Left Behind at the Crosswalk of Life novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: The Watch

Minnie's POV

I let myself into the brick house on Wolcott at noon, because Slade's calendar said he was showing condos until four.

My key still worked.

Nolan had made me promise to tell him the next thing before it happened, so I texted him from the porch.

Me: Going in for my father's watch. Fifteen minutes. Sending my location.

Nolan: I'm coming.

Me: You're on shift. Stay. I'll call from the car.

He sent back a thumbs-up, which from Nolan meant he hated it.

The house smelled of Slade's cologne and lemon polish, and nothing in it was mine except the kitchen.

My father's watch was in the top drawer of Slade's study desk.

I had handed it over the week of the courthouse wedding, because Slade said a husband should keep the family heirloom safe.

The drawer was locked, so I pried it open with a letter opener.

The watch lay in its box, and under the box was a cheap black phone I had never seen.

The corner of its screen was cracked.

I put the watch on my wrist, where it hung loose, because my father had thick wrists.

I put the black phone in my coat pocket.

Then I heard the front door open.

"Min?" Slade called, cheerful. "The neighbor's doorbell camera says my wife is home."

My stomach went tight.

A neighbor had texted him a picture of me on the porch.

He appeared in the study doorway in his navy suit, smiling.

"You didn't tell me you were coming, wife."

"I came for my father's watch."

"It's in my desk."

"It was my father's."

"Everything in this house is mine, sweetheart." He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. "Your money paid the deposit, and my name is on the deed."

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