A Bounty of Pictures

Chapter 4

I sit at a table just outside the door waiting for Parker to pick me up. Couples walk along holding hands while groups of friends jaywalk across the streets. Our town is small but there's always something going on so the streets have never been bare as long as I've lived. Especially since there's a community college close by. Not even a possible murder can stop people from coming out of their houses.

I check my phone, waiting to see a text from Parker. A business man steps out of the cafe with a steaming to-go cup in hand. He sets the briefcase on a green metal table on the other side of the patio. I start to ignore him as he talks on the phone to what I assume is a co-worker.

I scroll through the local news for anything relating to crime. Where is Parker? The man hangs up and starts to walk off without his coffee. I grab his cup and start to run after him, "sir!"

He turns around. I've seen his frame before. I shake the thought and hold out his coffee.

"Thank you."  I let go of the cup, believing he took it and our eyes slowly watch the cup drop to the ground. "I am so sorry. Did I get anything on your uniform?"

I check my shirt and shake my head.  "No." I bend down to pick up the cup, "it was my fault." He looks at me strange.

"Chloe Jansen?" He asks. "Mike Porter."

I shake his hand, "how do you know my name?"

"Editor of the city paper. May I ask a few questions?"

"No thank you." Parker pulls up just in time. "I should be going. Nice to meet you." I run towards the blue truck.

"Who was that?" Parker asks looking in the rearview mirror.

"Mike Porter, the editor of the city paper."
Parker drives a little while until he glances at me. "Mike Porter isn't an editor. Dads friend from high school is."

I watch a group of kids as Parker let's them cross the street.

"So, you mean some dude I just confirmed my name who isn't the editor of a newspaper?"

"Chloe!" Parker lets out a frustrated sigh. "This is too much. I've worried about you after last night. I've become so protective."

"I don't blame you! But I can take care of myself."

"I'm pretty sure you can't because you just gave your name to some random person!"

"Okay so I made one mistake!" I don't even notice my voice rising until Parker shifts into park in my driveway. "Thanks for the ride." I barely mumble.

I slam the front door and flip on every light I walk by towards the kitchen. Mom and dad wouldn't be home from the hospital until late tonight. There's a huge pile up accident on the highway with dozens of people in critical condition.

I pop some leftovers in the microwave and look up Mike Porter. The results appear of a man with graying hair and standing in a suit as a business hair. The Mike Porter at work had all too dark brown hair.

I stab my fork into the slice of meatloaf when the doorbell rings. I look up from the plate and glance out the kitchen window over the sink. It's practically dark. An outline of a man stands in front of the door when I glance out the window. Parker.

I breathe a sigh of relief and open the door.

"Hey." He breathes.

"What are you doing here?" I ask. He slips his keys in his pocket.

"Can we talk?"

"About what?"

"Stuff." I open the door wide enough for him to step in then lock it behind us.

I cross my arms, "what stuff?"

"We need to come up with a plan."

"For what?" I sit back on the kitchen chair. Parker stands, that's unusual. By now he'd already have a plate filled with random food.
He rolls his hazelnut eyes and the chair legs make a screech as he yanks it out.

"Stop acting like this!" He said. I play with the meatloaf to avoid his eyes. "Are you okay? You haven't acted like yourself since Friday."

"I don't know. Maybe because Harlow doesn't believe me." I can't help the sass in my voice as much as I want to control it. "And you haven't acted like yourself either."

"Chloe, all the evidence leads to Friday except for the date on your camera. He'll realize it soon enough." I roll my eyes and push away the last bite of dinner.

"I doubt it. Everyone knows that when Harlow comes up with an idea he won't let it go." My phone vibrates from mom texting me.

"How's the accident?" Parker tries to change the subject as I focus on the keyboard in front of me.

I shrug, "I don't know. Mom and dad won't be home until one."

"Want to watch a movie until they get back?" He suggests.

My eyes click with his, "did my mom tell you to stay here until they come home?"

"Nope." The left side of his lip doesn't curl up into a smile. I rinse off the plate in the sink and join Parker in the living room. Mom painted the walls a very light clay color which complimented the ivory couch and beige carpet. But to spice it up she bought ocean blue pillows for the couch. If mom wasn't a paramedic she'd probably be an interior designer.

Parker rests his arm on one of the pillows while flipping through the movie channels to find a movie. I play with the ends of my hair until he finds something interesting. I lean against his side, looking up at his hair.  His hair almost reminds me of Phillip Phillips. I laugh at the thought. Parker can be country but his music taste doesn't fit.

"So what's going on tomorrow?" I ask.

"Besides school?"

"Yeah."

"Probably meet with Harlow."

I look back up at him, "why does Harlow always contact you? He has my number."

Parker shrugs. We sit in silence for a while. The independent film's characters continue through their daily lives dealing with the conflict that I'm not even sure of anymore.
Parker texts his mom to ask her to leave the front door unlocked.

The protagonist cries on his bed. He openly admits his feelings, something I've never been good at. I always sucked them in until I can't bear it. My phone vibrates with a text from Josie.

Josie: ty so much! Seth asked me out! ... or actually I kind of hinted it to him... lol!
Me: congrats! I didn't do anything for you but you're welcome! Lol. Going to hoco next week w a date then? ;)
Josie: yes!
Me: well congrats again!
Josie: btw I was doing some investigating and Peyton LIVES near the scene! So after school tomorrow I'm going over there w Seth & Peyton to check it out. Want to come?

I sit there for a moment. Would I really want to? I mean it could trigger something, something that could help the police. I look over at Parker who's half awake.

Me: sure.

I rest my head against Parker's slowly rising chest before drifting off to sleep to let the nightmares of Friday take over.