“Yeah, I’ll be right there.” He kissed her on the forehead, she mumbled, only half awake. “I’ll be back soon. I got a call I have to check out in town. If I’m going to be long, I’ll have an officer ride out here. Don’t worry.” Zoe hugged him, not wanting him to leave. “Please come back soon.” A frisson of fear at being alone after the events of the day ran through her. “I will. I promise.” He kissed her long and hard before he slipped out of the bed. Zoe heard the front door close a few minutes later as she drifted back into sleep. A noise woke Zoe up later, a thumping from downstairs. She clutched the sheets and then decided to get out of bed. Nick wouldn’t have been so quiet. The sounds from below were random as if someone was searching for something. She bolted out of bed on quiet feet, glad she was naked and quieter that way.
