Crime Writer Margot Kinberg

Slap, slap, slap! Angi’s feet pounded out a steady rhythm on the pavement. It was Jen who’d first gotten Angi into running. ‘You should try it,’ she’d urged. Jen swore by it and had finally talked Angi into trying it herself. Now Angi was doing a few miles a day.

The sky was turning the soft pink and orange that come just before daylight, and the cool breeze fanned Angi’s cheeks. For a moment she felt completely transported. Then she heard it. Yup, those were feet coming up behind her. Whoever it was wasn’t too close, but you couldn’t be too careful. Angi glanced around. She’d been right! There was a shadow a few blocks behind her. It looked big enough to be a man, and even though Angi was in good shape, she didn’t want to meet up with whoever-it-was. She took a breath and pushed herself to run faster.

Angi and Jen had talked about runner safety just a week ago. ‘Make sure you carry pepper spray in case someone follows you,’ Jen had warned. It was a good point, and Angi had a mini-can with her in her right front pocket. She’d made sure to prepare this morning. The sound of those feet was getting louder, so Angi took another few breaths and speeded up.

When they’d last spoken, Jen had suggested a route for Angi to run. ‘It’s the best way because it’s pretty flat and there’s not a lot of traffic,’ she’d told Angi. She’d been right, too. No-one was around, and the mostly-dark street was nearly silent. Angi doubted anyone would even know she’d run by. That wasn’t exactly a comforting thought now, as those footsteps kept up their pace. Anything could happen in a place like this. Angi swallowed hard, took some deep, even breaths, and kept going. She’d promised Jen she’d do this, and now there was no going back.

A stray twig snapped under Angi’s heel, making her gasp. ‘Idiot!’ she told herself. It was just a stupid branch. She half-laughed and concentrated again on her running form and her pace. ‘It’s really important to keep your pace even and watch your form,’ Jen had reminded her. ‘You’ll last longer and you won’t have to stop.’ That was the most important thing, Jen had said. Angi agreed.

The footsteps kept coming. Angi glanced around again. Whoever it was, was still far enough behind her that Angi couldn’t make out details. Just as well. It meant she was far ahead enough to be a non-threatening runner out for some morning exercise. Nothing to see here. That would mean that she’d be less of a target, and that would likely keep her safer. Jen had brought that up, too. ‘Most people won’t hassle you. They’ll just see that you’re somebody going for a run. The less attention you call to yourself, the safer you are.’

The sky was getting lighter. It would be daylight soon, and people would be moving around, walking their dogs and leaving for work. Angi was almost at the end of her endurance, and she still had two miles to go. Those footsteps still made soft drum beats on the pavement behind her. They were getting closer, too. Angi could feel sweat beading on her forehead and neck. This wasn’t funny. Somebody was deliberately following her. She looked around. Jen had told her to find some cover – bushes or whatever – to hide behind if she had to. ‘You want to do it before anyone gets too close,’ she’d said. ‘That way, if you do have to take cover, it won’t be obvious and anyone following you will lose you, especially before sunrise.’ Now was the time to take that advice.

Angi saw a hedge just up ahead on the right. She took a quick look behind her. That man (she was pretty sure it was a man) was almost close enough so she could make out his features. She veered sharply to the right and ducked behind the hedge, keeping her breath as quiet and even as she could. Now that she’d stopped running, her heart rate slowed a bit, so she could pay attention to what was going on.

The man was getting closer. Angie could hear the sound of his shoes getting louder. She heard a soft, staticky buzz, too. Maybe he was listening to something on his phone. Angi stayed as quiet as she could, not even moving, so the hedge wouldn’t rustle. Hopefully this guy would just walk by.

After a few minutes, he did. Angie heard his footsteps echo as he passed the hedge. Jen had suggested she wait at least ten minutes and then go in the opposite direction. ‘People won’t expect you to do that, and they’re not going to follow you. You’ll be safer that way.’ It was just as well. Angi needed some rest, so she’d have all her energy for the run back. She risked a peek through the hedge. That man was a cop! Angi shook her head and sighed.

The first streaks of daylight streamed across the sky. Angi quickly checked her phone. It had been twelve minutes, and no footsteps. She could go back now, and she’d be fine. It would be a relief to have people around and be able to see clearly where she was going. ‘You want to be around people,’ Jen had pointed out. ‘That way, they’ll know you’re there, and that’s safer.’

Angi slowly straightened up and turned back in the direction she’d come. She’d done what she’d said she’d do. Jen would be proud of her. Angie had even remembered to wipe the knife and throw it in a trash can before she’d left for her run.

When she got back, Angi called Jen. ‘You did it!’ Jen exclaimed. Bryant was dead, and since Jen was away at a conference, she had the perfect alibi. ‘You’re a good friend,’ Jen said. ‘It’s fine,’ Angi answered. She’d do anything for Jen.