Page 48 of Smoldering Nights
“She’s good,” Mitch interrupted.“But thanks.”
Jayson moved past them and began packing up the old locks.Mitch held Noah’s gaze until the man gave a nervous half-shrug and backed toward the door.
“Alright, well… see you around.”
Once Noah left, Mitch turned to Jayson.“That didn’t feel right.”
“Nope.Creepy vibe’s off the charts.”
“He knows now that the locks are being changed.That may escalate his behavior, if he's our guy."
Izzy stepped toward them."I thought you were looking at Travis."
Mitch turned to look into her eyes."Honey, we're looking at everyone."
Izzy's shoulders slumped."Oh my Lord.I don't even know what to think or do.I feel like everything about this place is jinxed."
Mitch faced her and placed a hand on each of her shoulders.He bent his knees to look into her eyes."It isn't jinxed, but someone wants you scared.Maybe scared enough to sell the shop."
She inhaled a deep breath and nodded slowly."Who wants me gone except Delilah?"
Mitch shook his head."Maybe just Delilah, and she enlisted help."
Izzy's green eyes stared into his for a long time.He grinned."We're changing our tactics.Setting a trap to finally get ahead of whoever it is.Now, answer a quick question for me.Have you even taken your pruning shears into the cooler?"
She shook her head slowly."No.Those are only kept in the greenhouse."
Mitch nodded, then looked at Jayson.
Jayson smirked.“I’m on it.”
Later that night, Mitch sat at the dining room table, his laptop open in front of him.Footage from the courthouse camera played on a loop, grainy night video of Noah’s car parked along the curb across from Petal Pushers.Just sitting.Lights off.Engine cold.
“Three nights this week,” Jayson said, from the computer screen, pointing at the timestamps.“Not delivering.Not moving.Just watching.”
Mitch’s jaw clenched.“Why the hell is he watching her shop at 11 p.m.?”
Jayson responded."And Noah leaves, then about fifteen minutes later, it looks like Travis appears on the sidewalk and watches the shop."
Chapter24
The quiet of the condo felt heavier tonight.The faint hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of settling walls were the only sounds.Izzy curled up on the couch, a blanket pulled over her legs.Despite the oppressive heat outside, she felt chilled, and a cooling cup of chamomile tea rested on the side table.Her phone sat in her palm, thumb hovering over a name she hadn't called in days.
Their last conversation had ended with tension and an ache that hadn’t quite faded.But everything that had happened since the break-in, the missing shears, the surprise orchids, had frayed Izzy's nerves to the point where staying silent felt worse than the risk of reaching out.They usually talked every day, unless they were super busy, but never went more than a day in between at a minimum, chatting on the phone.
She tapped the call button.
Sadie picked up on the second ring."Hello?"
"Hey," Izzy said softly.
There was a beat of silence.Then, "Hey."
Izzy hesitated, her heartbeat sped up, then she pushed forward."I wasn’t sure if I should call."
"Me, either," Sadie admitted.Her voice sounded tired, guarded.
"How are you?"
