Valerie Hansen - Threat Of Darkness

“I wasn’t, either.” The unshed tears that misted her vision were unacceptable. She blinked them away. “I’m sorry to cause all these problems.”

“It’s not like you went looking for trouble. At least not this time.”

Samantha was relieved to see a smile start to tease one side of his mouth when she said, “Thanks, I think.”

The more John’s expression softened, the easier it was for her to begin to smile at him—and at the other officers. “So, gentlemen, what do I do next?” She checked her watch. “I see we’re already too late for church.”

“Maybe we’ll take in the evening service,” John said. “Do you still hide a spare house key in the old barn?”

“Yes! I’d forgotten all about that. I’ll go get it.”

“No. I’ll go. You stay out here with Walt.”

“It’s on a nail, just inside the door to the left.” Samantha wasn’t about to argue with John this time. The notion of having her private space invaded so easily gave her the creeps. In mild weather she liked to throw open all the windows to let in fresh air. That practice was probably going to have to stop, at least temporarily. Moreover, she’d need new locks on her doors, not to mention doing something about changing the ignition, door and trunk locks in her car. This was getting complicated. And worse by the minute.

Returning with the single key, John unlocked the door and controlled Brutus’s exit so the other officers could enter the kitchen.

The mostly black dog bounded off the back porch and gamboled up to greet her. Just as delighted to see him, she bent to stroke his broad head and rusty-colored eyebrows, then ruffled his darker ears, speaking soft encouragements and enjoying the uncomplicated companionship while she bided her time.

“I am glad about one thing,” Samantha told John when he finally rejoined her. “They didn’t hurt Brutus. They could have. I let him out the front door this morning and if he’d realized someone strange was in the backyard he might have gone after them. No telling what they’d have done to him then.”

“Really? He was outside earlier?”

“Of course. No way was I going to leave for the morning without giving him a chance to go out first.”

“Just making sure.”

Judging by the way her old friend was scowling at her he had come to some conclusion. Since he didn’t seem inclined to share his thoughts she decided to probe for answers.

“Okay. I can see the wheels turning in your brain, Waltham. So, give. What are you thinking?”

“A couple of things. First, if Brutus was outside and the perp was still hanging around, why didn’t the dog alert?”

“Good question. Are you saying you think he recognized somebody?”

“It’s certainly possible. Have you had any work done around this place recently? For instance, did you hire any handymen, any strangers?”

“No. None.” She sighed thoughtfully. “Brutus may be an old dog but you saw how well he remembered you. If he did notice someone messing with my car it didn’t have to be anybody he’d recently met. He’s with me whenever I run errands and he always attracts plenty of attention. He probably knows at least half the people in town.”

“True.”

“You said you’d thought of a couple of things. What else?” When John stepped closer and leaned in to speak more quietly she immediately sensed the gravity of what he was about to say.

“Okay. Since your car had already been thoroughly ransacked, why did the man or men stick around? Why didn’t they make their getaway long before you came out of the house?”

“How should I know?”

“Think carefully, Sam. Whoever vandalized your car was waiting.”

He paused and lightly touched her shoulder before he added, “Waiting for you.”

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