Page 105 of My Mistake To Make

Rushing up the porch steps, I see the door wide open. The kitchen light is on, and a lamp is lit in the living room, where the window is smashed, and Cara’s belongings are thrown all over the room. Her sofa is slashed, and there are feathers from the cushions everywhere. It’s trashed.

I sweep downstairs. There’s no sign of anybody, so I head upstairs. I check that Cara’s bedroom is still locked, then check the other rooms. There’s nobody up here, and it doesn’t appear they came up at all. Everything is as it was.

I pull my cell out of my pocket.

‘Doug,’ she breathes my name, relief at my call pouring out of her.

‘I’m here, baby. You can come out.’

I hear the distant click of the bathroom lock, then the bedroom door, before she steps out onto the landing and rushes into my arms.

‘I felt so useless.’ She huffs, annoyed, and I laugh. I can’t help it.

‘What do you mean, useless?’

‘I’m not some wee damsel. I should have gone and confronted them, but I knew you’d tell me off if I did.’

‘You’re damn right, I would.’ I press my lips to her head. ‘They’re gone now, but it’s a mess downstairs.’

‘Do you think…’

‘I don’t know, but it’s pretty spectacular timing if it wasn’t her. I’m going to call Bree. You want to get dressed before she gets here?’

She nods and heads back into her room, and I call the Chief.

‘We’re going to need to talk to Jessie,’ Bree says as she stands with us in Cara’s kitchen. ‘The threats she made yesterday, and then this—pretty big coincidence. Is anything missing?’

‘I don’t know.’ Cara sighs, leaning back against me on her stool. ‘I’m not used to where everything is yet, so I can’t spot if something is out of place. Does that make sense?’

Bree nods, yes. Cara barely got to live here, and now this.

‘Okay, honey, leave it with me. We’ll be out of here soon, and you can get cleaned up and secured.’ She glances up at me, knowing I’ll be the one securing the window and changing the locks. Bree turns and walks into the living room, where Deputy Jenna is making herself busy.

I reach down and spin Cara’s stool so that she’s facing me.

‘You okay?’

She nods and gifts me a little half-smile. ‘If this was Jessie, I don’t want her to get into any trouble.’

What? My wide-eyed expression must give my confusion away.

‘She’s hurt, Doug. She’s just realized she’s finally going to have to let you go, and she’s probably going to lose Bo. I know it will help your case if she’s charged with this, but I don’t know. I mean, I don’t know her, but it feels like she’s just lashing out, maybe even a cry for help.’

Huh. I don’t know about that.

‘Why would you be nice to her after this?’

‘She’s Bowie’s mum.’

And just like that, my perspective gets a little clearer. Cara is going to be in Bowie’s life. She knows it as much as I do, so Jessie is going to be a part of hers.

It’s Not Here

Cara

When Zoe asked Dougif she could take Bowie away to the beach for a couple of nights, I was relieved that he could relax. He’s been so on edge this week. Jessie has disappeared, with no contact with Doug or Bowie, and he’s just expecting something to blow up at any moment. Knowing Bowie is safe and enjoying herself with Zo means he can at least breathe a little easier on that front.

Leo is in town, visiting his dad, and has invited Doug for a beer to talk about everything, so I’ve decided to take Lynnie up on her offer to come and look through more of her photos and learn a bit more about the town.

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