Page 130 of The Man Next Door
She forgot all about that plan when they got home. Louise was concentrating on swinging herself up the front walk and Martin was next to her. Neither was paying attention to what sat in the driveway, but Zona saw it as she walked past. An ugly slash ran all along the driver side of her car.
She hurried inside the house, set down her purchases, and then went back out. Walking around the car she saw the passenger side had been vandalized as well. It had clearly been keyed.
Something cold stole over Zona and grabbed her heart. There was only one logical suspect.
When had she done this? It had to have been a quick job, done while they were out hitting garage sales.
This woman didn’t hesitate to destroy property. What else wouldn’t she hesitate to do? A fresh chill stole over Zona. What would follow this malicious act if Zona continued to see Alec? What or who would be the next target? Maybe Darling. Maybe Mom. For sure, Zona.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Martin said to Louise and started down the front walk. Then he stopped and stared at Zona’s car. “When did this happen?”
“Probably when we were out. Don’t tell Mom. She’ll just worry.”
“You need to report that,” he said.
“I’m going to, right now,” she assured him.
So much for being rid of Alec’s stepsister. So much for the happy interlude they’d been enjoying.
Underneath that calm, the Loch Ness Monster was thrashing around, ready to surface and devour her.
What turned people so toxic, and was there ever a way you could pull the toxin out? In the case of this woman, that would be impossible.
She pulled her phone from her jeans pocket, took pictures, then went online and filed a police report. Even though she couldn’t prove who the vandal was, the crime still needed to be reported. And she’d need the report for her insurance company.
Back in the house, she casually asked Louise if she could borrow her car for the evening. “Mine’s low on gas.”
A flimsy excuse, but Louise didn’t hesitate to say yes. “I’m not going anywhere,” she said.
It was hard to concentrate on cleaning and putting her latest finds up on eBay. She’d look at her computer screen and see her damaged car. Then she’d see red. Angela had better stay hidden, because if she didn’t, Zona was going to take her down.
ZONA WAS INthe kitchen, working on a chicken stir-fry when Gilda arrived for Louise patrol. Zona could hear her in the living room, talking to her mother. A moment later she heard the clomp clomp of Louise’s crutches.
“Why didn’t you tell me your car had been keyed?” Louise demanded.
So, Gilda had seen. Thank you, Gilda.
“Not much you could do about it. Not much I can do right now, either,” said Zona.
“So, you’re not out of gas,” Louise accused.
“That, too,” Zona lied.
“People who destroy property ought to have it done to theirs as punishment,” said loose lips Gilda, who’d followed Louise into the kitchen.
“You know who it is, don’t you?” Louise said to Zona.
“I’m pretty sure it’s Alec’s stepsister,” Zona said. “But I can’t prove anything.”
“You should report it to the police,” said Gilda.
“I’ve filed a report.”
Louise’s eyes narrowed. “That woman is dangerous! You need to quit hanging out with Alec James.”
Gilda was all ears. “The neighbor? We knew he was trouble all along, didn’t we?”
“Look, you two. I can handle this,” Zona said, and gave the sliced bell peppers, carrots, and onions in her mother’s electric wok an angry shove.
