Stranger In The Night. Catherine Palmer

she spoke, the three stepped out of the shadows, the dog at their side. Young men. In the light, she saw their white T-shirts. Haven garb? One held Duke’s leash. The canine whimpered. Were these good kids? Or Hypes?

      A glance at the entwined pair in the distance gave her little hope. They’d be no help. Raydell and Shauntay had other things on their minds.

      “They’ve got the dog,” Joshua said. “They want us to know that. It’s a first step. They’ll try to take you next.”

      “They don’t want me. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation for this.”

      Sensing a transformation in Joshua that frightened her, Liz touched his shoulder. “The police are on the way—I just called. Relax. We’ll find out what’s going on.”

      She heard him breathing. Sensed the strain of muscle against fabric. Saw the knife in his hand.

      This man would erupt, she understood suddenly. He would kill.

      Before he could move, she stepped around him. At that moment, the dog leaped.