Unavailable - Chapter 17
Title: Unavailable
Authors: bugs and aussie
Genre: AU, Romance, Drama, Humor
Rating: MA
Word Count: 2,600
Summary: Two determined women, one man, and a cup of tea.
Chapter Seventeen:
At the kitchen's huge range, Laura poured some milk into a saucepan, doing her best to ignore the newest addition to her family slinking around her ankles, swishing her satin robe with his tail.
“Shoo!” she cried softly, waving her hand in his general direction. “I don’t want to step on you.”
Lance looked up at her and let out a long pathetic meow before pushing his head against her legs again.
Shimmying away from the feline, Laura managed to pour some of the milk into a bowl and place it on the floor without spilling it.
She gave a sigh of relief as Lance skipped to the bowl.
Her victory was short-lived. After only an experimental sniff, the cat looked back up at her and gave another plaintive yowl.
“You don’t like milk?”
She bent and carefully scratched behind Lance’s ear. It was Jake’s favourite place to be petted. How different could a cat and a dog be, after all? He recoiled and looked at her hand suspiciously.
Elosha chose this moment to burst through the swinging kitchen door.
“There you are!” Then Elosha saw the cat purring around Laura’s legs and immediately let out a loud sneeze.
Laura leaned her hip against the kitchen counter. “I was just fixing some warm milk. It’s difficult to sleep without Bill...”
“He won’t be sleeping if that woman has her way,” Elosha announced dramatically, waving her silky caftan in Lance’s direction. The cat decided this was a game and began to playfully wave his claws at the material. He only paused when the lady’s maid let out yet another high-pitched sneeze.
“That women won’t have her way with Bill,” Laura said, confident. She didn’t want to think about Carolanne and Bill under the same roof though, so she quickly changed the subject. “Did you get something to stop this sneezing?” she asked.
“Yes. But I’m not the only one who bought an elixir tonight!” As she bustled to place some water on the heat and unwrapped her bundle of herbs between sneezes, Elosha quickly began to relay to Laura how she’d seen Carolanne in Chinatown and learned the nature of her business there.
"Mr. Foo said she bought a love potion!" Elosha pronounced dramatically.
Laura only gave a knowing laugh and turned back to stir her milk so it would not scald. "I can assure you, Elosha, Bill Adams only loves me," she said smugly. "No potion will change that."
Elosha had to make her charge see the danger. She slunk closer, holding back another sneeze as her nose tickled. She hoarsely whispered: "Not just love, Miss Laura! It will increase his--" Despite her dark skin, she flushed hotly. Peeking over her shoulder, she mouthed, "Needs."
Laura wrinkled her forehead in confusion.
Elosha glanced significantly below her waist, then her eyes shot up and closed in embarrassment.
"Oh!" said Laura.
The older woman nodded frantically and glugged down her drink.
"I took care of that earlier as well," Laura said airily, pouring the milk into a glass.
"What?" Elosha said, momentarily diverted.
"Bill Adams is not going to be making love to anyone anytime soon," Laura assured her maid with a smirk. She took a long draught of milk. This could use some brandy, she decided...
Elosha would not be dissuaded. “Is Young Jaffee still awake?” she asked urgently. “You’ll have to go and see Mr Bill at once and help him with his little problem!”
Laura bit down on her lip to stop from laughing. She could just imagine Bill’s face reddening if he knew Elosha was thinking of such a ‘problem’ -- or calling it ‘little’!
"Your sneezes have cleared up," Laura pointed out.
"Yes, Mr. Foo's potions always work," assured Elosha, her gaze significant.
Laura tightened the sash on her robe. "Perhaps I'd better check on him," she said slowly, her confidence ebbing.
Herding her toward the door, Elosha nodded vigorously. "Immediately," she demanded.
~*~
Carolanne sashayed across the living room to sink down on the couch beside Bill, who balanced the tea cup on his knee.
"Sorta different taste," he said, giving her a tight smile.
"Yes," she cooed before taking a sip of tea. "I think it's delish."
He put the cup aside. "Can't have too much," he noted. "Or I'll be up all night."
Her cheek twitched at his earthy observation. Then she smiled. That was the idea after all. Surely he was feeling the effects.
She scooted closer. "Bill, my dear," she said, making her voice tremble. "I feel so..." She gently touched his arm. "So...Alone..." she moaned, lying her head on his shoulder. She remembered that he liked her to be vulnerable and weak.
"It's been so long," she whispered, gazing up into his face, her eyes limpid and yearning.
He looked down at her, his weathered features conflicted.
The phone rang.
"Let it go," hissed Carolanne, her grip on his arm becoming tight as he reached across her for the handset.
"This late, it must be something important," insisted Bill, "what if it's one of the boys?"
"All right, I'll get it," she griped, snagging the receiver before he could.
Her brow furrowed as she listened to the caller. "What? I don't understand...No, there's no Mrs. La Cruz here."
Bill tipped his head at hearing that name, then understanding dawned. He turned away before Carolanne could see.
She slammed the receiver down, but Bill hopped up from the couch.
"I gotta go out for some smokes," he said, ineffectually patting at his pockets.
"Now?" whined Carolanne, clinging to his dangling hand.
He gave her a vague smile. "Yeah, there won't be any stores open in the morning when I go to work and I can't be expected to make it through the workday without them."
His talk of cigarettes reminded Carolanne of the lovely gold monogrammed cigarette case she'd seen him handling at that woman's house. Surely he still had it? And it could be pawned for a nice piece of change...
She flopped back in the couch, pouting as she tightly folded her arms. "Hurry up then."
"Of course," he said, his voice clipped. He shoved his Fedora down and yanked on his overcoat. "I'll be just two shakes."
"And take that beast," she said as Bill opened the door and Jake hurried forward, giving her a pained look over his shoulder. "I'm sure he's going to bite me as soon as you're gone."
Bill started to say something, then just shook his head. Snapping on the dog's leash, he brought Jake to his side. "Come on, buddy," he grumbled.
Carolanne began to pace angrily when he left. She couldn't seem to remain still--
In the apartment building foyer, Bill released a deep breath, trying to calm down. He started to pull out a cigarette, but decided he shouldn't in case Carolanne watched him through the front window. Laura must be out on the street somewhere...
Jake stopped before his master could exit the foyer and stared at the mahogany door marked Public Phone. It cracked open, and a long, shapely leg slid out through the narrow space.
Bill looked around, and seeing no one, eased closer. Jake sat, and his master dropped the leash as he peeked in the dark compartment.
Laura sat on the small stool by the wall phone, her mink coat draped on her shoulders. Underneath, she wore nothing but his favorite of her silk negligees, the silver one so sheer as to see her rosy nipples through the fine fabric.
He gulped. "Darling, what are you doing out in public like that?" he croaked.
"Better get in here before anyone sees me," she drawled, toying with her long hair.
He shuffled into the tight closet and closed the door behind him. Shoving his hat back, he repeated his question. "What the hell are you doing here, Laura?"
She leapt up and pressed against him, her coy mood gone. "Darling, I was so worried about you! Elosha tells me that Carolanne purchased some Chinese herb--"
"To poison me?" he asked, his voice serious.
She flung her head back. "Worse," she hissed. "To...To have her way with you!"
"What way?" he said, truly puzzled.
"Has she made advances on you tonight?" quizzed Laura.
He shrugged, embarrassed. "Well...Yeah...But she did that from the get go."
"What?" growled Laura, then regained control.
"Well, she's gotten a little help tonight. There's no way you won't....Want to," she said significantly.
"Oh," he said, his eyes shifting.
She pulled open his coat and jacket to press even closer. "Can't you feel it?" she asked.
"Yeah, yeah, I can feel it," he assured her, finding her bottom under her warm cloak to hold her tightly against him.
"It's working then," she wailed. Then her gaze became determined. "There's only one thing to do."
He tossed his hat off and wiggled out of his coat. "What would that be?" he queried, trying to sound clueless.
"You must have a release so that you can't be with her,” said Laura, unfastening his pants.
"This is silly," Bill said, even as he slid up her gown, only to discover she wore no panties. He protested, "That tea isn't doing anything to me--"
"When were we together...Three hours ago?" said Laura, pushing open his pants and his underpants down. "And look at how enthusiastic you are," she said, pointing out his arousal accusingly.
He chuckled roughly. "I prefer not to look. I not one of those fellas who's interested in his own parts. I'd rather look at you." Dipping his head, he suckled at her breast through the fine silk.
Her hand tightened on his length. Still all business, she said, "I'll just help you...Take care of this," she said, squeezing him lightly but with her usual skill. "Quickly. You can get back to her before she suspects anything."
"But quick might not be good enough," he said craftily. "Better to go all the way to assure that I'm properly exhausted."
"If you insist," she said weakly as he touched her everywhere at once.
Bill knew he wasn't being a gentleman, that he was taking advantage of his beloved's true concern for him, but dammit, tomorrow their marriage would be annulled. In good conscious, he could not be with her again until he could divorce Carolanne. So if he was greedy, and snatched one more moment with her--
His face buried in her neck, he explained: "This is the last time, my love, for we don't know how long. I have to have all of you--"
She tugged up his head to look deeply into his eyes. "No, Bill...Not the last time--"
"I can't make any promises," he said, suddenly angry and terrified at the same time. He couldn't be the husband that Laura needed, but he could give her these few moments of pleasure.
With a grunt, he lifted Laura to balance on the narrow shelf under the phone, opening her thighs for his access.
She squeaked in fear and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her anxiety only aroused him more.
"Don't worry; Daddy's got you," he growled in her ear as he slid into her warm, tight heat.
Turning her head, she gave him a dirty look, even as her grip tightened on his shoulders.
He only raised his eyebrows, returning the challenge. She responded by tilting back as far as the tiny space would allow and hitching her long legs under his armpits. The air was humid and heavy with their panting breaths, the room filled with her thick mink cloak and swirling curls.
Bill felt the walls closing in on him, but could only vaguely think, what a way to die.
Carolanne leaned out the open window until the cool night time breeze blew across her flushed face. Mercy, she was hot!
She peered down at the street below. A bum waltzed drunkenly along the sidewalk. A young couple strolled along arm in arm. A man in uniform chatted animatedly to a tart wearing a too-short skirt and too-high heels.
Where was Bill?
She remembered all those times when they were married and he’d initiate their intimacies. She’d done her wifely duties, acting enthusiastic every few months. She’d needed to ensure he never lost interest in her charms, after all.
Did Laura Roslin fake it? Surely she did. Women of their class never enjoyed it--only common trollops and sluts in the gutter felt anything. Bill must have been with women like that. Would he be able to tell the difference now?
Carolanne turned back and stared at her teacup on the coffee table. Perhaps she should have another sip of that tea before he returned, just to be sure...
She flopped into the sofa, the horrid stench of the silly Chinaman’s herbs wafting her way and making her shudder before she even had a chance to pick up her cup. She’d so rather have some gin.
Yes, some sort of alcohol would not only improve the tea’s taste, it could also give her the fortitude she needed to face tonight’s ordeal!
“No one will know,” she said aloud. The impertinent maid was still out slumming it with that greasy Italian. It was too late for the boys to visit. The cur had obviously whimpered until Bill had given in and taken it for a longer walk.
Her decision made, she staggered upright and retrieved a bottle of her favorite spirit from its hiding place. She poured a generous amount into her teacup, pausing a moment to take a long swig straight from the bottle before she carefully returned it to its previous position under her mattress.
Feeling much better, she settled herself back into the sofa’s plush cushions, fluffing her hair and positioning her silky gown to ensure her assets were shown at their best advantage.
She was ready for Bill’s return now, she thought, sipping on her tea. This time, she didn’t want to cool the pleasant flush spreading through her limbs.
Bridgette trudged down the street, lost in her morose thoughts.
Her day had started so promising with the excitement of her new position. Mr Adams had singled her out from all the other maids. However, working alone, without Stewart especially, and getting to know Mrs Carolanne Adams, had quickly dampened her spirits.
Just when her day couldn’t get any worse, she’d run into Enzo. She’d thought--hoped--he’d skipped town after Mr Adams had gone around and roughened him up. Instead, it appeared he was still thinking she would be his ticket to something better in his life. Blackmailing her would be the easy way to get to that something better.
She slowly entered the foyer of Mr Adams’ new apartment building. There was no way she could let anyone could find out about her past.
She was about to press the button to herald the lift when a movement behind her caught her eye. She turned and her eyes widened.
“Jake?” she whispered.
The dog greeted her with a nudge of his cold nose.
“Hey, boy. Watcha doin’ down here?”
She frowned as she petted the dog. His leash was hanging from his collar. She straightened and looked around the empty foyer.
“Maybe I should take you back upstairs.”
Then she heard a thump from the phone room. She slowly approached, finding courage with the dog's close presence.
End ~ Chapter 17
Authors: bugs and aussie
Genre: AU, Romance, Drama, Humor
Rating: MA
Word Count: 2,600
Summary: Two determined women, one man, and a cup of tea.
Chapter Seventeen:
At the kitchen's huge range, Laura poured some milk into a saucepan, doing her best to ignore the newest addition to her family slinking around her ankles, swishing her satin robe with his tail.
“Shoo!” she cried softly, waving her hand in his general direction. “I don’t want to step on you.”
Lance looked up at her and let out a long pathetic meow before pushing his head against her legs again.
Shimmying away from the feline, Laura managed to pour some of the milk into a bowl and place it on the floor without spilling it.
She gave a sigh of relief as Lance skipped to the bowl.
Her victory was short-lived. After only an experimental sniff, the cat looked back up at her and gave another plaintive yowl.
“You don’t like milk?”
She bent and carefully scratched behind Lance’s ear. It was Jake’s favourite place to be petted. How different could a cat and a dog be, after all? He recoiled and looked at her hand suspiciously.
Elosha chose this moment to burst through the swinging kitchen door.
“There you are!” Then Elosha saw the cat purring around Laura’s legs and immediately let out a loud sneeze.
Laura leaned her hip against the kitchen counter. “I was just fixing some warm milk. It’s difficult to sleep without Bill...”
“He won’t be sleeping if that woman has her way,” Elosha announced dramatically, waving her silky caftan in Lance’s direction. The cat decided this was a game and began to playfully wave his claws at the material. He only paused when the lady’s maid let out yet another high-pitched sneeze.
“That women won’t have her way with Bill,” Laura said, confident. She didn’t want to think about Carolanne and Bill under the same roof though, so she quickly changed the subject. “Did you get something to stop this sneezing?” she asked.
“Yes. But I’m not the only one who bought an elixir tonight!” As she bustled to place some water on the heat and unwrapped her bundle of herbs between sneezes, Elosha quickly began to relay to Laura how she’d seen Carolanne in Chinatown and learned the nature of her business there.
"Mr. Foo said she bought a love potion!" Elosha pronounced dramatically.
Laura only gave a knowing laugh and turned back to stir her milk so it would not scald. "I can assure you, Elosha, Bill Adams only loves me," she said smugly. "No potion will change that."
Elosha had to make her charge see the danger. She slunk closer, holding back another sneeze as her nose tickled. She hoarsely whispered: "Not just love, Miss Laura! It will increase his--" Despite her dark skin, she flushed hotly. Peeking over her shoulder, she mouthed, "Needs."
Laura wrinkled her forehead in confusion.
Elosha glanced significantly below her waist, then her eyes shot up and closed in embarrassment.
"Oh!" said Laura.
The older woman nodded frantically and glugged down her drink.
"I took care of that earlier as well," Laura said airily, pouring the milk into a glass.
"What?" Elosha said, momentarily diverted.
"Bill Adams is not going to be making love to anyone anytime soon," Laura assured her maid with a smirk. She took a long draught of milk. This could use some brandy, she decided...
Elosha would not be dissuaded. “Is Young Jaffee still awake?” she asked urgently. “You’ll have to go and see Mr Bill at once and help him with his little problem!”
Laura bit down on her lip to stop from laughing. She could just imagine Bill’s face reddening if he knew Elosha was thinking of such a ‘problem’ -- or calling it ‘little’!
"Your sneezes have cleared up," Laura pointed out.
"Yes, Mr. Foo's potions always work," assured Elosha, her gaze significant.
Laura tightened the sash on her robe. "Perhaps I'd better check on him," she said slowly, her confidence ebbing.
Herding her toward the door, Elosha nodded vigorously. "Immediately," she demanded.
~*~
Carolanne sashayed across the living room to sink down on the couch beside Bill, who balanced the tea cup on his knee.
"Sorta different taste," he said, giving her a tight smile.
"Yes," she cooed before taking a sip of tea. "I think it's delish."
He put the cup aside. "Can't have too much," he noted. "Or I'll be up all night."
Her cheek twitched at his earthy observation. Then she smiled. That was the idea after all. Surely he was feeling the effects.
She scooted closer. "Bill, my dear," she said, making her voice tremble. "I feel so..." She gently touched his arm. "So...Alone..." she moaned, lying her head on his shoulder. She remembered that he liked her to be vulnerable and weak.
"It's been so long," she whispered, gazing up into his face, her eyes limpid and yearning.
He looked down at her, his weathered features conflicted.
The phone rang.
"Let it go," hissed Carolanne, her grip on his arm becoming tight as he reached across her for the handset.
"This late, it must be something important," insisted Bill, "what if it's one of the boys?"
"All right, I'll get it," she griped, snagging the receiver before he could.
Her brow furrowed as she listened to the caller. "What? I don't understand...No, there's no Mrs. La Cruz here."
Bill tipped his head at hearing that name, then understanding dawned. He turned away before Carolanne could see.
She slammed the receiver down, but Bill hopped up from the couch.
"I gotta go out for some smokes," he said, ineffectually patting at his pockets.
"Now?" whined Carolanne, clinging to his dangling hand.
He gave her a vague smile. "Yeah, there won't be any stores open in the morning when I go to work and I can't be expected to make it through the workday without them."
His talk of cigarettes reminded Carolanne of the lovely gold monogrammed cigarette case she'd seen him handling at that woman's house. Surely he still had it? And it could be pawned for a nice piece of change...
She flopped back in the couch, pouting as she tightly folded her arms. "Hurry up then."
"Of course," he said, his voice clipped. He shoved his Fedora down and yanked on his overcoat. "I'll be just two shakes."
"And take that beast," she said as Bill opened the door and Jake hurried forward, giving her a pained look over his shoulder. "I'm sure he's going to bite me as soon as you're gone."
Bill started to say something, then just shook his head. Snapping on the dog's leash, he brought Jake to his side. "Come on, buddy," he grumbled.
Carolanne began to pace angrily when he left. She couldn't seem to remain still--
In the apartment building foyer, Bill released a deep breath, trying to calm down. He started to pull out a cigarette, but decided he shouldn't in case Carolanne watched him through the front window. Laura must be out on the street somewhere...
Jake stopped before his master could exit the foyer and stared at the mahogany door marked Public Phone. It cracked open, and a long, shapely leg slid out through the narrow space.
Bill looked around, and seeing no one, eased closer. Jake sat, and his master dropped the leash as he peeked in the dark compartment.
Laura sat on the small stool by the wall phone, her mink coat draped on her shoulders. Underneath, she wore nothing but his favorite of her silk negligees, the silver one so sheer as to see her rosy nipples through the fine fabric.
He gulped. "Darling, what are you doing out in public like that?" he croaked.
"Better get in here before anyone sees me," she drawled, toying with her long hair.
He shuffled into the tight closet and closed the door behind him. Shoving his hat back, he repeated his question. "What the hell are you doing here, Laura?"
She leapt up and pressed against him, her coy mood gone. "Darling, I was so worried about you! Elosha tells me that Carolanne purchased some Chinese herb--"
"To poison me?" he asked, his voice serious.
She flung her head back. "Worse," she hissed. "To...To have her way with you!"
"What way?" he said, truly puzzled.
"Has she made advances on you tonight?" quizzed Laura.
He shrugged, embarrassed. "Well...Yeah...But she did that from the get go."
"What?" growled Laura, then regained control.
"Well, she's gotten a little help tonight. There's no way you won't....Want to," she said significantly.
"Oh," he said, his eyes shifting.
She pulled open his coat and jacket to press even closer. "Can't you feel it?" she asked.
"Yeah, yeah, I can feel it," he assured her, finding her bottom under her warm cloak to hold her tightly against him.
"It's working then," she wailed. Then her gaze became determined. "There's only one thing to do."
He tossed his hat off and wiggled out of his coat. "What would that be?" he queried, trying to sound clueless.
"You must have a release so that you can't be with her,” said Laura, unfastening his pants.
"This is silly," Bill said, even as he slid up her gown, only to discover she wore no panties. He protested, "That tea isn't doing anything to me--"
"When were we together...Three hours ago?" said Laura, pushing open his pants and his underpants down. "And look at how enthusiastic you are," she said, pointing out his arousal accusingly.
He chuckled roughly. "I prefer not to look. I not one of those fellas who's interested in his own parts. I'd rather look at you." Dipping his head, he suckled at her breast through the fine silk.
Her hand tightened on his length. Still all business, she said, "I'll just help you...Take care of this," she said, squeezing him lightly but with her usual skill. "Quickly. You can get back to her before she suspects anything."
"But quick might not be good enough," he said craftily. "Better to go all the way to assure that I'm properly exhausted."
"If you insist," she said weakly as he touched her everywhere at once.
Bill knew he wasn't being a gentleman, that he was taking advantage of his beloved's true concern for him, but dammit, tomorrow their marriage would be annulled. In good conscious, he could not be with her again until he could divorce Carolanne. So if he was greedy, and snatched one more moment with her--
His face buried in her neck, he explained: "This is the last time, my love, for we don't know how long. I have to have all of you--"
She tugged up his head to look deeply into his eyes. "No, Bill...Not the last time--"
"I can't make any promises," he said, suddenly angry and terrified at the same time. He couldn't be the husband that Laura needed, but he could give her these few moments of pleasure.
With a grunt, he lifted Laura to balance on the narrow shelf under the phone, opening her thighs for his access.
She squeaked in fear and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her anxiety only aroused him more.
"Don't worry; Daddy's got you," he growled in her ear as he slid into her warm, tight heat.
Turning her head, she gave him a dirty look, even as her grip tightened on his shoulders.
He only raised his eyebrows, returning the challenge. She responded by tilting back as far as the tiny space would allow and hitching her long legs under his armpits. The air was humid and heavy with their panting breaths, the room filled with her thick mink cloak and swirling curls.
Bill felt the walls closing in on him, but could only vaguely think, what a way to die.
Carolanne leaned out the open window until the cool night time breeze blew across her flushed face. Mercy, she was hot!
She peered down at the street below. A bum waltzed drunkenly along the sidewalk. A young couple strolled along arm in arm. A man in uniform chatted animatedly to a tart wearing a too-short skirt and too-high heels.
Where was Bill?
She remembered all those times when they were married and he’d initiate their intimacies. She’d done her wifely duties, acting enthusiastic every few months. She’d needed to ensure he never lost interest in her charms, after all.
Did Laura Roslin fake it? Surely she did. Women of their class never enjoyed it--only common trollops and sluts in the gutter felt anything. Bill must have been with women like that. Would he be able to tell the difference now?
Carolanne turned back and stared at her teacup on the coffee table. Perhaps she should have another sip of that tea before he returned, just to be sure...
She flopped into the sofa, the horrid stench of the silly Chinaman’s herbs wafting her way and making her shudder before she even had a chance to pick up her cup. She’d so rather have some gin.
Yes, some sort of alcohol would not only improve the tea’s taste, it could also give her the fortitude she needed to face tonight’s ordeal!
“No one will know,” she said aloud. The impertinent maid was still out slumming it with that greasy Italian. It was too late for the boys to visit. The cur had obviously whimpered until Bill had given in and taken it for a longer walk.
Her decision made, she staggered upright and retrieved a bottle of her favorite spirit from its hiding place. She poured a generous amount into her teacup, pausing a moment to take a long swig straight from the bottle before she carefully returned it to its previous position under her mattress.
Feeling much better, she settled herself back into the sofa’s plush cushions, fluffing her hair and positioning her silky gown to ensure her assets were shown at their best advantage.
She was ready for Bill’s return now, she thought, sipping on her tea. This time, she didn’t want to cool the pleasant flush spreading through her limbs.
Bridgette trudged down the street, lost in her morose thoughts.
Her day had started so promising with the excitement of her new position. Mr Adams had singled her out from all the other maids. However, working alone, without Stewart especially, and getting to know Mrs Carolanne Adams, had quickly dampened her spirits.
Just when her day couldn’t get any worse, she’d run into Enzo. She’d thought--hoped--he’d skipped town after Mr Adams had gone around and roughened him up. Instead, it appeared he was still thinking she would be his ticket to something better in his life. Blackmailing her would be the easy way to get to that something better.
She slowly entered the foyer of Mr Adams’ new apartment building. There was no way she could let anyone could find out about her past.
She was about to press the button to herald the lift when a movement behind her caught her eye. She turned and her eyes widened.
“Jake?” she whispered.
The dog greeted her with a nudge of his cold nose.
“Hey, boy. Watcha doin’ down here?”
She frowned as she petted the dog. His leash was hanging from his collar. She straightened and looked around the empty foyer.
“Maybe I should take you back upstairs.”
Then she heard a thump from the phone room. She slowly approached, finding courage with the dog's close presence.
End ~ Chapter 17