Chapter 10
I set the alarm myself, then step outside onto the back patio. Then I text Fiona to let her know about the alarm, and receive a thumbs-up emoji.
At least the girls are safe inside with the security system armed.
It’s enough that I can breathe a little easier.
I quickly walk the perimeter of the yard and I’m surprised to find footprints along the fence line behind the neatly trimmed shrubs.
They could be old but I don’t think so. They’re too fresh, considering the recent rain.
I follow the depressions until they stop at the edge of the grass at the rear of the pool house, then turn off my phone’s flashlight and tuck it away. One of the windows in the back is open—the bathroom window. It’s cracked slightly, as if someone didn’t shut it all the way.
I admit to myself that I haven’t even checked the pool house since dumping my bags in it, and curse the stupid oversight. I’m better than that.
Or I normally am, when I’m running on more than adrenaline, caffeine and rage.
Carefully, I slip my fingernails under the window and ease it up. Then I hoist myself up and through it, wincing as my feet squeak against the sink countertop. But there’s nothing for it, so I quietly step down onto the tile and peer out into the open area.
The pool house has a bathroom, bedroom, and a combined open space where the kitchen and living room meld together. That area opens up right onto the pool and patio. From the bathroom doorway, I see a flicker of light in the bedroom. Like a flashlight.
I slip into the open area, darting for the kitchen where I grab the biggest knife from the rack. Holding it with practiced ease, I move toward the bedroom doorway. I can see a figure hunched over the side of the bed—where my bags are.
I slap my palm against the light panel, turning on all the lights at once.
A feminine scream fills the air as Hannah whirls toward me, her hoodie falling back to reveal her face. Her eyes widen when she sees the knife and she screams again.
“Shut up,” I snap as I pull out my phone. “What are you doing here?” I demand as I start texting Garcia to let him know who I’ve found sneaking around in the pool house.
“I forgot some stuff and was picking it up.” Her tone is defensive, as if offended I’m even questioning her. As if she’s not the one breaking in.
“So you broke in here in the middle of the night?”
Officer on the way. Two minutes out, Garcia responds.
I knew there were officers sitting on the neighborhood and I’m glad I won’t have to wait long for them to arrive. I quickly respond with a thumbs-up emoji, then remotely unlock the front door of the pool house with my phone—and let Garcia know so the cops don’t bust in and break stuff.
Hannah steps forward, as if to leave, but I block the doorway as I pocket my phone.
She narrows her gaze at me, clearly debating if she can take me on.
“Cops are on the way.” I hold up my phone as I turn on the camera. “And you’re on video. So sit tight and wait.”
She grits her teeth, now full-on glaring at me. “You’re holding me hostage!”
“You broke into your former employer’s place…
” I look at my phone, see that it’s after midnight.
“The day after her funeral, to steal from her.” I have no idea if that’s why she’s here but it’s a good guess.
“Save your faux outrage for someone who believes it. You’re nothing but a petty thief.
” Yeah, I’m totally goading her, but maybe she’ll say something she regrets while I’m recording. Something I can use.
Hannah had a flimsy alibi and I’ve now seen how easy it is for someone to get into the neighborhood.
Or maybe not easy, but it’s clearly not impossible.
She’s here now when the cops were supposed to be watching the place.
For all I know, she never left the neighborhood after I saw her at Ryan and Ava’s.
But where would she have gone in between? Something I need to figure out later.
Instead of reacting, she sits on the edge of the bed and crosses her arms over her chest while simultaneously crossing her legs. Her expression is haughty and annoyed, which just frustrates me.
When I hear the front door open, I lean out of the bedroom and see two uniformed officers striding in, weapons out.
I don’t bother waking up Ethan, mostly because he was drunk and I don’t think he needs to be talking to the cops in this state.
And I don’t want the girls to see any of this, not when they’ve been through so much.
“She’s in here. I have no idea if she’s armed or not.”
Hannah huffs in annoyance, but luckily doesn’t put up a struggle as the female officer steps into the bedroom.
“This is all a misunderstanding,” Hannah protests even as she’s patted down and handcuffed.
After putting the knife back up, I show the other officer where I’m pretty sure Hannah broke in, then give my written statement. It takes longer than I planned, especially since I have to go down to the station. Luckily neither Ethan nor the girls ever come out.
I mention my curiosity about how Hannah got in here when this place was supposed to be locked down. Hopefully the cops will once again ask the neighbors to look at their personal security videos. I’m not optimistic, but if they don’t, I’ll figure something out on my own.
I also know that she won’t be held very long. A petty B&E like this with no stolen items or weapon on her? She’ll be out tomorrow if she has a good lawyer. And something tells me she does.
But at least they’re going to put an official trespass order against her. Which might not do anything, but I like that this has been recorded.
After I leave the station, it’s still in the early morning hours where it’s dark and quiet, so I head back to downtown Seattle instead of going back to Ethan and Cara’s. I wonder if I’ll ever stop thinking of it as Cara’s? I shake the thought off as I make my way into the city.
It’s time for a little breaking and entering of my own. But unlike Hannah, I don’t plan on getting caught.