Charli glared her answer, no smile to lighten the severity of the situation, although a grin hovered and was hard to hold back. “Might have. She’s a sneaky intruder skulking around on private property.”
“Blake-e!”
“She’s joshin’ you, Candy. But you should have called first, you know that, right?”
Whiny, Candy protested, “Then how could I surprise you?”
“Oh, for God’s sake,” Charli had had enough. “I’m going to get Kayla out of the bathroom, and we’re going to bed.” Before stomping away, she poked Blake in the chest. “You, clean up your ahh… mess.”
***
“Kayla, it’s me, Charli. It’s safe to come out now.” She knocked softly so as not to frighten the girl. “Kayla?” Twenty seconds passed, now Charli banged on the door with more force. “Kayla, are you okay, honey? Let me in.”
Still more time elapsed before Charli finally heard the lock click, and the door open a few inches. Brown eyes, swimming in tears, streaks down both sides of her face, Kayla surveyed Charli and then let out a small sob. “Are you alone?”
Charli smothered her smile and answered seriously, “Yes, kiddo. The intruder was one of Blake’s female neighbors come to visit.”
“I heard screams and a crash.”
“She dropped her bottle of wine after I snuck up on her. Blake arrived to help her clean up.”
Kayla stepped into the open, her body still shaking. “Blake’s here? I waited to hear the police sirens but nothing happened. I thought maybe the killer had overpowered you and was making you do what he said. Knowing you were out there all alone terrified me, Charli. It’s such a huge risk.”
“Get that crap out of your head, Kayla. The killer has no idea where we are. We’re safe and as soon as the boys back home catch the asshole, we can go back and testify so he’ll be put away for the rest of his life. That’s the plan, right?”
Kayla’s arms were crossed over her chest and her hands were rubbing the opposite shoulders. In a frayed, too-small nightie, the straps barely holding together, she looked scared, sick and exhausted.
Charli felt bad for her and softened her manner. “Come on, kid. Let’s get you back to bed.”
“Is Blake staying?”
“No. Why would he?”
“Because someone else could break in.” Seeing the growing derision on Charli’s face must have reminded her that she had protection… an FBI agent. “I’m sorry. You’re here, I forget. But maybe he could be your back-up or whatever they call it. Do you think he would?”
Blake spoke from the entrance to the hallway. “Sure, Kayla, I’ll sleep on the couch.” He saw the fury Charli tried to hide and added, “Just for tonight so you girls can get some rest.”
“Fine.” Charli tried not to spit out the word… but to say it softly. Considering both of the others flinched and then quickly nodded, maybe she hadn’t softened her tone as much as she’d thought she had.
Nevertheless, she’d had enough. “Come on, kiddo.” She gave Kayla’s long hair a playful pull and said, “I’ll check the closet and under the bed. Will that satisfy you?” Teasingly, she put her arm around Kayla’s shoulders and led the girl toward the bed. As they walked closer, Charli could feel the resistance inside the other girl.
At the bedside, she asked, “What’s wrong, Kayla?”
“I’m scared. Did you know there’s a door over there that leads outside?”
“Sure. There’s one in my room, too. They’re access to the patio. It’s a nice idea, almost like having a balcony.”
“But there’s a huge window in the door and people can break through glass pretty easily. It’s not very safe, don’t you think?”
Charli softened. She remembered a time before her parents had passed, when she’d been scared to go back to her bedroom after a bird had flown into her window and killed itself. She’d mourned that bird, and when she lay alone, she couldn’t seem to stop hearing the awful noise. Crying out, her father had arrived to pick her up, throw her over his shoulder and haul her into bed with him and her mother, to sleep between them.
“Feel better now, rascal?” he’d asked. And she had. So much so that she’d slept with them for days until her mother had put her foot down. From then on, her dad had slept on a pallet on the floor beside her bed.
Until one night, she’d seen him arch his back and moan, as if in pain. Guilt-ridden, she’d swallowed her fears and told him, “Go back to bed, Daddy. I’m not scared anymore.” His words still resonated. “You’re one brave little girl, Carolina my love. I’m proud of you.” As if she was a General in an army, he’d saluted her and walked out, making sure the door was open and the hall light on.
Shit!
“You want to sleep with me, tonight, rascal? Just tonight, we’re not making a habit here. But I need to get some rest and so do you. Stop bobbing your head like one of those dolls, it looks goofy. Okay, come on. Let’s get some sleep.”