Anonymously Yours Read Online Free PDF

last night. Right now, a day in the park was the furthest thing from my mind.
    “Would you mind if we just hung around here for awhile?” I suggested instead. I put my hand to my forehead. “I seem to be coming down with a slight headache.”
    Truthfully, I was hoping to sneak away to Benton Street and see if I could learn more about the incident at Mr. Black’s. Someone in that neighborhood must have some idea of what happened. After all, bodies don’t just disappear. With any luck, someone would be outside willing to talk about it.
    I smiled at Justin. “I can find us something to eat here.”
    He reached for the door. “Sure, if that’s what you want.” He exited his side, then circled the front and opened my door. “Maybe we could go for a walk later. We could stop by the diner for dessert.” He shot me a wink. “You could actually have someone wait on you for a change.”
    “That’s a great idea.” We could take the long way around Benton Street, I realized. The squeal of sirens in this quiet neighborhood would be cause for concern. Someone must have seen or heard something.
    Our hands entwined automatically. The gesture felt comforting, familiar. I hoped Justin and I could repair our broken relationship. But only if he could learn to accept me as I was. I refused to be molded into something I wasn’t.
    Rooting around in the refrigerator, I pulled out salad dressing, onions, and pickles. In the cabinet beneath the microwave, I located a can of tuna fish. Making quick work, I assembled the ingredients into a bowl and placed it on the table. I filled two tall glasses with ice and set a two-liter bottle of soda next to Justin. Reaching for a bag of potato chips and a loaf of bread from the pantry, I took the chair next to him.
    We ate in companionable silence until Justin finally broke the spell.
    “Hey,” he said, his mouth still full. He washed down the sandwich with a swig of his soda. “Weren’t you on Benton Street this morning returning a guy’s wallet?” His blue eyes widened in accusation.
    My jaw dropped, but the words were lost as I struggled for something to say. “Uh…I…”
    Justin lowered his sandwich, resting his elbows on the table. “Denise?” he said again. “Please tell me you weren’t the one who phoned the police this morning.”
    When I didn’t answer right away, he leaned closer. He cupped my chin with his strong, masculine hands, his eyes questioning. When he spoke again, his voice was low, almost a whisper. “Denise?”
    I swallowed hard, the sandwich suddenly dry and tasteless. My eyes clamped tight as I forced down the sandwich now lodged in my throat. I remained silent, contemplating my response to the unexpected question. How could I explain to Justin what I had seen this morning? How could I explain it to anyone! Somehow I had to make Justin understand that I had no reason to make up such an unbelievable story. I knew there was a dead woman in that house this morning. I saw her!
    When my eyes opened, Justin was staring at me. His eyes were wide with disbelief.
    His voice barely audible, he asked again, “Was it you?”
    I expelled a gust of air from my lungs. I nodded, lifting my chin to meet his questioning gaze. “Yes,” I said vehemently. “I made that call this morning. And it was no prank. I know what I saw!”
    My appetite gone, I placed the remainder of the tasteless sandwich onto the napkin. I took another deep breath before I finally relayed the details of my frightening discovery at Michael Black’s house to Justin.
    When I had finished, I lowered my gaze to the table. My fingers lightly traced over the floral patterned tablecloth while I awaited his response. His prolonged silence was evidence enough that he was having a difficult time believing what I had just told him.
    “Are you absolutely sure about this?”
    It wasn’t the response I expected. My head sprang up. My fist pounded the table. I met his doubtful expression with a defiant glare.