Page 49 of Caught in the Crossfire

Brian snorted. “Whose idea was it to have this much fussy trim work in each apartment?”

Mason grinned. “Wait until we have to paint it.”

A groan. “Don’t remind me. Did you get the locks?”

“Yes, sir.” He handed his boss the receipt and purchase order.

“Excellent. You two pause the molding work and change the locks in Building 8. I want the hardware changed out before you leave the site today, no matter how long it takes.”

Mason glanced at his watch. He and Dean had at least four hours of work ahead of them and Mason was due to take over the watch in another hour. Guess he would have to call someone to cover his guard shift until he could shake free. “We’ll take care of it, sir.”

“I’ll try to give you a hand after everyone else knocks off for the day.” With that, he left.

Mason and Dean gathered their tools, then checked the doors and windows, and locked up behind themselves.

Mason led the way to Building 8 and set down the box of hardware on the living room floor of the first unit. “I need to call someone to watch over Nicole and Dawn.”

His partner grabbed his own cell phone. “I need to call my wife and let her know I’ll be late. She worries when I’m not home on time.” Dean walked to the back door with his screw gun and a new door knob to match the one Mason was ready to install in the front door.

He set his own screw gun on the floor along with the knob and called Linc.

“Is Dawn okay?” was Linc’s greeting.

Huh. Looked like Nicole was correct. The PSI instructor was sweet on Dawn. “Alex Morgan is on watch at the shop. As far as I know, Dawn’s fine.”

“What do you need?”

“A favor. I’ll be tied up for a few hours at the Oakdale site and I’m supposed to take over for Alex in an hour. Can you take part of my shift?”

“No problem. Take your time. I’ll find out what the ladies want for dinner and have food waiting for you. We’re still planning to be at your house tonight?”

“You have a different suggestion?”

“Yeah, my place. My windows are bullet-resistant glass.”

“Sold.” He could still hear the glass shattering as bullets smashed into the windows at Trent’s home. “You sure you don’t mind having three guests in your home?”

“Nope.”

“Thanks, Linc. I owe you.”

“No debt between friends. See you when you get off.”

Mason shoved his phone into his pocket and got to work. Four hours later, he and Dean checked the last unit to be sure the windows were secure, and locked the door.

“I thought we’d never finish.” Dean opened the toolbox in the bed of his truck and stored his tools before locking his equipment. “Did you notice some of those original locks had scratches on them?”

He nodded. “I saved the ones I found to show Brian. It’s possible the cops can pull prints off them.” He wasn’t holding his breath, though. Any self-respecting thief would wear gloves.

His friend grimaced. “The only fingerprints they’ll find will be ours.”

“Probably.” He clapped Dean on the shoulder. “Good work today. Hopefully, we’ll thwart any further sabotage. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Mason unlocked his toolbox and put away his tools before locking the box and double checking that no supplies had been left outside by accident. When he didn’t find anything, he drove to the Oakdale clubhouse where Brian was working.

His boss turned as Mason entered the building. “All finished?”

“Yes, sir. I sent Dean on home.” Mason handed Brian the key ring with the apartment keys identified by unit. “When we changed the hardware, we noticed some of the knobs had fresh scratch marks.”

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