AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Two reasons,” he said. “One, we’re supposed to appear like humans, remember?”
“I don’t think Burnett meant—”
“Two,” he interrupted, “that chain reaches the door. How do you think I got my ass bit?” He rubbed his backside. “Here’s what we’re going to do. You’re gonna throw the Oscar Mayers, and while he’s munching on them I’m going to pull out that pole and reposition it so his chain can’t reach the porch.”
“And if he’s not interested in the hot dogs?”
“Then I’ll try rubbing his belly again.” He smiled. “I rub a mean belly. Just ask Baxter. Anytime you need—”
“My belly is fine.” She tossed a half of a hot dog and then looked at Chase. “Don’t let him bite you.”
“Good plan.” Chase took off. In record speed, he pulled the metal pipe from the ground and moved it closer to the dog to reposition it.
The dog, obviously feeling the chain’s movement, turned toward Chase and growled. Della threw another wiener.
The animal was so hungry, he forgot Chase and went hot dog hunting.
Chase pushed the metal pipe in the ground. “Done.” He bolted back.
Della tossed the rest of the wieners to the hungry animal and then walked across the yard to the porch. On the front door, hung crooked, was a sign: IF TROUBLE, MY DOG, DOESN’T SCARE YOU, MY SHOTGUN MIGHT.
She looked at Chase. “You think you could offer to rub the shotgun’s belly? I fed all the hot dogs to Trouble,” she said in almost a whisper.
He grinned.
“Did you actually talk to someone here last time you came?”
“Yeah, human, in his late fifties, about as friendly as the dog. When I asked if he was Douglas Stone he said no and that he was just staying here with a friend. He was lying. Thing is I don’t know if the lie was about his name or staying here with a friend. Or both.”
Della took a deep breath to see if she got a trace of a vampire scent. She didn’t, but with the thick stench of garbage, it could be hidden.
Chase tilted his head to the side, listening to see if anyone was inside. Della did the same.
“TV’s on in a back room,” Chase said.
Della felt a thrill shoot through her. If this was Douglas Stone, her dad’s ordeal could be over.
“You wanna knock and I’ll go around back in case he tries to run?” she asked.
“Nah, if we hear him leave out the back, you go left and I’ll go right.”
She looked at the peephole in the middle of the door. “If it’s the same guy, he might not answer to you. Why don’t you stand over there and let me do the talking. If I get him to admit his name is Douglas Stone, then we know it’s not our guy, right?”
“Yeah.” Chase moved to a window a few feet from the door and peered in. Then he glanced back at her. “I can see the entryway from here. If he really has a shotgun, I’ll say move. You do it.”
“You think I should?” she asked with sarcasm and then motioned for him to move back a little. “Don’t let him see you.”
Della banged on the door. And listened.
When no one answered, she banged again.
“What the hell do you want?” someone yelled from inside.
Chapter Thirty-three
Chase stood at the very edge of the window, hoping he could see the homeowner, but the homeowner couldn’t see him.
“He’s coming,” Chase said in barely a whisper. “Not armed.” Chase tightened his eyes to catch the guy’s pattern on his forehead. “Human.” Chase was pretty sure it was the same guy he’d spoken with before.
