Project Produce(33)

I’d just watched someone move out of that apartment over the weekend, but I hadn’t seen anyone move in. As casually as I could, I closed the blinds, then ran to the kitchen, turned off the music, and grabbed Gloria’s binoculars. When I returned to the living room, I made certain I was out of sight and then counted to three. Dropping to my knees, I thrust the binoculars through the blinds and blinked.

“No way.” I stared at another pair of binoculars looking right back at me. A real Peeping Tom? No one would ever believe me, though I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried. Do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do. The music from the Twilight Zone floated through my brain.

First Cat Woman, then Inspector Gadget, now a Peeping Tom. I frowned. Something was definitely up. If Gloria didn’t have anything to do with this, then maybe Dylan did. Dylan’s job was pretty important to him. Important enough to use me to get the bust. I had a hard time believing any man would be concerned about me or do something nice for me without having an ulterior motive. But how could I complain, since I was using him for my project. Or maybe the Peeping Tom really was Flasher Freak. Lord, I didn’t know what to think anymore.

When the other binoculars slipped out of the window, I decided not to over-think the situation and just go for it. I was getting good at being more assertive and standing up for myself. Tossing my binoculars to the floor, I jumped to my feet and grabbed my cell phone. “You’re not getting away that easily, you sicko.” Then I dialed Dylan’s cell. By calling Dylan, I figured I’d find out if he was behind this Peeping Tom. If he wasn’t, then it wouldn’t hurt to have a little backup.

“Mac, I was just thinking about you. I have to admit, I’m a little surprised you called.”

I bet he was. I didn’t have time to find my coat, or the Peeping Tom would get away. Praying my instincts were right, I pulled up the blinds, yanked open the window, and climbed out onto the fire escape. “I’m in hot pursuit.”

“Of what, more food?” He chuckled.

“Excuse me?”

“I’ve seen the way you eat, remember our date?”

“Funny. And it wasn’t a date.” I shimmied down the ladder, shivering all the way in my sweats, long sleeve T-shirt, and a pair of slippers. “Shoot, I forgot to bring a weapon. Though my last weapon had backfired... literally.”

“Okay, not funny. What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m chasing down a Peeping Tom.” I heard a thud. “Dylan? Are you there?”

“Yeah. I dropped the phone.”

“Oh, God, I hope he didn’t see me.” I ducked behind a parked car on the side of the road.

“Huh?”

“The binoculars are back in his window.”

Dylan cursed.

“Oh, wait. They’re gone again.”

“Callie, get your small-town ass back in your apartment. I’ll be over in a minute.”

“I can’t. He’ll get away.” I crouched lower and stayed out of sight while I formulated a plan.

“No, he won’t. Trust me. I’ll be right there.” I heard a door close, then he started breathing heavy.

“What are you doing?”

“Jogging.”

Snort. “You picked a heck of a time to go for a run.” I heard a clatter across the street and peeked over the car’s hood but didn’t see anything. “Look, I can’t wait anymore.” My apartment didn’t have anything beneath the fire escape ladder, but the apartment across the street had a row of bushes.

“No. I mean it,” he snapped.

“I have to do something.” My slippers were soaked, and my fingers numb. I stepped away from the car and looked across the street. The bushes didn’t look that high, and I’d run track in high school. Maybe if I hurdled over them, I’d be able to reach the ladder from the other side.

“Callie, I said get inside, now,” Dylan said.

“Why are you whispering?”

“Because I’m right--”

“Look, we don’t have time for this. I’m going to stall him. Just hurry up and get here before I die.” Taking a deep breath, I sprinted across the street as fast as I could and then vaulted over the bushes.

A head popped up. “What the?”

“Look out,” I yelled.

“Holy sh-uuuuuugh.”

Wham! I flattened someone good. Lying on top of the man with my phone pressed to my ear, I looked down into his face and blinked. A pair of shocked blue eyes sparkled up at me. “D-Dylan?”

He pulled his phone away from his ear and clicked it shut. “Told you I was in the area,” he wheezed. “Dammit, Callie. Why didn’t you listen to me?” He looked me over and shook his head. “You have no business being out in the snow without a coat or shoes, pretending you’re a member of the SWAT team, for Christ’s sake. What are you, on drugs?”