8
Tegyn
After I ended the call,I immediately dialed 911. “Someone just broke a window in my house,” I whispered.
“Are there intruders?” the dispatcher asked.
I listened hard. “I don’t think so. I’m not sure.” I took a deep breath. “I’m afraid to check. I’m home alone.” I sighed. “Mostly because I live alone.”
“Can I get your name, please?”
“Oh, sorry. Yeah. Sure.” I took a breath. “My name is Tegyn. Tegyn Sellers.”
“Thank you, Tegyn. Can I get your address?” the woman asked.
“Yes,” I murmured before spouting off the house number and street. I wrapped my free arm around my body. “How long?” I asked sadly.
“For the police? They’re on their way,” the woman assured me.
“Okay.” I rubbed my forehead. “I’ve been working with Sergeant Bowers. I’ve been receiving threatening letters.”
“Be sure to tell the police,” the dispatcher urged. “I’ll stay on the phone with you until they get there.”
“Okay.” I felt braver having someone on the phone with me. I carefully wandered down the hall, leaving the lights off, hoping that living there would give me an advantage over any intruder.
The heat had started blowing and probably wouldn’t stop until the window was repaired or replaced. From the wind whistling down the hall, I could already trace the source back to my bedroom. My heart sank and I felt even more vulnerable. This place had always been my safe haven, only now it wasn’t. I paused outside the open bedroom door. I wanted to be go in, but fear had me lingering in the hall.
My pride in being an independent, strong, single woman had been had been stripped away. Having a man around didn’t seem like such a bad idea anymore, although the idea of Trent being that man brought me no relief. And this growing feeling of helplessness was crippling me. I had no idea what to do anymore. I just wanted someone to tell me what to do and I realized I had been counting on Sergeant Bowers to lead me through this. Outside, I suddenly saw blue lights cruising down the road to my house.
“They’re here,” I announced to the dispatcher who’d been waiting quietly on the other end. Without thinking, I ended the call and rushed to the foyer to let them in.
I had the door open even before the first knock. “Hi,” I murmured breathlessly at the officer standing at the door. He was an older white man with a hint of salt and pepper hair peeking out from under the brim of his hat. Behind him stood a younger officer who was thin, black, and serious. I ushered them both inside.
“You called about a possible intruder?” the lead officer asked.
I shook my head. “No. I called about a broken window. It happened while I was sitting in my office.” I gestured to the first room off the foyer.
Both officers looked around and stared out the window, no doubt trying to decide my view. “So, I take it you saw nothing?” The first officer asked.
“Nope. The garage blocked my view and with my car in front of it, the obstruction was complete.” I frowned.
“Why don’t you park in the garage?” the younger officer asked.
I licked my lips. “Well, that would be because there’s no automatic door opener. So, I would have to leave the garage door unlocked in my absence, get out of the vehicle, lift the door, drive in, turn off the car, close the door, and then lock it. I’m thinking it’s safer for me to simply lock the car, bolt for my door, and enter my house. You?” I blinked a few times.
He chuckled. “Got it. Makes sense.”
“Let’s check the broken window,” the older cop murmured.
“I’ll look around the outside,” the younger cop announced.
We both nodded and then I lead the officer down the hall to my bedroom. As soon as I flicked on the light, I inhaled sharply. There was baseball on the floor of my bedroom.
“Yours?” he asked.
I rubbed my temples. “Do I look athletic to you?” He stiffened and I immediately felt guilty. “No. Not mine. I’m sorry. This is stressful…”
A second later, before he could even accept my apology, there was shouting coming from outside. The officer immediately rushed from the room, his radio crackling to life.