Merry Jones - Elle Harrison 01 - The Trouble With Charlie (42 page)

I didn’t move. Heard the blood rush from my head. Looked up the street, down. Saw nobody who looked like Joel. Of course I didn’t. He’d driven away in the van. Vanished.

Becky carried the cage into the house. Set it in the foyer. Brought the scones into the kitchen. “Come on,” she called. “They’re still warm.”

I stared at the rabbit. Watched its nose quiver. How had Joel gotten hold of it? Had he taken it when he’d escaped? I didn’t remember if the police had found it in the van, had been too upset even to think of the rabbit. But why had he left it with me? And why now? To scare me? Should I call the police?

“Elle?” Becky called. “You coming?”

I moved away from the cage. Stepped into the kitchen. Poured coffee. Brought the mugs to the table.

I was shaken, not thinking anymore about Charlie. But then, on the counter by the coffee pot, I saw the rose.