“Who would do such a thing? Did you call the police? Have they found them yet?”
“I don’t know, and yes, and no.”
“They must have done it to the wrong house. Someone wouldn’t target you like that.”
“That’s one of my theories, too, but I just don’t know. There was another dead squirrel outside the house not long ago, but I didn’t think much of it. There’s a lot of wildlife around here, I thought it had just died there. But now I’m not so sure.”
“You need to move home. Immediately.”
I rolled my eyes. “While I appreciate the offer, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Audrey, you can’t stay in that house.”
“The police came and they’re doing everything they can.”
“You still can’t stay in that house.”
“Mom, I have a lease. And one act of vandalism that could have been random or a mistake isn’t going to get me to move.”
“It might not have been random or a mistake.”
I followed Max toward the driveway. “I know.”
She took a deep breath, like she was about to tell me something important or possibly difficult to hear. “You know your father was loved and respected in Pinecrest, but anyone who enters politics makes enemies.”
I paused to consider what she was really saying. “So you think someone from Pinecrest found out where I live and wrote 'bitch' on my door in animal blood to get back at my dad who passed away two years ago?”
“Stranger things have happened.”
“Mom, has someone been targeting you? Has your house been vandalized and you didn’t tell me?”
“Oh no, certainly not.”
“Well, it seems like if Dad had enemies who would do this kind of thing, they’d go after you first.”
“Perhaps. Although my security system could be enough of a deterrent. They could have tried to get to me and settled for you instead.”
Was my mother really suggesting I was a second-choice vandalism victim? I couldn’t help but sigh. “I’ll mention Dad to the police in case they want to follow up on that lead.”
“Be sure you do.”
Although there was no way I was going to suggest to my mother that Colin might be the perpetrator, I did wonder if she’d seen him lately and if he’d been acting any different.
“Speaking of people from Pinecrest, you haven’t seen Colin lately, have you?”
“I see him now and again. Why?”
“I was just wondering. I ran into him not that long ago and something seemed off.”
“We both know what’s wrong with Colin.”
I rolled my eyes again. “I know you think he married the wrong woman but they’ve been together for a long time. I’m sure they’re fine.”
“They’re hardly fine. Everyone knows she’s having an affair with her boss.”
If Pinecrest and Tilikum went head-to-head over which town had the biggest gossips, it would be anyone’s game. Something “everyone knew” in Pinecrest could be true or a total fabrication. It was impossible to tell.
“That might just be a rumor.”
“Rumors are usually rooted in truth. I feel terrible for the poor man.”
I wanted to tell her what had happened when I’d seen Colin at the Timberbeast. He had not been acting appropriately for a man who was married to someone else, regardless of whether or not his wife was being unfaithful. But she’d just make excuses for him like she always did.
“Look, I can’t really worry about Colin’s marriage right now. I have bigger problems.”
“Indeed you do. Audrey. I mean it, tell the police this was probably aimed at you because of your family.”
“Okay, Mom, I will.”
“Good. Are you sure you’re safe there?”
There was also no way I was telling her that I’d stayed with Josiah last night. At some point, I’d tell her we were dating, but she didn’t need to know I’d slept in his bed. She’d just find a way to lecture me about it.
“Yes, Mom. I’m safe. And I have friends in town where I can go if I need to.”
“You can always come here. I mean it. Even with the dog.”
I smiled, my expression softening. I knew she actually meant that. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Okay. Keep me posted on what the police find.”
“I will. Talk to you later.”
I ended the call. Mother-daughter relationships were so complicated sometimes. Her insistence that this might have had something to do with my father was so frustrating. Of course she’d make it about them, rather than me. But I could hear the concern in her voice, especially when she offered to let me come stay again. She wasn’t perfect and things between us weren’t always the best, but she was still my mom, and she cared.