Anonymously Yours Read Free Page B

the lacy afghan on the back of the sofa and switched off the overhead light. Brilliant flashes of lightning lit up the room. Booming thunder rattled the house. Knees under my chin, I pulled the afghan up around my shoulders and nestled against the back of the couch.
    What a perfect night for a murder mystery.

Chapter Two
    I was still on the sofa when I awakened the next morning. As I stretched my arms overhead and yawned, my body collided with the carpeted floor. Remnants of popcorn spewed across the room.
    I untangled my legs from the cocooned blanket. An infomercial was on the television trying to sell me the newest thing in exercise equipment guaranteed to help me lose inches in just two weeks.
    I must have dozed off shortly after the movie started. As I often did, I’d figured out the ending early on, quickly losing interest in the final hour. I maneuvered my feet into soft slippers, then felt my way to the window. A full moon lit the room in an eerie glow as I raised the blinds.
    In the kitchen, I flipped on a light and reached for a cup above the sink. After filling it with tap water, I heated it in the microwave, then inserted a tea bag. Leaving the cup on the counter to steep, I headed for the shower. I turned on the faucet and waited for the appropriate temperature while I located a uniform from the closet. Mr. Winslow provided each of his waitresses with two uniforms. Since last night’s uniform was drenched from the rain, I made a mental note to wash a load of laundry after work.
    I stepped into the shower, enjoying the pelting warm water against my skin.
    Ten minutes later, I stood at the fogged mirror and added a touch of blush to my cheeks and a light gloss to my lips. After running a comb through my short hair, I gave it a quick tousle with my hands.
    I was glad I had it cut, I realized. The short bouncy length was the perfect style for someone constantly on the go. Justin had mentioned he liked it last night. I wondered if he was just making conversation or if he really did like it short. He’d always preferred it longer.
    I wriggled into my uniform, then checked my purse for the wallet. It was right where I had left it, next to my small .380 pistol. Neither my parents nor Justin knew I carried a weapon. I felt certain they wouldn’t be happy about it.
    Outside, a partially sunny sky still patched with a few lingering clouds loomed before me. A soft gentle breeze danced through the numerous trees along the quiet street. Overhead, songless birds perched like tiny black statues on the telephone wires.
    What made me think of that? I wondered. I shrugged off the eerie thought.
    My purse draped over my shoulder, I walked along the sidewalk toward Lendon Street, the main intersection before Winslow’s Diner. From there it was just one block over to where Michael Black lived.
    A light flashed on from somewhere inside Justin’s parents’ house when I passed by. Lacy yellow kitchen curtains danced in the slight breeze. Hurried movement appeared at the window. I’d seen Mr. and Mrs. Banks many times over the years whenever I’d visit my own family. But after our breakup, the occasional impromptu meetings felt awkward.
    I knew Justin was staying with his parents until he found a place of his own. I wondered if he was up at this hour. School didn’t start for another two weeks.
    I double-checked the address on the driver’s license as I continued down the street, searching the house numbers for a match. I located the cozy two-story partially bricked home in the middle of the block. Beautiful flowerbeds flanked both sides of the driveway. A huge corkscrew willow tree dominated the small lawn, its gnarly branches scraping gently against the front of the house.
    A quick glance at my watch alerted me that it was six forty-five. I didn’t plan to spend any time here. Once I’d returned the wallet, I’d be on my way to work.
    I eased past a blue station wagon in the driveway, carefully avoiding the manicured lawn.