The next few weeks were uneventful. Once again, Melissa was beginning to let her guard down and hope the chaos might be over for once and for all—and once again, she was wrong.
It was Friday, and Melissa was heading home from the office. She and a friend she hadn’t seen in a while, Harley, were going to get together over the weekend. Harley had also worked as a psychologist in the same medical group. When Harley’s husband, Kolby, a high-end clothing store manager, was transferred to SoCal, they hadn’t seen each other nearly as much.
Harley would be driving up tomorrow, arriving at Melissa’s place in the early afternoon. She planned to visit other friends in the area over the weekend but would be staying at Melissa’s house.
Harley was aware of the problems Melissa was having with Katie and whatever sick, twisted associates Katie had doing her dirty work. They communicated once a week or so by email or phone, and Melissa had kept her friend filled in regularly.
Melissa pulled the car into the driveway, careful to survey her surroundings before exiting. She would probably do this for the rest of her life, even if Katie never struck again.
She still hadn’t been able to figure out Patty. It was almost like Katie had possessed her—but unless Katie was dead, that wasn’t possible. More than likely, Patty was connected to Katie and had made an appointment just to get revenge. She was a damn good actress, though. Melissa couldn’t deny that.
Melissa opened the garage door and pulled the car inside, keeping an eye on her rearview mirror for anyone sneaking up. Once the car was parked and turned off, she lowered the garage door and exited the vehicle.
She went into the house, placed her handbag on the kitchen counter, and then went out front to get the mail.
After giving it a quick once-over, she busily began preparing dinner. She was just about to pull ingredients from the refrigerator to throw in her crockpot when she saw a movement slither along the baseboard on the opposite wall.
She quickly turned to inspect the area—but saw nothing.
Again she opened the refrigerator, and again she saw a dark streak of movement in her peripheral vision.
She slammed the refrigerator door shut and faced the wall.
Nothing.
Then a creamy, red-eyed rat hopped into the room, followed by a black rat, then a brown rat, and then a gray one.
If Melissa were the type to scream or panic, she would have done so right on the spot. She was terrified of rats. In fact, she hated all rodents. Rats were just about the worst of all rodents. She didn’t care how intelligent people said they were—they disgusted her.
And Katie Nyland knew this.
Melissa had never wanted to kill Katie more than she did at that moment. All she could do was grab her phone and run out of the house into the garage, glad she hadn’t taken her shoes off yet. She called Nanette and asked her to come over. There was no way Melissa was going back inside to pack an overnight bag herself. She didn’t know how many of the damn things were in there, but just one was enough.
She hung up from Nanette and then called the police. The officers dispatched inspected every door and window but were unable to identify a point of entry.
“You’re kidding me!” Melissa said, stunned. “She had to have gotten the damn things in there somehow.”
Shortly after, Nanette arrived with her husband, Ryland. Melissa quickly relayed everything to them.
“When are you going to catch who’s been doing this to her?” Nanette asked. “Melissa has been terrorized for months now.”
“We’re doing all we can, ma’am. I’m sorry, but the person not only gave a false name when she was a patient of the good doctor here, but we simply have no trace evidence to go on yet.”
“Well, you’re coming with us!” Nanette insisted.
“Harley’s coming tomorrow,” Melissa said, more pissed than scared.
“I know. You told me. You can call her from our place. She’s welcome to stay with us, and after they leave, Ryland can bomb the hell out of your place for you.”
“I don’t know what I would do without you two,” Melissa said gratefully. “You’re lifesavers.”
“Don’t worry about it. That’s what friends are for,” Ryland told her.
At that point, Melissa realized she was going to have to make a serious change in her life.
ns216.73.216.54da2
and then Add to home screen.