone or anything unusual. She appeared to be the only one out of place, standing on the walkway wrapped in a thin, white sheet. Another motel guest came out of a room a few doors down and gave her a curious glance before turning and walking in the opposite direction.
Cali started to head for the pool area to wait for Nick, but the sounds of children laughing and splashing inside the pool kept her from venturing toward it. In case the stalker had not left yet, she didn’t want to put anyone else in danger, especially not children, so she settled onto a bench seat and waited.
Her cell phone rang. Not daring to retrieve it, she let it continue to ring.
“Did you see anyone suspicious?”
Cali jumped and turned. Deputy Owen stood behind her, breathing heavily with his hand resting on top of his pistol.
“I didn’t see you drive up. Where did you come from?”
“I was across the street at Miller’s Restaurant having breakfast.” He gestured behind the motel. “The sheriff called, told me what happened. Did you see anyone?” he repeated the question as he crept to the opened door.
“No.”
“Stay here.” He drew his pistol and disappeared into the room.
Her heart beat as if she were running a marathon. She stood, preparing to flee if the stalker came barreling outside.
A moment later, Deputy Owen strolled out. “It’s clear.” He holstered his pistol, hitched up his belt and placed his hands on his hips.
Cali released a sigh and let the tension ease from her muscles.
“Are you OK?”
“I’m not hurt.” She wouldn’t be honest if she answered “yes.” She was too shaken to be OK.
Her cell phone rang again. She headed toward the room, but nearly ran into Deputy Owen’s outstretched arm as he blocked the doorway.
“Be careful not to touch anything but your phone.”
“OK.”
He dropped his arm, stepped to the side, and let her pass. Cali scooped her cell phone from the floor and sat on the
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