"I will tell you one thing, Patty. He's not going to get away with this," Laura says.
"Mom, one way or another, he's going to get what's coming to him. I promise you that. I am, however, concerned about yours and dad's safety. This guy is threatening me. He knows that I know he killed Solia." I stare at my mom with her head in her hands. She starts crying again.
" I always hoped that your sister was still alive. Are you sure she's dead?"Her expression is one of pure agony. Chaney walks over and hugs my mom, showing how sweet of a person she really is. My mom cries even harder, into her shoulder.
I hold back tears of my own and say, "One thing we can't do is go to the authorities. I don't trust them any more than I can throw them. We have to keep an eye on his house. When he leaves, we have to have eyes on the shed and the abandoned building in the desert."
"Okay, Chaney and I can keep an eye on the shed and the building, you and your mom keep an eye on the house. Patty, if he approaches you, don't treat him any differently than before. We don't want him on to us." He's already on to us, but I don't comment.
She nods and turns to me, "Tibby, does that mean you are going to stay with me at the house." Her blue eyes brighten at the prospect of me living at home again. I smile at her. The thought of living here at home is comforting. I haven't had a place to call home in a couple of months. There's also a downside to living back home. The emptiness in the house from Solia's absence is a persistent feeling. My mom definitely feels lost without her. Maybe me watching over her can bring her a little piece of mind.
"Yeah, mom. Is that okay?"
"Yes! I miss you."
"Okay, it's settled then. Laura, you and Chaney should stay here for a few days. We can keep an eye on the car and make sure it's still parked in front of their house."
"Well, when should we go back to the shed?" She sounds worried.
"When his car isn't in front of the house. I don't think he will leave any more clues tonight. Let's relax and get some sleep. You girls can shower, make yourselves at home. Chaney, if you want to swim you can."
Chaney's eyes widen and she starts jumping up and down in excitement. "Yay!!! Okay...wait, I don't have a suit to wear." She pouts, dejectedly.
"You can wear one of mine. I have some in my dresser. They should fit."
"Well, alright. Patty, thanks for having us.Laura says, smiling at her. " She glances at me and asks, "Where should we sleep, Tibby?"
"In one of the guest rooms. They're upstairs on the right side of the hall."
" I think I'm going to turn in for the night. Chaney, you are going to stay with me."
"She can have one of the other rooms. It's no trouble," my mom says.
Laura shakes her head. "No thank you, we don't want to impose. She will stay with me." Laura's tone says it all. My mom is about to object, but I raise my eyebrows at her.
"Mom, we need to keep an eye on Chaney. If you hadn't noticed, which I know you had, she looks like Solia. His type."
My mom has a shocked expression on her face. She's silent as Laura and Chaney head upstairs. "Oh my god! Tibby, I didn't realize he had a type. Is that why the other girls that are missing around this area look like Solia too?"
I walk over to her swiftly and grab her shoulders. "Yes, mom. I hate to break it to you, but he's a serial killer. Now, let's go to your room. Happy!" I call her name. We left her downstairs with the leftover dinner on the table. She comes bounding up the stairs the minute I call her name. She has a goofy smile on her face, causing me to laugh quietly. "Were you eating the leftovers? Huh? I guess I better bring in the dog food Laura has for you."
"So she really is dead, then?"My mom interrupts. Her hands are covering her mouth, stifling her cries. My smile in response is grim. I wrap my arms around her shoulder and follow her into her bedroom. "Tibby, will you sleep in here tonight?"
"Sure mom. I can do that. As long as Happy stays too. Why don't I run you a bath? I will be back in a little bit, okay?" I tell her softly.
"Okay." She's sobbing as I walk her to the master bathroom with Happy following close behind. I start her bath and walk out quickly, shutting the door. I'm eager to check this guy's house to make sure he hasn't left. I hurry down the stairs and pass the living room on my way out. I do a double take and notice the empty food containers on the floor.
I hear footsteps and turn around to see Chaney coming down the stairs silently. "Tibby, are you checking his house?"
"Yes." I whisper.
"I'm coming."
"Okay, does your mom know?"
She shakes her head, "No, but she won't care as long as I'm with you."
I nod and signal her to come. "Let's go." We leave the house in silence and walk up the street. The darkness of the night in the neighborhood is eerie. The streetlights are dim, barely illuminating the street. As his house comes into view, we both gasp and look at each other.
"Shit, Tibby! The car is gone!"
"Yeah, shit."
"What should we do? Go wake up mom and leave to go to the shed?"
"We should probably do that, but let's pay his mom a visit. See if we can find anything in his house."
She shakes her head,"Tibby, I don't know about this. What if he finds out?"
I walk over to the edge of their well kept yard, glancing in the windows to see if anyone is home. "So what? He walked into my house. Listen, Chaney, if you're scared, go back to my house." She walks up slowly and checks her surroundings, clearly paranoid he'll come back.
"Fine. Let's go see what's in this asshole's house."
"That's my girl," I say smiling. We knock on the white gated door and wait for someone to open it.