Page 47 of Deep Waters
“That’s not what I heard…” She grinned mischievously, shifting her eyes toward Gran and back.
“Becauseshe’sa reliable source.”
Vi shrugged. “It would be cool though.” She bumped my shoulder with hers. “Having you as my sister.”
A whole flock of moths took flight in my stomach at her words. Zach and I had been navigating the start of a relationship with two kids, full-time jobs, SAR calls, and his family interfering. I had the threat of the San Juan Marine Repair land sale still hanging over my head. Simon had sent me a brief but reassuring text, but there was a world of difference between a verbal agreement with his dad and signed paperwork.
Zach and I hadn’t even managed to get beyond messing around with two young kids in the house. At this rate, I’d be fifty-five before we managed home base, let alone marriage.
But Vi meant well. And she was the closest thing I had to a sister, Zach or no Zach. I nudged her shoulder. “You never know. Maybe someday.”
After the stream of runners became a trickle, we packed up, and I drove the kids home to find a frowning Zach waiting for me on the front porch. He looked exhausted, his shoulders slumped.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Someone disabled the cameras while we were gone.”
“In full daylight?”
“Whoever it was may have assumed we’d be busy with the half-marathon. A large chunk of the island volunteers or watches, even if they don’t run. Most of our first responders are there in some form or fashion too.”
Unease became fear for the first time. Once was annoying. But two break-ins? Someone wanted something specific. So far, they’d been wily enough not to get caught. But what if their next attempt happened while I was home alone with the kids?
“Do you think they got whatthey wanted?”
“This time they forced open the desk drawer, but judging from the temper tantrum of a disaster they left behind, I’m going to assume they came up empty.”
“How bad is it? Do I need to call Jia? Figure out who their homeowner’s insurance policy is with?”
“No. They didn’t do anything truly malicious. Mostly just shredded paper. They also left crap from the desk all over the floor in Jordan’s office.”
“Did you call 911?”
He nodded. “I spoke with dispatch. They’re sending a deputy by as soon as they can free someone up from traffic duty for the run. Should be any time now.”
I glanced from him to the kids, still buckled in the car. “I need to get them out of here. They don’t need to see the mess.”
Zach nodded. “Agreed. I already called Gran. She’s expecting you at the farm.”
I grimaced, but it was our best option. “I’ll drop them off and come back to help clean up.”
It took the better part of two hours to finish setting Jordan’s office back to rights. And that was after the deputy had been through, dusting for fingerprints. My movements were heavy with fatigue by the time we finished. I couldn’t imagine how Zach felt. He’d run thirteen miles and then come home to help me. We said goodbye to the deputy at the door, Zach wrapping one big arm around my shoulders. He nuzzled the wisps of hair at my temple.
“I’ll call Drew. We can make a run to the hardware store tomorrow. Put up a couple more cameras. But I think it’s time to upgrade to a real security system.”
“I’ll call Jia. She deserves a say, but I agree.” She cared too much about her kids to fight me. One break-in could be brushed off. But two?
“I don’t want you home alone with the kids until this guy is caught.” Zach’s gruff tone made me examine him more carefully. Exhaustion lined his features. “I can’t be here all the time. I think it’s time to call in reinforcements.”
“What makes you think it was a man?” I asked. “Women can be burglars too.”
Zach’s mouth twitched. “Well, Gran has an alibi. She was with you.”
“Very funny.”
“Speaking of Gran, she’s the best person we can ask.”
I groaned. “I love your grandmother, but I don’t know that I’d lovelivingwith your grandmother.”
