Danaë Chapter 16
The new work week started yesterday. The majority of the cases at the clinic were summer accidents.
Due to the holiday weekend, we were packed yesterday and today.
My ass dragged as I went out to my car at the end of the day.
I’d driven myself again. Heath had an eight a.m. in-person meeting two hours away, so he had to leave at five this morning to swing by and pick up Ben.
He tried to get me to let him send someone to drive me to work, then bring me home.
I told him it was a waste of time. If Holly and Julie were about to cause problems, they would’ve done something by now.
Heath had been reluctant, but in the end, he gave in.
He made me promise to stay alert. And that I had to take my gun with me.
I assured him I would. I was lucky Johann was gone on a mission.
If he’d been here, I know my man would’ve asked him to do it.
I missed Johann. He’d been gone for weeks. And as usual, he wasn’t able to communicate. I hated every time that happened. I prayed nightly that he would be okay. I couldn’t wait to tell him about the house and the engagement.
It was six o’clock. Traffic was at its usual rush hour mess. As a result, I avoided the main roads and stuck to the lesser-used streets. The sun was shining in my eyes, so I had the visor down low. I was being extra careful because of it.
“Damn it,” I muttered as I came up to the usual route, and I saw the road was being worked on.
There was a detour sign. When did they start this?
I wondered. Turning on my blinker, I made the right-hand turn as instructed.
It took me to a less populated area of Hampton.
One that was checkered with older businesses and more vacant buildings.
At one time, it must’ve been a bustling part of the city.
But as with all cities that expand, those sections became less desirable.
I pressed on the brake. The light ahead was turning yellow.
As I coasted to a stop, placing me at the light, I scanned around me.
Nothing was visually concerning, but my body was tense, and it had been growing since I made the detour.
So much so that I’d slipped my gun from my purse and had it in my lap. My windows were up and my doors locked.
As I glanced from left to right, I saw movement.
In general, noting someone walking on the sidewalk wasn’t anything to pay attention to.
However, in this instance, it was the way the person moved.
There was a sneaky feeling to it. Add to that it was July, thus hot and humid outside.
Despite this, the person, who, based on size, was a man, wore a hoodie with the hood up.
His head was bent downward, making it difficult to see his face.
And his hands were buried in the hoodie’s pockets.
My inner alarm switched to blaring. My one hand tightened on the steering wheel.
The other reached down and palmed my gun.
I pointed it toward the passenger window, but below the window level, so he didn’t see it.
My eyes kept flicking up at the traffic light and back to the man.
He was drawing closer. I held my breath.
Then, as the light changed to green, he ran toward me.
And his hand was out of his pocket. He was holding a gun!
I stomped on the gas and fishtailed, taking off.
I sank low in my seat, trying to make myself less of a target.
I cringed as I waited for the sound of gunshots, but none came.
After about a mile, I slowed down. My heart was pounding. I dropped the gun back on my lap.
My hand fumbled, touched a button on the steering wheel, then I called out the name when the automated voice asked for it. Seconds later, I heard a ringing. After two rings, Heath’s voice came over the speakers in my car.
“Hi, baby, tell me you’re almost home,” he said cheerfully.
“H-Heath,” I said raggedly. It was all I could get out.
“Danae, what’s wrong?” he barked out.
“I’m on my way home. I just…I took the back way home, and there was a detour. I took it. Someone approached the car while I was at a light. He had a gun,” I quickly told him.
“Son of a bitch! Please tell me, you’re unharmed.”
“I’m not hurt.”
“Good. Take a few deep breaths for me. You’re hyperventilating, baby.” His voice had softened.
I did as he instructed, but I kept glancing back in the rearview mirror like I expected to see the guy running after me. There were other vehicles, as expected.
“Okay, I’m bringing you up on the locator app. The important thing is that you’re unhurt. Next, we need to get you home. Do you feel alright to keep driving, or do you need to pull over?”
“I’m okay to drive, I think. I’m ten minutes from home according to the GPS.”
“Good. Keep coming. I’m headed your way. Don’t stop for anyone, Danae. Just get yourself home. If I’m not here, make sure the garage door is fully closed before you get out. Go inside, lock the door. Keep the alarm on. Stay on the line with me.”
I mentally grasped onto his voice and the fact that he was coming as a lifeline. I was five miles from home when I saw headlights flash in the rearview mirror.
“I’m right behind you, baby. Keep going. You’re doing great,” Heath’s soothing voice informed me. Tears sprang back in my eyes. I had to blink them away to see the road.