Watcher by Kate Watterson Page B

though he wasn’t excited about Watcher
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    telling us, he finally did.” He cleared his throat. “Apparently, you are the only who qualifies as the subject. He said he’s now worried about your safety, and after what happened to your car and in his apartment, I don’t think it’s unreasonable.”
    “Anyone we need to know about, Dr. Johnson?” The older one asked bluntly. “Ex-boyfriend or lover that might have an issue with the fact you’re involved with another man? It would be helpful if you’d tell us the truth.”
    Jana shook her head decisively. “No, no one. Believe me.”
    “Except Jake Quinn.”
    “That’s sort of a recent development,” she replied, hoping she looked cool and detached. “My husband died a few years ago and I have seen absolutely no one in the way you mean since until Jake.”
    “What about the blue truck?”
    “I hadn’t noticed until Jake mentioned it, but when he did, I remembered seeing it now and again. I thought the owner worked here.”
    The young guy looked bland. “Not according to the permits issued for the faculty lot where you park your car, Ma’am. The campus police officer we spoke with said he must be careful, because they check the lot now and then, just to make sure all the vehicles are authorized to park there.”
    “Also keep in mind that we know exactly when he typed the message because he saved it, so that means he knew that Mr.
    Quinn was not at home. Usually at two in the morning he would be. I’d guess he really is watching you.”
    Well, this just got better and better .
    She looked from one to the other of them. “All right, I admit this is all very disturbing, but I really don’t have any idea who would want to break into Jake’s apartment, or damage my car.
    What now?”
    The older officer said, “Be careful. Be alert. Lock your doors, don’t go out at night alone, avoid parking garages, the usual sort of 76
    Kate Watterson
    thing any woman should do anyway. In your case, right now, I’d be extremely cautious. If you don’t carry pepper spray, buy some.”
    “That all sounds logical, I suppose.” Jana felt more than just slightly dismayed.
    After they left, she made a cup of coffee and saw ruefully that her hands were unsteady when she lifted the cup to her mouth.
    The phone on her desk rang, and she automatically reached for it. “Dr. Johnson.”
    “I’m watching.”
    For a moment she didn’t register the words, because the sibilant hiss of the voice startled her so much. “What?”
    “I’m watching,” he repeated. “The police just left, didn’t they?”
    Jana felt a sick twist in the pit of her stomach. “Who is this?”
    “You’ll know soon enough, Professor. I have another message for Quinn. Tell him you’re going to be the most expensive lay he’s ever had.”
    The line went dead and she sat there for a moment, both shocked and now truly frightened. The idea there could be a threat was upsetting, but hearing that eerie voice made it all very real suddenly. Her hand trembled visibly now as she replaced the receiver.
    Jake.
    Hastily, she got to her feet and went out in the hall, heading for the lab. In mid-morning, it was busy, and there were at least six students working on various experiments. To her relief, Jake was there, but then again, he usually was.
    When he looked up and saw her, there wasn’t much doubt he registered something was wrong.
    To hell with discretion, Jana thought fearfully. This was serious, and if there was one thing she realized right now, she wanted nothing to happen to the young man now staring at her Watcher
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    with dark concerned eyes. The very thought of it was horrifying and scared her in a way she would have to analyze later.
    “I need to talk to you,” she said urgently, and really didn’t care who heard her.
    “Jana, you’re pale as a ghost. What’s happened?”
    “My office?” she suggested shakily and actually grabbed his hand. His fingers felt warm and strong, and she was