#Chapter 52: Possible Murder

I heard the pounding in my sleep, and for a moment I squinted at the wall, my view obstructed by my comforter. But then it came again, and I sat up. My phone pinged at almost the exact same time. It was Charles. I'm outside your door. "What?" I said to the phone, now fully awake. I'd had five missed texts and two missed calls from him. I'm coming! I texted and there were no more knocks as I floundered out of bed, stepping into my slippers and pulling on my robe, the deciding it was too frumpy and pulling on a cardigan over my camisole. I scowled at my reflection, hastily brushing down my hair and scraping away some crust around my inner eye. Deep breath. I opened the door. Charles looked up from his phone, looking grave. My stomach dropped. "What's wrong?" I stood aside for him to come in, his scent mixed with stress pheromones. Something was amiss. He didn't stop walking until he got across my small living room. He looked out the sliding glass door onto t