Free The Perfect Neighbors by Sarah Pekkanen Page A

children.
    She’d reached into her pocket for her cell phone and had dialed 911.
    â€œI’m at a playground and there’s a strange man lurking around here,” Tessa had said, her voice sounding official. It was her job to protect her child—to protect all children. She was part of the village! “He’s taking videos of a little girl. He doesn’t seem to be with anyone.”
    â€œAddress, please?” the emergency operator had said, and Tessa had given her the name of the park and the precise location. She’d described the man and said she’d wait by the swings until a police officer arrived.
    She’d kept a close watch on the man. He’d put the video camera away, but he was still staring at the children, hiding behind that tree, one hand resting on it as his face peered around the side. His other hand was still in his pocket. Tessa hadn’t been able to see his face clearly, but she’d committed his general height, weight, and hair color to memory.
    The police came within five minutes, the squad car’s tires grinding against gravel as it pulled in to the parking lot. The lights and siren were off, but a male and female officer had gotten out quickly and walked toward the swings. Tessa had pulled a protesting Bree out of the bucket seat, settling her daughter on her hip as she went to meet them.
    â€œI’m the one who called,” Tessa had said. She’d felt a little thrill of excitement—finally, something was interrupting her dull existence!—as she pointed to the man. “He’s right there.”
    â€œPlease stay back here, ma’am,” the female officer had said. She was young but had a competent, no-nonsense air about her. The two officers began walking toward the man, spreading apart slightly, which Tessa had suspected was so that they’d be able to cover more angles in case he tried to bolt. He didn’t even notice them until they came up beside him.
    Tessa hadn’t been able to hear what they said, but after a moment she’d seen the man spread out his arms, palms up. I didn’t do anything! the gesture had seemed to say.
    Check his video camera , Tessa had thought with satisfaction. You’ll see exactly what he did.
    She’d edged a little closer, despite the officer’s warning. Most perverts were cowards; he wouldn’t dare do anything to her now. Let him try! She’d sock him in the nose. The officers were still talking, and now the man was pulling his video camera out of his pocket and holding it up for them to see.
    Tessa had stopped moving when she saw a woman running toward the pervert. The woman had put a hand on the old man’s arm as she talked to the officers. Then the officers had stepped back, their posture relaxing. The woman had spoken to them for another minute, then looked over at Tessa. She’d shaken her head, her expression grim, and begun to walk over. Tessa’s stomach had plummeted.
    â€œAre you the one who called the police?” the woman had asked. Tessa had nodded mutely, her throat dry.
    â€œMy father fought in the first Persian Gulf war,” the woman had said. Her eyes were bright and her voice sharp. “He has an old injury. There wasn’t anywhere for him to sit down and his leg was stiffening up so he leaned against the tree for support.”
    Tessa had swallowed hard, feeling blood rush to her face. “I’m so sorry . . . ,” she’d begun.
    â€œLook, I appreciate you trying to protect our kids, but you really jumped to conclusions,” the woman had said. Her voice had a little quaver in it and she was clutching her hands together tightly. By now the other parents at practice had all been looking toward the officers. “Why didn’t you just ask my dad what he was doing? You embarrassed him.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Tessa had whispered again. She’d looked at thenanny for support, but the