So she’d escaped without Jay noticing she’d taken the vial and here she was, driving toward campus, checking her rearview mirror for looming dark vans. Had it been navy blue? Black? Charcoal gray? She didn’t know. She hadn’t gotten a clear view of the plates, but had thought they weren’t from out of state. The windows had seemed tinted but she didn’t know the make. Maybe a Ford. Or a Chevy. Something domestic.

So much for her incredible powers of observation.

The defroster in her Honda had decided to malfunction and was giving her fits. She had to keep the window down in order to see through her windshield to the wet, shiny streets. It was already dark with clouds completely blocking the rapidly setting sun, rain drizzling from the sky, and night coming fast.

Thankfully, traffic was thin and sparse on a Sunday evening and there was a chill in the air that reminded her that it was the dead of winter.

Jay had left for his meeting as Kristi headed to Father Mathias’s morality play, yet another rendition of Everyman, though Jay had made a last protest.

“I don’t like you going to the play alone,” he’d said seriously as she was getting ready to leave. “I can cancel with Hollister. She just wants to discuss how the class is coming along, I think. Compare it to how Dr. Monroe handled it. But it’s not a big deal, I can reschedule.”

“I don’t think it would be good if we’re seen together.”

“Someone already has,” he remarked. “And took a video.”

“Don’t remind me.” She’d grimaced. “Besides, Hollister is head of your department.”

“I don’t have to see her today. Besides, I’ve talked with Dr. Monroe a couple of times since I took over and I’ve got her notes to work with. I’m pretty much sticking to her curriculum. If she comes back next term, she’ll be good to go.”

“Is she returning?” Kristi asked.

“Don’t know. Depends on the relocation of her mother. She’s having trouble finding the right place for her.”

“So you don’t have any idea if you’re going to be teaching next term?”

“Not yet. Though maybe you could convince me to take the job if it’s offered.”

He waggled his brows lasciviously and she laughed as she headed out.

It was dark now, her headlights catching all the raindrops falling in silver streaks to the pavement. She was halfway to All Saints when her cell phone rang. She expected it to be Jay, once again warning her to be careful.

“Hello?” she said, turning into the parking lot of her apartment building.