Pulled to the Dark (The Siriena Series) by Julia P. Lynde Read Free Book Online

and Andrea was talking to the police officer out in the hall.
    "That's my boss," I said.
    Daniel looked over. "Do you trust her?"
    "Yes."
    "Let her in," he called.
    Andrea walked straight over to me. She looked around for just a moment, then sat down on the sofa next to me. Sally moved away a little, and Andrea put her arm around me. I leaned against her.
    "How did you know?" I asked her.
    "Officers Bartlett and Nickols are old friends," she said. "I hope you don't mind."
    "No. You didn't have to come."
    "Hush."
    I looked over at Officer Irwin. "Were there more questions? What now?"
    "I think we have everything we need," he said. "We'll patrol the neighborhood. He jimmied the lock, but it doesn't seem broken. If you give us your keys, we can test it for you."
    "My purse," I said.
    Sally stood up and retrieved my purse from the table, handing it to me. I dug the keys out and handed them to her.
    I looked over at Andrea. "Oh god, I was so scared. I think he wanted to hurt me." The tears started down my cheeks again.
    "Oh Felicia," she said, wrapping her arms around me and holding me. "I'm so sorry."
    After a moment, Sally was back, sitting on the chair that Officer Irwin had been using. She handed the keys back to me. "The lock is working fine. Do you want us to stay?"
    "Ms. Darkangel and I can take it from here," Andrea said. I looked at her, then at the door. Petra was there.
    "That's my other boss," I said to Sally. "I trust her, too."
    She nodded and gestured. Petra walked over.
    "Are you all right?" she asked.
    I nodded, then stood up, letting the blanket fall from my shoulders. I stepped up to Petra and wrapped my arms around her. "Thank you for saving me," I told her quietly.
    "Saving you?" she asked.
    I blushed. "Oh. I mean." I pulled away. "You came to me in my dreams and warned me. You told me what to do."
    I looked away, but she put her hands on my shoulders and turned me to face her. "I'm glad you're safe."
    The officers gave me their business cards, asked me once more if I was sure I was okay. Sally pulled me to the side and asked me if it was okay leaving me with Andrea and Petra.
    "Yes," I said.
    "If you think of anything else, you call us."
    I thanked her again and she said, "I'm glad we were able to help."
    She closed my apartment door behind her.
    "Did he take anything?" Andrea asked.
    "I don't think so. He wasn't here very long. My laptop and purse are both here."
    "Where are the cats?" Petra asked.
    "I haven't seen them. Hiding. They like it under the sofa."
    "I'll find them," she said.
    "They scratch," I warned her.
    "I'll be careful," she replied. "Thank you for the warning."
    She went into the kitchen, and I heard her rummaging around. Then I heard the can opener. She had found the stash of tuna. It took about three seconds for both cats to poke their noses out from under the sofa then dash into the kitchen.
    Andrea and I stared after them, looked at each other, and laughed. "That was efficient," I said. Then I looked at her. "How could you get here so quickly?"
    "I was already awake and in my car when I got the call," she said. "I had a little bout of insomnia. I called Petra right away and we both headed here."
    Petra exited the kitchen. "I found the cats," she said, grinning. "I split a half can of tuna between them and put the rest in the refrigerator."
    I nodded. A half can each would make them sick, but a quarter can each was fine.
    I looked between the two of them. They were each looking at me with concern. "I appreciate you coming," I said. "But you don't have to stay with me."
    "Actually," said Petra. "We want to show you something." She paused. "Can you put on something other than that horrible sweat shirt? Then grab some shoes and your purse."
    I looke d down. It was a horrible sweat shirt.
    I nodded and disappeared into the bedroom for a minute. I selected one of my old blouses, the ones Petra wanted me to replace, and put it on. I found some tennis shoes and stepped back out.
    "I know I'm a