My quiet neighbor asked me to watch his cat, then he disappeared. Weeks later, when I found a key hidden inside the cat’s collar and a note instructing me to go to an apartment. What I found there made me call 911 — and accuse an innocent man of something unforgivable.I lived in a quiet but friendly neighborhood. People didn’t just live here; they belonged here.But Mr. White was different. He moved into the house across from mine three years ago. He looked to be about 50, maybe 10 years older than me.On his first day, I decided to be the welcoming committee. I walked over with a loaf of banana bread and knocked on the door.It creaked open just enough for him to stare at me like he’d just seen a ghost.

“Welcome to the neighborhood. I’m Anna.”didn’t smile back. He mumbled a “thank you” so low I barely heard it, then he shut the door.I knocked again. “Your banana bread!”The door opened briefly enough for him to take the plate and smile awkwardly at me.I never saw that plate again.I figured he was just shy… extremely shy.Still, I felt his presence. One day, soon after he moved in, I was planting white tulips when I felt like someone was watching me.I looked up suddenly.He was standing by his car, holding a grocery bag. His cat was weaving around his ankles.When our eyes met, he lifted his hand in a stiff, awkward wave.