Page 51 of Bear Creek Valentine
“Sorry to interrupt y’all, but I got woke up last night by somebody driv’in through here with a loud muffler. I looked outthe back winda and noticed them new lights on, but couldn’t see much without mah glasses. Musta been whoever done that. Sorry I ain’t got more to tell ya.”
The Sheriff dutifully noted the information and then asked if Gordon knew what time he was awakened.
“Well now, musta been ‘bout half-past three, near as I kin tell.”
Though it wasn’t much to go on, Gordon’s information was all they had. The Sheriff encouraged him to keep his eyes open.
“If you hear or see anything strange, call it in and we’ll come out and look. Whoever this is will eventually make a mistake and we’ll catch them.”
Aiden thanked Gordon for his help and then waited with Dash while the lawman looked for other evidence. He took some photos, including some of the dusty footprints on the concrete pad along the back of the building. Next, Aiden unlocked the door and disabled the alarm so the Sheriff could check the interior of the shop. They found nothing wrong inside, though the front windows and glass door were all splashed with blood-red paint. It had run down the brick wall to puddle on the sidewalk, making a horrible mess.
After more photographs, Dash called Ryder, asking him to arrange the needed cleanup. Meanwhile, the Sheriff joined Aiden at the computer to see what the cameras may have picked up. Fortunately, Gordon’s guesstimate of the time was spot-on, and they finally got a look at the vandal in action. At three twenty-seven a.m., a shadowy figure could be seen approaching the shop from the west, carrying a paper bag.
Whoever it was took steps to avoid being identified, for they wore a nondescript hoodie and gloves—items not normally seen during a warm and muggy July evening. The person looked up and down the street, set the bag on the sidewalk, and reached inside. Instead of hauling cans of paint, the vandal threw paint-filled balloons in quick succession, grabbed the bag, and kept walking.
Aiden switched to the camera feeds for the back of the building. The time stamp read three thirty-one a.m. when the same figure appeared. The bright security lights snapped on but were ignored as they retrieved a can of spray paint from the sack. The defacing took less than two minutes, and the vandal took off down the alley, clutching the paper bag. Aiden was about to turn off the recording, but the Sheriff asked him to wait for a moment.
Sure enough, an older model sedan zoomed past the back of the shop while the security lights were still on. It was white, with extensive areas of rust, no hubcaps, and a Pennsylvania license plate. The image wasn’t clear enough to read the number, but thanks to Gordon, they now had a glimpse of the perpetrator. Aiden turned to the Sheriff.
“It didn’t look like an adult, so maybe it really is a teen with nothing better to do. I just can’t understand why they’re after me.”
The Sheriff glanced back at his notes and made a disturbing suggestion.
“Considering the words painted on the back of the building—liar, traitor, thief—I’d say this is someone with a bone to pick. Can you think of anyone who might be responsible?”
Aiden had already considered this possibility and came up with nothing.
“I can’t. I lived and worked in Scranton before moving to Bear Creek, and aside from coworkers, a few friends, and my family, there isn’t anyone.”
The Sheriff nodded, tucking his notebook into a shirt pocket.
“If you think of anything helpful, give my office a call. Word will get around town, and I’m sure people will be actively watching for suspicious activity. As I told your neighbor, allit takes is one serious mistake and we’ll have what we need to make an arrest. Meanwhile, I encourage you and your employees to take extra precautions near the building when it’s dark.”
The Sheriff left and Dash wrapped comforting arms around Aiden. He could smell his mate’s frustration, anger, and worry—not only for himself but for his employees. Aiden had enough on his mind without some nut-job attacking him and his business. Dash’s bear was prepared to permanently remove the aforesaid criminal in a grisly fashion, but he didn’t share those thoughts aloud. Instead, he pulled back and kissed Aiden’s furrowed brow.
“I got this, love. Ryder is arranging a sandblasting crew to remove the paint, though you should probably call your insurance company and see what they’ll cover. You concentrate on the shop and let me handle the cleanup, okay?”
Aiden kissed him. Just having his mate nearby meant more than he could say. Dealing with this shit drained the life right out of him, but he didn’t have to do it alone.
“I’m so glad you’re here. I was tempted to close today, but I refuse to let the bastard win. Give my thanks to Ryder for his help, too.”
Aiden called his local insurance agent, who came right over to document the damages. The cleanup would be expensive, but Dash told him not to worry about the cost. Next, he called Leo at D2 with the news, instructing him to keep a sharp eye out for anything unusual at his location.
“The building isn’t marked, so maybe they don’t know it belongs to me. Just be sure you and Skip are extra careful, keep the doors locked at all times, and call the Sheriff if something happens.”
Blanche and Serena arrived for their shift and were quickly brought up to speed. Like Leo, they were outraged by thevandalism. They took it as a personal affront to have their workplace attacked this way, and they were angry on Aiden’s behalf that he’d been targeted. Having their support gave him a needed morale boost as they stood together against the cruelty of an unknown enemy.
Keeping busy and productive was the key, and there was plenty to do—with or without customers. Blanche took care of online orders and answered the phone while Serena began a list of cleaning chores. Aiden was busy outside, scraping paint off the glass door and both large windows before the sand-blasting crew arrived. By ones and twos, his nearest neighbors came over to commiserate, offering to watch for the rusty white sedan in case it ever came back.
Inevitably, Loretta Goodwin, from Puzzles & Crafts next door, marched over wearing a daisy-covered hat and a horrified expression.
“Good heavens! I’m so sorry, Aiden. Why can’t they just leave you alone? Tell me everything; maybe I can help.”
Aiden continued scraping while he explained, also warning her that the blasting crew was on their way.
“I apologize for the noise and mess, Loretta, but they said it wouldn’t take too long. I’m afraid there was more damage in the back, as well. Say, I’ve been meaning to ask if your daughter enjoyed the care package you sent.”
Aiden’s attempt to redirect the conversation worked like a charm, as Loretta enjoyed chatting about her own news and problems more than listening to someone else’s.
