Paul grumbled something I didn’t understand, but Marlene seemed to. She smiled at him. He kissed her on the cheek again, then went to stand in line to sign up for the squirrel protection squad.
“Audrey!”
I turned to see Marigold approaching. She looked stunning in a sleeveless high-necked blouse and floral skirt. She clasped my hands, pulling me into a tight hug.
“I’m so glad you’re okay.” She let go and stepped back. “I heard what happened. It’s horrifying. Do they have any idea who’s behind it?”
“Not yet.”
“That must have been so scary. If you’re not comfortable staying at home, you’re more than welcome to stay at my place. I have a guest room that’s all ready if you need it.”
Josiah slipped an arm around me. “Thanks, Mari, but I’ve got her covered.”
She gave me a sly smile. “I see. That’s very gentlemanly of you, Josiah.”
He grunted in reply.
“That’s so nice of you to offer,” I said. “I’ll let you know if anything changes, but I’ll be fine.”
“Just be careful. We’re all so worried about you.”
We hugged again and said goodbye. Josiah put his hand on the small of my back and led me outside.
He stopped next to his truck and lifted my chin so I was looking up at him. “Are we sleeping at my place or yours?”
A thrill ran through me. I loved that he didn’t consider it an option; he was staying with me and that was that.
“Either way is fine with me.”
“Yours, then.”
“Sounds good.”
He opened the passenger door for me and I got in. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so giddy, considering everything that had happened. But I was. None of it was quite so scary when I had Josiah to protect me.
CHAPTER 24
Josiah
At nine in the morning, it was already hot. Summer had officially arrived in the mountains and it felt like it would be a scorcher. Fortunately, the air conditioning in the remodel was working. Once I got the camera installed at Audrey’s, I’d be out of the weather for most of the day.
Max sat near her front door, watching me while his tail wagged. I’d offered to keep him with me today. Figured I might as well. I kind of liked having a work buddy and it would save her money on doggie daycare.
“I hope the asshole is stupid enough to show up here again. Hell, he doesn’t even have to be stupid, just arrogant.”
Max kept wagging his tail.
I put in the final screw and checked my handiwork. Looked straight. The doorbell camera was one of three I’d decided to install on her house. The other two were covering areas this one wouldn’t see, including out the back door. There were blind spots, and I wasn’t ruling out putting up another camera or two. But realistically, these covered the driveway and entrances to the house.
Still, going overboard was tempting.
“I’ll help her set up the app on her phone when she gets home.”
I had no idea why I was explaining everything I did to Max. It wasn’t like he could understand me.
My phone rang, so I pulled it out of my pocket to answer. It was Garrett.
“Yeah.”
“Just checking in, although there’s not much of an update. We didn’t pick up any prints or fibers, so that’s a dead end.”
“What about neighbors? Anyone see something?”
“Not a thing. It doesn’t help that there aren’t any houses directly across the street. The Campbells up the road have a doorbell cam, but it doesn’t show anything useful. Too far away. And Mrs. Cutter next door wasn’t home that day. She was visiting her daughter.”
“Damn.”
“I know. We contacted the ex-boyfriend but he has an alibi.”
“What if he hired someone?”
“Yeah, he could have. I’m not ruling him out, especially because Audrey doesn’t seem to have any enemies. I hate to admit it, but this one has me stumped. Writing on her door in animal blood is pretty extreme.”
“No shit.”
“Did you get cameras installed?”
“Yeah, just finished with the last one.”
“Good. That will be a deterrent if nothing else.”
“I don’t really expect the guy to walk up to the door again now that there are cameras. But you never know. If he’s arrogant enough, he might.”
“Let’s hope if he does, she’s not home. Is she staying at your place?”
“She did the first night. I’m staying at her place now.”