Run to Ground(94)

“Of course.” Jules closed the door and relocked the dead bolt, feeling a little uncertain. Although she didn’t think Megan would mind that she’d let Sherry inside before they opened, it still felt strange, as if Jules was doing something wrong. “What are you doing out this early?”

“Oh well…” Sherry made a rueful face. “The studio where I do crossfit, Energy?” When Sherry looked at her, Jules nodded. She was pretty sure she’d driven by the small gym on her way to Dee’s school. “I usually go there very early to work out, but I forgot they’re doing remodeling this week, so they’re closed. My battery died, and my car wouldn’t start, so I figured I’d just walk to my friend’s house—he’s just a couple of miles away. Bad idea.” Sherry gave a little laugh. “I didn’t even make it halfway before the rain started pouring down so hard I couldn’t see. That’s when I saw your car here, so I thought I’d see if I could get you to let me in.”

“Make yourself comfortable—well, as comfortable as you can get.”

“Thank you.” Instead of sitting, Sherry wandered around the space. Jules couldn’t help but notice that, even soaking wet and enveloped in a bulky rain jacket, Sherry was gorgeous. No wonder Hugh seemed interested. The woman was so stunning that Jules felt dowdy in her waitress uniform and comfortable, yet very ugly shoes.

Shoving her feelings of inferiority to the back of her mind, Jules resumed pulling chairs off the tables. “So…your friend lives close?”

“Yes. I’m not sure if you know him,” Sherry answered absently as she peered through the blinds covering the glass door, probably at the sheets of rain pouring from the sky. “Gordon Schwartz.”

The name sounded familiar, but Jules couldn’t put a face to it. “I don’t think I’ve met him yet.” Maybe it came from being a cop, but Theo seemed to know every person in town. If this Gordon was more of a boyfriend than a friend, then Jules was going to have to shelve the matchmaker-type plan she’d hatched featuring Hugh and Sherry. She stifled a laugh. After such a short time of being with Theo, she’d already become one of those people, the ones who wanted to make every person as couple-y and sickeningly happy as she was.

“Understandable. You’re new here, and Gordon likes to keep to himself.” Then, as if Sherry had read her mind, she added, “Speaking of friends, it looked like you and Theo Bosco have progressed past the buddy stage?”

Instantly, Jules’s face flamed hot, and she fumbled with the chair she was moving, dropping it the last few inches to land upright, but with an embarrassingly loud clatter. “I…um…why do you think that?”

Sherry laughed. “Please. If you could’ve seen the pair of you the other day. I don’t think Theo’s ever cuddled anyone like that before in his life.”

“Um…” What do I say to that? Jules thought. It was still so new that it felt odd and awkward to talk about her and Theo. Just thinking about her and Theo was enough to fluster Jules, so discussing it was not going to go well. She decided to change the subject. “What about you and Hugh? You two seem to light up some sparks.”

She laughed again. “Me and Hugh?” Sherry asked. “No. I don’t think I could date a cop. Besides, my dad never wanted that for me.”

Pounding on the window made them both jump.

Jules peered out to see another waterlogged figure. It must be the day for rainy-day refugees, she thought with a small huff of laughter. The person turned his head, and his face was lit by the streetlight. Jules’s chuckle cut off abruptly as she jerked back a step.

“Who is it?” Sherry asked.

“Norman Rounds.” Her heartbeat had taken off at a gallop, and she started breathing quickly—too quickly. Jules reminded herself that she and Sherry were in a locked building. Help would arrive long before Norman could reach them. “I should call Theo.”

“Why?” Sherry sounded surprised. “He’s a little strange, but he’s harmless. Norman’s good friends with Gordon. I’m sure he just wants to get out of the rain. You don’t need to let him in if he worries you, though.”

“He blew up my barn!” The words came out too loud and high-pitched. She needed to stay calm. Jules exhaled a shaky breath, trying to think rationally.

“Norman blew up your barn?”

The pounding resumed, and Norman started yelling something, but the thunder and the clatter of the rain on the roof made it impossible to understand. Jules was a little grateful for that; she didn’t think she wanted to know exactly what her crazed, bomb-happy stalker was shouting.