85

85
Leo’s and Rachel’s conversation was interrupted the moment they heard the loud siren outside. Rachel quickly walked to the window and pulled the curtains apart, peering into the distance.
A group of policemen were outside, going from house to house for interrogations. She wondered what was wrong. She watched as the officers jumped out of their cars, walkie-talkies in hand, and began searching the neighborhood. Rachel’s neighbor, Mrs. Johnson, came out of her house, looking bewildered as she watched the commotion.
One of them walked to her door and knocked.
“I’ll check it out.” She offered, already making her way towards the door when Leo stopped her.
“I’ll go instead.” He said but she persisted and offered to make the move herself. After a short but intense argument, he allowed her to answer the door.
She had her hair tied up in a bun, and a serious expression on her face.
“Hello, ma’am,” the policewoman greeted. “I am officer Emily from the local police station. May I have a moment of your time?”
Rachel felt a little uneasy, but she managed to smile and replied, “Yes, of course.”
“I’m just making some inquiries in the area,” the policewoman began. “Have you noticed any strange activities or individuals in the neighborhood lately?”
Rachel shook her head, “No, I haven’t noticed anything strange. It’s been relatively quiet around here.”
“Alright, do you know any of your neighbors that have recently moved in?” the policewoman asked, taking down notes.
Rachel thought for a while and replied, “No, I don’t think so. I haven’t really had the chance to interact with most of my neighbors.”
The policewoman continued to ask a few more questions, and Rachel answered each one to the best of her knowledge. After a while, the policewoman thanked Rachel and got up to leave.
“Thank you for your time, ma’am. If you notice anything suspicious, please do not hesitate to contact the police.”
Rachel nodded and replied, “I will. Thank you for stopping by, officer.”
With that, the policewoman left, and Rachel went back to her mail, wondering what the police were investigating.
Leo was wearing a plain white t-shirt and a pair of khaki pants. The t-shirt was snug against his chest, emphasizing his toned muscles, while the pants hugged his hips and fell straight down to his ankles. He looked sharp and put-together, with his hair styled neatly and a confident, determined look on his face.
Curiosity got the better of her, and she stepped outside to see a convoy of police cars and K-9 units making their way down the street. The loud barking of the dogs and the flashing lights of the police cars made her heart race with fear and anticipation.
“Is everything okay?” Rachel asked her.
“I don’t know,” Mrs. Johnson replied, looking nervous. “They’re looking for someone, but I don’t know who.”
Rachel felt a knot form in her stomach. Could it be Roseline? Had they finally caught her? She watched as the police officers searched every nook and cranny, their voices crackling over the walkie-talkies as they communicated with each other.
The sheriff, a tall man with a stern expression, approached Rachel. “Have you seen anything suspicious around here lately?” he asked, his pen poised over his notepad.
Rachel shook her head, trying to keep her composure. “No, I haven’t,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
The sheriff jotted down a few notes before moving on to the next house. Rachel watched as the officers continued their search, their dogs sniffing every inch of the ground. The sound of their barking echoed through the neighborhood, sending shivers down Rachel’s spine.
As the convoy disappeared from view, Rachel felt a sense of relief mixed with apprehension. She knew that the danger was still out there, lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike.
She had been annoyed at Leo, who had insisted on putting 24-hour surveillance on her house for his own protection but with the thought of Rachel in her mind now, she slowly began to understand why he had extra precautions to make sure that she was safe. She understood that he was worried about his safety, but it felt like an invasion of her privacy. As she watched the police activity outside her window, she wondered if Roseline was watching too, hiding somewhere in the shadows.
She quickly ambled back I to the house, closing the door behind her and joined Leo in the living room and told him everything.
Just then, her mother walked through the door, returning from her trip. Rachel foudn herself smiling at the sight of her mother, and the two embraced in a warm hug.
Her mother was glad to see Rachel and Leo together, and Rachel couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt for keeping her relationship with Leo a secret.
As Rachel’s mother hugged her tightly, she pulled back and took a good look at her daughter. “You look tired, honey. Is everything okay?” she asked, concern etched on her face.
Rachel nodded, forcing a smile. “I’m fine, Mom. It’s just been a rough few days.”
Her mother studied her for a moment before turning her attention to Leo. “Leo, it’s good to see you again. How have you been?”
Leo offered a polite smile. “I’ve been well, thank you. Just a little busy with work.”
Rachel’s mother raised an eyebrow. “Well, I hope you’re not working too hard. Rachel needs some time with you too, you know.”
Leo nodded, his expression serious. “I understand, and I promise to make it up to her when I get back.”
“When you get back? I don’t understand.” She said, her eyes narrowing towards the burly guards standing by the corner of the room.
“Yes. I’ll be leaving on a business meeting and I might be be some days out.”
“Oh!”
As Leo made his exit, Rachel’s mother turned to her daughter. “So, what’s going on with you two? You’re not keeping secrets from me, are you?”