As she promised the sheriff, Gabriella kept a low profile over the next few days. It was not difficult to do, as she was equipped with a computer, Wi-Fi, and access to food delivery at her fingertips. Her backyard was semi-private, and her neighbors did not bother her as she spent her days combing through the internet, playing online games, and avoiding social media.

Initially, she had sworn off looking into any articles which might involve the mess she had left behind in New York, but soon boredom and curiosity got the best of her and she found herself trolling the web for bits of information. To her chagrin, she saw that the fervor had not subsided in her absence. If anything, her abrupt departure had caused more speculation in the gossip columns.

How much longer will I be looking over my shoulder? This is such a mess, she thought. How is this even happening? Is there anything I can do that will make it right?

Her personal email had almost crashed her computer, inundated with messages from her agent, agencies, and reporters deigning to know where she had gone and when she was returning.

Gabriella dared not respond, lest someone track her internet protocol address.

The responses could wait, especially in light of what she was learning through the media.

“New York mayor, David Charlotte, says he deeply regrets his actions and begs his wife, children, and constituents for forgiveness in his indiscretions,” Gabriella choked aloud. “Alison Charlotte, stoic and poised, has urged the public to remember all that Charlotte has done for the city of New York and to forgive his personal misgivings as she has.” Screaming to no one in particular, she belted out, “What a dick! How dare he drag me into this mess? How can his wife put up with such a lying piece of shit?”

“Are you talking to your computer?”

Gabriella whipped her head to the side, shielding her eyes in the bright autumn sunlight directly in her line of sight.

“Hello Sheriff Lapin,” she sighed, closing the screen before he could see what she was reading.

She felt red stain her tanned cheeks and reached for her glass of wine. Gabby took a long sip, eyeing the sheriff with slight suspicion.

“It’s ten o’clock in the morning,” Lapin commented, looking reproachfully at her beverage choice.

Gabriella’s eyebrows shot up. “And? I am on my own property and look, not being a public nuisance!”

His mouth became a tight line, but he didn’t respond to the baiting. She watched as his eyes scanned the yard.

“How is everything going?” the cop asked, and she peered at him.

“Did you come by to check up on me?” she asked defensively. “I haven’t even left the house.”

He shook his head.

“No,” he replied. “I came to see how you’re doing.”

The answer took her by surprise, but she refused to let her guard down.

Don’t let his incredible good looks distract you from the fact that he has it in for you, she told herself.

“Everything is fantastic!” Gabby replied with feigned cheer.

The sheriff scowled at her.

“You don’t need to be sarcastic,” he retorted. “I just came to see if you needed anything…”

He trailed off and she stared at him expectantly, waiting for him to finish his thought.

“Yeah,” she answered when he did not continue. “I need to get out of this town and get back to my life in New York, but that isn’t likely to happen any time soon.”

The sheriff’s brow furrowed as he watched her intently.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” she demanded. “Is there something on my face?”

Cameron smirked. “No.”

Again she waited for him to continue, and she found herself growing annoyed with his presence, despite the attraction she felt toward him.

He really is keeping tabs on me as if I am some common criminal. When I get back to New York, I am going to see about buying this town with him in it and making his life miserable.

The idea almost gave her a sexual thrill, and she wondered idly if it could be done.

Yeah, you’ve had enough wine. You’re drunk, she thought, snorting to herself. She took another swig. Might as well keep drinking. Nothing else to do around here anyway.

“Have you noticed anything suspicious in the neighborhood?” Cameron asked, ignoring her actions and tone as if he could sense her inherent desire to fight with him.

Gabriella’s eyebrows shot up. “Why? Was there a crime?” she demanded, glancing about furtively as if a killer might be lurking in the bushes.

“No,” Lapin sighed. “Nothing has happened…”

Gabriella began to wonder if she had missed something in her slightly intoxicated state, but she got the sense that the sheriff was only speaking in circles to irritate her.

“Okay, well, nothing happening here either,” she told him shortly. She looked pointedly at the gate, as if silently willing him to leave.

He seemed to understand the gesture immediately and nodded, averting his vivid blue eyes from her face. “If you see anything or…” Once more he trailed off, and Gabriella felt her temper flair.

“Oh for Christ’s sake, spit it out!” she snapped.

The sheriff’s face became a mask of anger.

“Never mind,” he growled, spinning to leave the small backyard. “Forget I stopped by.”

“Done!” Gabriella called to his departing back.

“And maybe lay off the wine,” the sheriff shot as he closed the gate.

She stared after him for a long moment, her mind trying to reconcile what had inspired him to stop by.

Forget about trying to figure out that grouch, she thought, shaking her head. He’s probably a product of this town; too much isolation from the rest of humanity. They likely all lack people skills, just like the driver in the accident.

Gabriella realized she had another problem she had yet to contend with: getting a new vehicle. Her car had been completely mangled in the wreck. There was no salvaging it.

I don’t even know if I should call my insurance company.

She realized that the other driver, Bob Jacobs, had likely already contacted both of their insurance companies.

Shit! No one can find me through an insurance claim except the insurance people, right?

She rose from the cast iron chair and headed back into the house for another glass of wine. What else was there to do, after all? Drinking, Candy Crush, and sleeping were her life. It steered her away from the thoughts of paranoia which seemed to plague her when her mind started to go.

It would have been a fantastic vacation if not for the circumstances.

Damn you, Cameron Lapin. Why did you have to distract me from my perfectly oblivious day?

Pouring the strong liquid into her glass, Gabby returned to the yard. Dark clouds began to roll in, blocking the sun, which had shone so brilliantly only moments before.

Oh, nice work, Lapin, she thought angrily. You even ruined the weather.

Sighing, she closed up her computer, knowing that rain was inevitable, and returned to the house.

As she slipped back out the sliding doors to retrieve her glass, she was struck by the sense that someone else was in the yard.

Her eyes, somewhat bleary from the four glasses of wine she had consumed, scanned the property, a surreal feeling crossing through her as if she was in a dream state. Had the sheriff returned for something else?

His words echoed in her mind.

“Have you noticed anything suspicious in the neighborhood?”

She began to feel her skin prickle, but she noticed nothing out of the ordinary.

He got you worked up now. Great, she chided herself with annoyance. That was probably his intention the entire time. Why didn’t he just let you pack up and leave town when you told him you were going? It’s obvious he doesn’t want you here. What kind of game is he playing?

Gabby seized her drink and stormed back into the house, slamming the glass doors behind her. She turned to close the vertical blinds, and as she did, a flash of lightning illuminated the sky.

It was then that Gabriella saw a man standing by the shed, staring straight at her.