25

With that, there was a distinctive click and Alaric was gone. She slowly placed the phone back on her desk.

“Who was that?” Anita asked.

She debated lying, but decided not to. Might as well get it out there now. “Alaric Harper.” She replied,

Anita nearly came out of her seat. “As in, the Detective…. Detective Alaric Harper, right?”

She nodded as she stood. “You know he's the one in charge of Christopher's case,"

“I see.” Anita stood, her green eyes twinkling. “So what were you doing talking about lunch plans with him?”

The way Anita said “him” made her uneasy. She headed for the door. “He's been helping me out…You know, with the car trouble, the notes and the cameras in my apartment.”

“But that doesn’t explain lunch or dinner or why your face was red through the whole call.” Anita ducked her, blocking the exit. “Are you seeing Alaric?”

Vanessa laughed. “No. We’re friends.” The word sounded lame even to her ears.

“Are you telling me the truth?”

Her brows pinched. “Yes. I’m telling yo