Chapter 86

“OK” Elle nodded. “Where do you want to start?”

“Let’s start in here. I’ll throw in a load of laundry” Looking at the closet I had an idea. “While it’s washing, we can start going through all the junk in there.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Bravely, Elle opened the closet again. She sighed and grabbed an arm full of clothes. I went to grab some too when my phone went off. Looking at the screen I saw it was VD again. Exchanging looks with Elle, I answered with it on speakerphone.

“What’d up Chief?” I couldn’t keep the laughter out of my voice. A deep sigh came across the phone.

“Are you at your apartment, Kenna?” He sounded calm. Collected. Not at all annoyed that we had out maneuvered him. Elle and I exchanged looks. Neither of us trusted him.

“Yep. Got here a few minutes ago.” Elle and I fought the urge to giggle. It felt like we were lying to a parent about when we got to a friends house.

“I’m glad you got there safe. Please be careful. We don’t know who might be looking for you.” He sounded all police like.

“We are safely in the house with the doors locked.” I assured him.

“What about Betty?” I frowned. I told him we had secured her as best we could with the broken window.

“Can’t you put her in the garage?” Elle snickered at his question. I shushed her.

“How do you know I have a garage?” It got oddly quiet on his side.

“How’s the packing going?” He changed the topic.

“We’ve made some progress. But it will take time to pack up fifteen years’ worth of stuff.” I told him while wondering why he really called.

“You’ve only lived there for three years.” He corrected me. Oh yeah, remind me of the stalking he had his buddy do for him

“Dude, you haven’t seen the garage!” Elle shouted as she dashed down the stairs. I giggled as I heard the garage door open.

“What is she talking about?” VD sound scared. Which he should be, but, for different reasons.

“What? Didn’t your stalker buddy get pics from inside my house?” I fired back. He sighed.

“Come on, Andretti. Cut me some-“ His voice cut off as I heard a ding on his end. Then he laughed way too hard.

“What?” I heard Elle coming up the stairs snickering. “What?”

“I sent him pic of your garage.” She snickered again.

“Why?” I shot her a look that let her know she was traitor.

“He needs to know what I’m dealing with here.” She shook her head sadly.

Finally, VD could speak again. “I’ve arranged for movers to be there this afternoon. So have your underwear packed by then.”

He ended the call before I could argue. Elle and I looked at each other. I shook my head. “Dude.”

“Agreed.” We ran for the closet. Quickly we sorted the clothes into separate colors and threw the first load in the washer in the bathroom.

With that started, we turned to the junk filling the shelves. We made three piles: keep, donate, and trash. Hopefully the movers came with boxes. I guess we should have asked.

We’d been working for a few hours when we decided to stop for lunch. Agreeing that the only food appropriate for moving was pizza. I called in the order while Elle moved the laundry from the washer to the dryer. We had packed most of my clothes into my luggage so my underwear was properly dealt with.

I went into the garage to find all the amazon boxes that were stacked on the rack near the door. Who knew that my refusal to give up perfectly good boxes would come in handy? I dug out some duct tape from my toolbox that was beside the shelf.

As I went back into the house, there was a knock on the door. It seemed a bit soon for the pizza. Being cautious, I moved silently to the door to look out the peep hole. I laughed when I saw what was on the porch.

“Elle!” I called as I swung open the door. She came down the stairs with a confused expression.

“Vince?” I nodded since that was who I assumed was behind it. On the porch were four bundles of boxes of various sizes and a box of packing tape. Plus, a twelve pack of cherry coke.

“That man confuses me.” I shook my head as we brought in the delivery. “He’s mad we took off without telling him, yet he sends us packing supplies and soda?”

Elle and I looked at each other dubiously. The actions weren’t matching the expectations. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

“If you are thinking we are being played, then yes.” I answered her. Looking the delivery order over, it had a sticker with VD’s name on it. Of course that didn’t mean it was from him. Or it could be from him and he’s the one messing with us. I grunted in frustration.

“Same.” Elle agreed. She pulled out her phone. “We have to call him. Something is off.”

We heard the line ring a couple of times before VD answered. “Hey Bells! How goes the packing?”

“Oh, it’ll go better now that we have a bunch of boxes.” She led with. I gave her a thumbs up. Good way to find out if he did it or not.

“You ladies got my present?” We looked at each other. Ok, so he had sent them. That was good. I think.

“We did.” I answered. “Thank you. It’ll make things so much easier.”

“Not a problem. I’m glad I could help.” He paused to say something to someone. He must have covered the phone because I could make out what it was. “Hopefully you guys can get a good start on packing before the movers get there. I have to deal with some stuff here, so I’ll let you get back to it. Stay safe.”

He ended the call before we could say anything. We didn’t say anything as we just looked at each in confusion. Why wasn’t he yelling? Why wasn’t he threatening to come get us? Have the locals sit on us?

Finally I spoke. “Did he seem um-“

“Smug?” Elle finished for me when I broke off. I nodded. A thought had my eyes widening as they swung up to Elle’s. Her face reflected the same thought. “Pull up the cameras!”