Trey
Trey and Nico walked in silence until they reached the southern end of the beach where a line of houses, including Autumn’s, were built along the coastline. Lights shone from most of the houses and patios. Through open windows Trey could see people watching television or having dinner. A few were out on their patios and lifted a hand in greeting as the men passed by. As they drew nearer to Autumn’s place, Trey noticed a half-empty wine bottle and three glasses on the table. The patio lights were on, but no one was in sight. The shower was probably over by now. Maybe Autumn was inside cleaning up? The shades were drawn, but the lights in the living room and kitchen were on. Strange. Why would she have closed the shades if there were still guests? It wasn’t like her to leave wine and glasses outside if she and her guests had gone inside.
Trey stopped at the edge of the patio.
“Do you see that?” Trey pointed at the table.
“It looks like she had guests and they were interrupted.”
Something shiny caught his eye. Upon closer look, he saw it was the rhinestone on a sandal. Autumn’s sandal. He knew that pair. They were the ones with the rhinestones fixed on the top strap. Why would there be only one? It’s not as though someone kicked off one shoe and left the other one on. And it was by the door, as if it had fallen off. As if someone shoved her.
Call it instinct or a premonition, but fear crawled up the back of his spine. He thought of the strange man who’d lurked outside her house and followed Pepper. “Something’s not right. Call Rafael. Tell him to get down here.”
Rafael, former cop, would be good backup. He peeked around to the front of the house. He lowered his voice. “That’s Violet’s car. I saw her earlier at the store with Pepper. They were on their way to the shower. That means they’re still there.”
Nico didn’t answer. He was already on the phone with Rafael. After explaining the situation, he nodded in response to whatever Rafael said on the other end of the phone. “Yeah, okay. You’re right. I’ll do that. Right. Okay.” He hung up, muttering. “He’s coming but said to call 911. He and Stone were together. They’re both coming.”
While Nico called 911, Trey tiptoed up to the side of the house to see if he could get a glimpse into the house. What he saw chilled him. Autumn, Pepper, and Violet sat together on the couch. A man stood over them with a gun.
He ran to Nico. “Tell the cops not to turn their sirens on. He’s got a gun on them.”