Page 121 of The Fixer

“Yeah, but there’s nothing unusual to see.”

“Show me.”

Charlie cued up the footage from days ago, when he’d first installed the cameras. He pointed at the computer screen. “See? All normal activity. There hasn’t been too much happening when I’m not around, and I’m not seeing anything that stands out.”

Shane chuckled. “Except maybe you mauling your girlfriend. That kinda stands out to me.” Charlie sped past that part and didn’t bother telling Shane he wasn’t sure hehada girlfriend anymore. “You’re sure the cameras were active the whole time? No one messed with them?”

“No, I’m not. But they’re practically invisible. You gotta know what to look for, and even then they’re hard to pick out. Plus, I didn’t tell anyone I put them in. You and I are the only ones who know.”

Shane picked up his hat from the corner of Charlie’s desk and spun it in his hands. “Sounds like you’re doing all the right things, but someone’s a step ahead of you.”

“The question is why?” Charlie looked up at him. “Hey, wanna beer?” Suddenly, he didn’t want to be alone.

“Some other time. I still have to see about those impressions, and I’ve got an early shift tomorrow.”

Charlie walked him out. “Thanks for coming over and looking at this with me.”

“Yeah, no problem.” Shane settled his hat on his head. “You let me know if you hear or see anything else.”

“Will do. I don’t suppose you have any updates on who slashed my tires?”

“No, but I have a feeling that when we find the person or people who lit out of your place tonight, we’ll have the slasher too.”

Joy didn’t waste anytime getting back to the office Sunday morning, even though she hadn’t gotten much sleep.

As she punched in the office key code, her chest constricted, her throat tightened, and a ball of dread that had been expanding in her stomach since she’d left Fall River suddenly filled her like a sixteen-pound bowling ball. With a big gulp of air, she willed herself through the door.

She had donned casual clothes from the Vogue Vault that she’d managed to cram into her bag. Out of her entire wardrobe in every closet, drawer, or shelf inside her condo, they were the only ones that fit comfortably … if one didn’t count her bath robes, which of course were wholly inappropriate for the office. After climbing on the scale this morning, she had to admit she had added a few pounds in Colorado. The scale might be off by a few pounds, but not a whole twelve. Later today she would shop, though the prospect was more daunting than exciting.

The sound of fingers clicking a keyboard electrified the hairs on her arms and neck. As she crept down the hall leading to her corner office, she spied Estelle craning her neck toward her computer screen.

Estelle looked over her shoulder.

“What are you doing here?” they both yelped at the same time.

“I work here!” Estelle barked.

“So do I!”

Estelle lowered her glasses down the bridge of her nose. “Do you, though?”

Joy was mid-eye-roll when Estelle jumped up and threw her arms wide. “I’m only kidding. It’s so good to see you!” She pulled Joy in for a tight hug.

“Uh …”Oh, what the hell?Joy hugged her back. She was so breaking the rules about employer-employee physical contact, but the warm touch feltsurprisingly good. Joy hadn’t been held in the last twenty-four hours, and she missed it.

Estelle pulled back, her hands grasping Joy’s upper arms. “Look at you! You look fantastic! That mountain air obviously agreed with you.”

“It did?”

“Yeah. You look … healthier. Your skin absolutely glows.”

Joy was about to suggest it was her makeup but quickly remembered she’d skipped the face paint because she hadn’t expected to run into anyone on a Sunday morning.

Huh.

“Ooh, and I like the casual vibe of the jeans and the fluttery top. This is a very different look for you, but it suits you.” Estelle released her.

“So it’s Sunday, yet you’re here.”

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