My breath hitched in my throat.

I whipped my head around, staring into the dark backseat of my own sedan.

There was no one there now.

Only the faint, cloying smell of Solene’s heavy lavender perfume lingered in the damp upholstery.

They had been inside my car.

They had waited for me, or perhaps they had watched me slip inside the house to take the files.

My hand shook so violently I almost dropped the phone onto the floorboard.

I jammed the key into the ignition and started the engine.

The headlights cut through the heavy rain, illuminating the empty street.

I slammed my foot on the gas pedal.

The tires screeched on the wet asphalt as I pulled away from the curb.

My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird.

I kept my eyes glued to the rearview mirror, half expecting headlights to snap on behind me.

The street remained dark and silent.

I gripped the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white.

The manila folder slid off the passenger seat and spilled onto the floorboard.

I couldn’t go back to the house tonight.