Page 658 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“And nothing was stolen?”

Her eyes met his in a challenge. “That’s right.”

“Syd, one of these days you’re going to have to learn to trust me.”

She studied the enigmatic expression on his face. What was she seeing? Compassion? Mockery? It was impossible to tell. “Trust, Mr. O’Conner, is something that has to be earned.”

The day’sevents left Sydney emotionally drained. She pulled into her driveway and got out of the jeep. Hazel’s perfume floated through the air as welcoming as a loaf of freshly baked bread. Louellen’s explanation about Hazel had deeply touched Sydney, and she wanted to befriend her. She spotted her standing by the edge of her flowerbed dressed in a sky blue muu muu. Dixie was draped like a blanket across her arm.

Sydney waved. “Hello Hazel.”

Hazel stopped petting her cat and looked sternly at Sydney. “Hazel can’t warn Sydney.”

Fear returned with a vengeance, leaving Sydney’s mouth dry. “Warn me about what?” Her mind reeled. Hazel had undoubtedly seen the police car last night. Was it possible that she’d also seen something else? “Hazel,” Sydney said, keeping her voice gentle. “Did you see someone at my house last night?”

“Louellen said not to meddle in other people’s business.”

Sydney swallowed hard. “No, Hazel. You’re not meddling. If you saw someone, I need to know.”

Hazel backed away, shaking her head. “No, no, no. I’m not supposed to cause trouble.” She was still muttering as she disappeared around the back of the house.

“What time are you leaving today?”

Sydney looked up from her desk to see Sean enter the room. “In about five minutes. I’m just going over the OSHA report so I’ll have everything ready when Jake comes tomorrow.” Sydney took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It seemed that everyone in the sawmill was breathing a little easier ever since they’d passed their most recent inspection. Everyone, that is, except her. She’d been in a state of constant turmoil ever since Avery’s journal had been stolen.

“What time is the meeting?”

“I think he’s coming at ten.” Jake Roberts had scheduled a follow-up meeting with Sydney and Sean to go over the OSHA report. Sydney wanted to make sure she had all her ducks in a row before tomorrow.

Sean leaned against the doorframe and studied her face. “Are you doing okay, Syd? You look a little edgy.”

Edgy? That was the understatement of the year. No, I’m not okay, she wanted to scream. Her whole world was falling apart. What little security she finally managed to gain was snatched away. Someone broke into her house, invaded her privacy, and caused her to be afraid of her own shadow. She only got about two hours of sleep the night before because she was too busy jumping every time she heard the slightest noise—the floor creaking, the rumble of the ice machine. That’s all it took to send her scurrying like a mouse under the covers. She tucked a strandof hair behind her ear. “I’m fine,” she said, looking down at the paperwork on her desk.

“Good, I’m glad to hear it.”

It was all Sydney could do to not smirk at his comment. Lip service, that’s all he was. He wasn’t concerned about her. He was too busy thinking about Sean.

He looked at his watch. “I’ll meet you by your jeep in about five minutes.”

Her head shot up. “What?”

“Didn’t you say that you needed five more minutes to finish up?”

“Well, yes but?—”

“I need your help with something.”

She shook her head. “Okay, whatever.”

Five minutes later she found Sean leaning against her jeep. She didn’t bother to hide the annoyed expression that was twisting its way over her face. “All right. I’m here. What do you need?”

He seemed oblivious to her dark mood and instead went to the passenger side of his truck, unlocked the door, and held it open for her. “Let’s go in mine.”

Her eyebrow arched. “Where?”

A smile softened his chiseled jaw. “You’ll see.”

Her briefcase felt heavy in her hand. “Sean, I’m really tired. I don’t think?—”

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