― Primo Levi
My dinner with Nat and Clare went beyond all expectations.
I wasn't sure if Nat would bolt when he learned about Clare channeling a ghost and my telling him he might be in danger from Ray Hull and his henchmen, but Nat surprised me as usual and swore his undying allegiance, or words to that effect.
Regardless, by the end of the night I was convinced I had two soulmates and felt I could face almost anything.
By the time I got back home it was past eleven and was too keyed up to go to bed.
I decided to make a coffee but found to my dismay I was out of milk or cream.
I remembered the convenience store a few blocks away so I decided to walk over and purchase a few items.
It was a mild late spring night with a full moon and plenty of bright night clouds that lit the sky.
I enjoyed the walk, bought a few more items than intended, and was walking back home with two heavy bags in each arm.
Suddenly, my skin began to crawl and I felt vulnerable and exposed as if I were being watched.
I cursed myself for being careless and quickened my pace. Here I was warning Nat and Clare to be vigilant and I was out walking alone near midnight.
Stupid, I muttered under my breath.
And then I looked up and saw a figure step out of the shadows about twenty feet ahead.
He was blocking my way, waiting for me.
I panicked and gazed furtively around looking for a way to escape.
I turned to head back to the store and at that moment a second figure appeared blocking my retreat.
I was trapped.
I couldn't breathe and felt a tingling sensation spread throughout my body that made me think I might faint.
The two figures closed in on me now and just when they were about ten feet away, a dark Ford Interceptor pulled up to the curb and a huge man got out.
The two figures melted back into the shadows.
"Good evening, Mr. Sterne, " the man called out. "Luther Crowe asked me to meet with you. Can I offer you a ride?"
"A ride would be fine," I replied and shakily walked to the passenger door of the vehicle, now being held open for me.
"Let me take your parcels," the man said, relieving me of the bags and putting them in the back seat.
Once we were in the vehicle he said, "I'm Detective Jason Trent of the Hamilton Police and thought I might have a word with you."
"Of course," I replied, " I was making coffee―would you care for some?"
"No cop would pass on a hot cup of coffee," he chuckled. "Were those doughnuts I saw in the bag?"
"What else goes well with coffee?" I laughed.
While I was filling the mugs and setting out the doughnuts, the detective checked the house to make sure it was secure.
"I'd advise a security system complete with cameras, door and window sensors and exterior motion lights. I know a man if you're interested."
"I'm interested," I said sombrely.
"Good, and don't worry about your friends―we have a team watching their houses for now, and we'll re-evaluate the threat over the next few days."
"I'm impressed. I didn't know Luther had such good connections with the police."
"Well, I've known Luther a long time but I'm also looking into the activities of Ray Hull and Arthur Reid. I should mention I investigated your father's death too. Luther suspected foul play but we couldn't find enough evidence to lay a charge."
He saw the colour drain from my face and smiled compassionately.
"Don't worry, Marcus, this is personal with me. I want Hull and Reid put away and I'll do whatever I can to make that happen."
"I thought I was being paranoid, but now that I know, I'm afraid. How much danger do you figure I'm in?"
"Enough to warrant police protection until we can gauge the level of threat. You are to not go out after dark, and confine your activities to public places.
The huge man stood up to go.
"You may see unmarked cars outside your residence for a while but I'll be in touch and keep you in the loop. Oh, and Ahmed will give you a call tomorrow about setting up a security system."
"Thanks, Detective Trent, I feel reassured now that you're on the job."
"Call me Jason. I knew your father, Marcus―he was a good man. This isn't just an assignment―it's something I want to do to honour your dad and satisfy my suspicions about his death."
I let him out and watched while he entered his vehicle and pulled away.
Five minutes later, an identical, unmarked Ford Stealth vehicle slid up to the curb directly in front of my door.
The town I once thought mistrustful of strangers now pulled closer around me with unexpected concern and support.