Connor kept one hand against the curtain and watched the gray sedan idle at the curb.
Behind him, Sarah’s apartment had gone silent.
Even Gracie seemed to understand that the grown-ups had entered a conversation children were not supposed to hear.
The sedan remained there for several seconds.
Connor could not see the driver clearly through the windshield.
He saw only the outline of a man and the pale movement of a face turning toward the building.
Then the car moved again.
Slowly.
Not like someone who had taken a wrong turn.
Like someone who wanted to be noticed.
Connor released the curtain.
“Who is he?”
Sarah picked up the grocery bag and began putting things away with unnecessary concentration.
“I don’t know.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
“It’s the only answer I have.”
Gracie hovered near the doorway holding her book against her chest.
Sarah saw her and softened immediately.
“Sweetheart, put the book in your room for me.”
“But—”
“Please.”
Gracie looked at Connor, then obeyed.
The moment her bedroom door clicked, Connor turned back to Sarah.
“How long has the car been showing up?”
“A few weeks.”
“And you never called anyone?”
“Who would I call?”
“The police.”
Sarah gave him a tired look.
“And say what? A man parks on a public street? He hasn’t touched me.
He hasn’t spoken to Gracie.
Most days he doesn’t even get out.”
“Most days?”
Sarah stopped arranging the groceries.
Connor saw the mistake land on her face.
“He got out once?”
She leaned against the counter.
“Last week.
I was coming home.
He asked if I was Sarah Webb.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.
I took Gracie upstairs.”
“What did he do?”
“He said he only wanted to talk.”
Connor’s jaw tightened.
“And yesterday?”
“He stayed in the car.”
Connor looked toward the bedroom.
“Gracie noticed him.”
“I know.”
The shame in Sarah’s voice irritated him more than the gray sedan had.
She was embarrassed because her daughter had noticed danger before she could hide it.
Connor knew people who built careers around creating that kind of fear.
He also knew exactly what fear looked like when it settled into a household.
A chain always fastened on the door.
