Jillian Chantal

This week, the writers of Tuesday Tales are writing to the word prompt, thanks. I’m still in my story where the heroine can talk to spirits. In this scene, she is speaking with her detective boyfriend.

Check out the other tales here. Happy Thanksgiving.

A knock at the door brought Aneto running to it and barking like a mad man.

Since he didn’t usually behave that way, and after the man in the Silverado followed her the day before, Lu approached the door with trepidation, phone in hand with already the 9-1 dialed for 9-1-1. All she had to do was press one more one if she was in danger.

Through the door, she called out, “Who is it? I have the police on the way.”

“I am the police. I come bearing gifts. Will you let me in?”

She took a deep breath and canceled the call. Opening the door, she tried to say something about why she was scared, but Aneto barreled past her and banged into Malcolm’s legs.

“Hang on, Dog. I have something for you, too but let me put these down.” He handed a bakery box to Lu. “I didn’t get coffee, but I figured you had some.”

Malcolm leaned down to pet Aneto who was still going wild at seeing him.

“I think my dog likes you more than he likes me.”

“Because to him, I’m like the fun dad. I never discipline him and am usually bearing treats.” Malcolm pulled out a small chew bone from his jacket pocket. Aneto took it, retreated to his spot he’d vacated at the knock at the door, and started the gnawing process.

“What was all that about having the police on the way?” Malcolm looked over his shoulder. “Should I be worried that they’re going to be storming in to arrest me?”

“Of course not. I only had the first two numbers dialed.” She walked toward the kitchen, box in hand. “What did you bring?”

“An eclair for me and a bear claw for you.”

“Yum. Thanks.” She poured water into the reservoir for the coffee.

“Are you going to tell me why you thought you needed to call for assistance? Has anyone been bothering you?”

“Please don’t pull out your little black notebook.” Lu grinned. “I was concerned that Aneto went flying to the door barking his head off. That isn’t normal for him. Heck, he even maintains his equilibrium when spirits manifest in front of him. The behavior was out of the ordinary and since that man chased me and Jackson yesterday, I guess I got a bit paranoid.”

“It never hurts to be cautious.” Malcolm leaned against the counter and watched the water drip into the coffee.