Page 40 of Spiritwarrior

A knock at Ginny’s door had both of them looking toward it.

“Come in!” Ginny yelled out, and Jody opened the door.

Laughing at Sophie’s startled expression, Ginny got up from the table. “I knew it was Jody,” she explained. “I texted him when I was in the kitchen. He wanted to talk to you before you left.” Ginny turned to go into the kitchen. “I’ll get you some coffee, Jody,” she said from over her shoulder.

“Thanks, sis.” Jody pulled out a chair next to where Ginny had been sitting. “I wanted to talk to you before you left. Have you talked to Knox yet?”

Sophie grimaced. “No, I haven’t returned his calls.”

Ginny handed Jody his coffee. “I need to start a load of clothes. I’ll be right back.”

Sophie suspiciously watched Ginny leave before returning her gaze to Jody. “Is something going on I don’t know about?”

“The sheriff discovered who broke into your apartment and needs to know what you want to do.”

Surprised at how quickly the sheriff had apprehended the burglar, she felt a wave of relief flow through her.

“Was it the man who wanted the money Marty owed him?”

“No. It was your neighbor. Baylin.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Come again?”

“Baylin, the woman who lives next to you, is the person who trashed your apartment.”

“Tell me you’re kidding?”

“I wish I could,” he said flatly.

“Your ex-girlfriend? That’s who we’re talking about?”

“Never a girlfriend, but … unfortunately, yes.”

“Did she say what she wanted to steal?”

“She didn’t steal anything. At least, that’s what she said. We won’t know for sure until you go back to your apartment and go through your things.”

“If she didn’t want to steal anything, then why did she break into my apartment?”

Jody stared at her steadily. “She was jealous of you and wanted you to leave town. I’m afraid that’s not all. She’s been talking shit about the restaurant to her coworkers and friends. That’s part of the reason your business has been so slow.”

“But why?” Why had Baylin gone after her like that? She had thought she was nice when she met her at the diner.

“She is jealous of you.”

Sophie sat back in her chair, astounded. “She’s jealous of me? You’re kidding.”

“No, I wouldn’t joke about something like this.”

“There’s no way Baylin is jealous of me. She’s gorgeous.”

“That’s a matter of opinion.”

She gave him a baleful look. “You know she’s gorgeous; why are you acting like she isn’t?”

“I didn’t say she wasn’t, only that Baylin is jealous of you.”

“Why would she be jealous of me? I don’t see her being jealous of me owning the diner or my apartment.”

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