Faithful Shadow by Kevin J. Howard Read Free Book Online Page A

it, Rich!” Kelly placed a hand to her heart and took a deep breath. It felt as if her heart was trying to push itself right through her sternum. “You almost gave me a heart attack…again!”
    “I told you I was stopping by after nine.” Richard looked at his wristwatch. “I’m only seven minutes late.”
    Kelly hurried over to the front doors and unlocked them, throwing them open to give Richard a hard hug, pulling him inside to lock the doors behind him.
    “What’s going on?”
    “Someone is staring at me.” Kelly tapped the window. “I saw him standing over there. Wearing some kind of green reflective stuff on his shirt. Maybe a fireman.”
    Richard looked out the window, straining his vision to look across the dark parking lot. “I don’t see anyone out there now.”
    “Maybe he saw you and ran off.”
    Richard got up from the bench and went to the back door. Kelly grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back into the shop.
    “What are you doing?”
    “I’m going to have a look.”
    Kelly shook her head, holding out her hands to ward off the terrible idea. “What if the guy is some kind of crazy murderer or something?”
    “Highly doubtful.” Richard gave her a quick peck on the lips and then turned back toward the door. “Besides, I don’t want some horny nut chasing after my girl.” Richard opened the door and came around to the window, holding up a finger to tell her this should only take a moment.
    Kelly sat on pins and needles as she watched him through the glass, pleased he was so brave and angry he hadn’t listened. She knew he was more than likely right. She’d probably seen the moonlight reflected off the broken shards of a green beer bottle or something. There was probably a simple explanation but her gut told her this wasn’t a normal situation. Something had been watching her, something with a green glow to its eyes like some kind of comic book super villain affected by radioactivity. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, finding it difficult to spot Richard. He’d disappeared on his way to the woods; something must have grabbed him. She relaxed, feeling like a big idiot as he stepped into view and waved, the woods only a foot or two behind him. Richard turned and searched the brush, looking through the trees and calling out if anyone was there. He turned to her and held up his hands, telling her he’d done all he could think of. Then he fell backward into the trees, disappearing into the shadows. His hands were flailing, obviously not his idea.
    “Oh my dear sweet Jesus!” Kelly yelled, covering her trembling lips with her hands, which were also shaking now. “Richard,” she muttered, her teeth chattering.
    She had done this to him. No matter how it might pan out to the rangers, she had been the ultimate reason for his demise. Sending him out there to find some crazy bastard that was now more than likely dining on his flesh. She wanted to rush out the door and find him, but she was terrified. As she was about to break her paralysis, something slammed into the window. Kelly fell off the bench, bruising her ass against the freshly swept linoleum.
    Richard stood with his hands and face pressed to the glass, making faces.
    “You sick bastard!” Kelly slapped the floor as she stood, rushing to the bench to slap the window. Richard moved before her hand could hit him, his expression already shifting gears from good humor to apologetic.
    He hurried around to the back door and stepped in, knowing he’d better move before she locked him out. As always, he’d taken a joke too far. Kelly sat in the booth, looking back at him over her shoulder. Her bottom lip was trembling.
    “It was in bad taste, I’m sorry.” The hint of a smile he’d carried with him through the door had faded away. He stood before her with a sincere apology. “I didn’t mean to upset you so much.”
    “That was just not cool.” Kelly shook her head, beginning to cry.
    “Hey.” Richard sprang