Chapter 2: Intrusion

Slaton should have been looking at the sky, but Brenna unknowingly captured all of his attention. She was striking. The unusual pale hair that was almost white made her stand out. Her dark blue eyes could mesmerize anyone. But it was her bright and all-inclusive smile that sunk Slaton. He had such fun sparring with her. She was quick with the retorts and very smart. She fit in so well with his family, too. Whenever he was around her his heart always beat faster, and he seemed to have trouble breathing. Deep down he knew she was the one that would be electrifying in so many ways. He just needed to know if she felt the same way. There was only one way to find out and that was to test the waters. He just wasn't entirely sure how to handle Eaton. Was Brenna serious about him? How serious did Eaton really feel about her? Were they lovers? Slaton's stomach tightened as the thoughts raced through him.

They talked about various things as they continued stargazing. A chill went over Brenna that Slaton noticed. "We need to get you home." She nodded and they began gathering up the little that remained and walked to Slaton's old truck. It had seen better days, but still ran well and did the job required. Brenna had walked to the beach earlier as she lived in town and loved the walk, but with the cooler weather, she was happy the walk was not required for the return trip. It didn't take them long to reach her apartment building. Getting out, Slaton ran to her side and walked her to the door.

It was an old building that dated back to the prohibition era. Brenna loved the ornate carvings over the door and the gilded entryway that had seen better days. She lived on the top floor five flights up. The elevator was temperamental and could stop at any time, no matter who was in the car. One incident was more than enough for Brenna to decide taking the stairs each day was the wisest thing.

"Thank you for the ride home and the beautiful view of the comet." Brenna smiled at her front door.

"No problem. Anything for a lovely lady."

Brenna rolled her eyes. "You're so full of it."

Slaton smiled back with a wolfish grin. "Tell me about it." She was a little surprised at the slight change in his tone. Instead of just jesting, there was a sexual charge behind the words and the grin. A part of her tingled at this prospect. Maybe there was something more going on here. She was slightly curious. Her relationship with Eaton was more casual than serious, but did she really want to make her life more complicated?

Brenna leaned back against the door wondering what was to come next, but what happened took them completely by surprise. The door opened under Brenna's weight sending her falling backwards. Slaton grabbed her before she could fall completely. As Slaton held her against him, they looked at each other in surprise, the intimate moment no longer there.

"Did you leave your door unlocked?" he whispered as he looked behind her into the dark apartment. The light in the hallway barely penetrated the interior. He looked at Brenna's now wide eyes as she shook her head no. Pushing her behind him, he crept into the silent apartment with the hair on the back of his neck standing up. He felt something, but wasn't sure what. Every sense came alive ready to protect the woman behind him.

There was not a sound in the place. Brenna followed closely behind him as he moved from room to room periodically looking at her for any sign of something being out of place. In each room she shook her head silently. Once he knew the coast was clear, he turned on the light to her bedroom. Nothing jumped out. He looked at her questioningly.

Brenna moved from behind him and went around the room. It was a plain room with off-white walls and a simple full sized bed in the middle. A dresser and a few bookshelves were the only other furniture in the room. At the bed, she stopped. Reaching out she touched the dark brown bedspread and moved her hand up until she touched the folded nightgown on the pillow. She pulled back and stepped away from the bed.

"That wasn't there when I left. I always put my gown under my pillow."

Slaton, looking closer at the cotton fabric neatly lying on the waiting pillow, walked over to the bed. "Could you have been in a hurry?"

"No, because the one I wore is still under there. I can see it peeking out from here. That gown was in my drawer this morning." Under the pillow a piece of yellow fabric hung against the pink of the sheets.

Slaton pulled out his cell phone. "I'm calling the police." Brenna didn't protest. She realized that in her distress, she had not even thought of calling Eaton.

Brenna made them some hot chocolate as they waited on the police. She really wanted something stronger, but she had to do something with her hands. As she waited on the drink to heat up, she moved around the kitchen trying to keep busy. She began putting up the dishes in the little dish rack wondering if whoever had been in her home had touched them. She turned around and looked at the dated kitchen. It was very evident that it had not been remodeled since the seventies. Her apartment held nothing of any real value. Why would someone break in? It just didn't make sense.