by Molly Dox
“Do you think you’ll solve it?” She hung on his every word. He was so handsome, and looking into his eyes, she could get lost for days.
“I sure hope so; I’d hate to see anybody else lose their home.” Nick changed the topic. “So tell me more about you.”
Annie felt awkward with the attention back on herself. She fumbled with a few details, and then started talking about Pip. Pip was an easy topic.
Lunch was delivered, and as they dined on their shrimp salad and She-Crab soup, the conversation seemed to find a comfortable pace. Soon he was telling her about his overprotective mother, when he told her he was looking to become a police officer, and Annie shared a silly story about when she first opened her shop. Before they knew it their plates were empty and neither wanted to leave.
“Do you think we could do this again?” Nick asked.
“I’d like that,” she said quietly.
Nick suggested dinner. “Maybe we could get together for dinner later in the week?”
“Sure, it sounds great.” She would have sighed right there, but felt silly. Oh, how she hoped he kissed her. Funny how she was afraid of it before and what it would mean, but after sitting across from him, she wanted nothing more.
Nick paid the bill and then led Annie out of the restaurant, his hand on her shoulder. Annie smiled. She liked it more than she thought she would.
Leaning in, he gave her a soft peck on her cheek and then walked her to her car. She was almost disappointed, but it was the right move. Going slowly was important. It was crazy how she was nervous about it, then she wanted it, then she was relieved. Her mind was all over the place.
Getting home, she let the dog out. The cat was in the yard again. Pip ran for the cat. The cat sprang to the top of the fence. Annie shook her head. The cat was at her house more than its owners. It had owners, right? It was looking a little thinner the last few weeks. Maybe she should put out some food, just in case the kitty was hungry. Though would that just encourage it to return? If she was going to feed the cat, she was going to name the cat. “We’ll call you Squeak,” she said to nobody in particular, amused with the way she played off Pip’s name.
Pip grew bored as the cat walked back and forth, taunting the dog, now on the other side of the fence. Doing her business, she turned around to head back inside.
“Do you think you could be friends with Squeak?” Annie sighed. “Yeah, it’s probably too early to ask.”
Chapter 8
The morning sun came early, and once again another homeowner had been victimized. The fire sparked late in the night, only this time it didn’t burn completely to the ground. Someone had gotten lazy and not covered all their bases. Evidence was a cruel mistress.
On hearing the news of another home going up in flames, Annie couldn’t resist stopping by to poke around. Charlotte agreed to meet at the house after Annie took a walk on the beach with her dog. Their curiosity had them desperate for clues. They’d stop by the home, recheck the other homes again, and then grab a bite to eat and do a little shopping on the mainland.
By the time they’d made their rounds and went to leave the island, they found a checkpoint at the causeway. Police were stopping people on their way out of the island to ask if they knew any details or if anything looked suspicious to them lately. If witnesses wouldn’t come to them, they’d call people out, one by one. They were at a loss and the news wasn’t looking good for them or the island.
Annie pulled a cart out of the rack and headed into the box store with Charlotte. “Did you notice what was missing?” The home looked like a shell, with the front walls burned out. Some of the items in the home were visible.
“No television, and tangled wires, like they were frustrated and yanked at them.” Charlotte said, lost in thought.
“Right, you could see where it used to be. The hanger was still there. I’m starting to think between the white vans, the missing televisions and other stuff that maybe they’re burglarizing the homes and then setting them on fire. It’s just that I don’t know what sense it would make to set a home on fire if you got the stuff out without people noticing. Wouldn’t that shine a big spotlight on you?” The women strolled down the container aisle.
“Something more is going on. It’s not just arson. I think you’re right, that they’re stealing stuff, but like you said, why would you burn the house down? You already got the goods you wanted?”
“Could it be a two man team? But who is doing it and why?” Annie shook her head, frustrated that she only got tiny pieces of the puzzle.
“I’m guessing to sell stuff, because electronics probably bring the most cash. Why the fires? I don’t get that part.” Charlotte was stumped. “Anyway, tell me about your date. How did it go?”
“It went well enough for him to ask me out again. I was really nervous about dating again, but it was kind of nice. He’s kind of…” she smiled and blushed. “Cute. He’s cute.”
“Cute? He’s sexy if you ask me. Of course, I’m old enough to be his mother, but that one’s a hottie. Invite me to the wedding.”
“Whoa, slow down!” Annie laughed. “It was one date.”
“You’re a good catch. He’ll realize that.”
She tilted her head, “Aww, that was so sweet of you.”
“It’s the truth. Anyway, I wonder if they’re any closer to more detailed information. You know, you could use your new connection to see if they know what kind of accelerant was used to take the houses down.”
“Look at you, Mrs. Big Words.”
“What? I’ve been doing a little research,” Charlotte said. “I was online, and the next thing you know I was buried in fire investigation research. Not that any of it helps me when I don’t have access to the clues they may have scavenged from the scenes.”
“I don’t want to pry too much. I don’t want to get him in trouble. Though, I could probably ask, just bring it up in conversation, right? Or is that wrong?” Annie scrunched up her nose. “I don’t know. It feels awkward.”
“Maybe it will come up naturally.” They could hope.
Annie’s eyes went wide. “I just thought of something.”
“What is it?”
“There’s a white van parked in the driveway of a house I pass on the way into work, so it would have to be the main boulevard. I mean, I’m sure the police have looked at all the local white vans, but what if it’s somehow related?”
“That would be awfully brazen to leave it parked out if it was the van they were using, don’t you think?”
“I’m going to jot down the license plate number just in case.”
***
Four days later. “Charlotte! The van, the white van, it changed.” Annie was floored.
“The van changed?”
“The number.” She shook her head. She could barely get the words out. “The plates. I need to call Nick. It’s the same van, but they switched out the license plates. I know, because I’ve been checking as I pass by. Today, it was the same van, but the plates were different.”
“So if the cops ran plates, the numbers would run clean if they are swapping out tags every so often. Whoever this is knows what they’re doing. Keep me updated. I’m going to snoop a little bit.” Charlotte had a plan.
“Be careful.” Annie cautioned her friend and then called Nick. Filling him in on what she noticed, he said he’d take a look at it, and was she absolutely certain it was the same vehicle? She let him know she was sure, there was a gray scuff mark about four inches long above the wheel well that she noticed every time she drove by. Hanging up, her heart raced. She liked clues way too much.
Annie got out of her car and went into her shop. It didn’t take long for Mrs. Bushmiller to show up.
“Morning, Annie. Who was that gentleman that was here last week? The handsome one,” she inquired.
“Morning, Mrs. Bushmiller,” Annie said with a lack of enthusiasm. “Why do you ask? And do you sit at your window all day just to see who is coming and going?”
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“If you must know, I just like to look outside.” She had a chip on her shoulder. She didn’t like the implication that she was snooping, even if she was. “Anyway, I saw him the other night. I was just curious what you knew about him. He was poking around here awfully late. I had to take my dog out for a walk, and he looked familiar. At first I couldn’t place it, but then I realized I’d seen him leaving here. Do you know who he is?”
“Wait a minute,” Annie said. “He was here? Late at night?”
“Well, not here in the shop, but at Starfish Square. It’s not like anything was open. I seemed to have startled him when I came around the corner. I’m not usually out that late.”
“He’s a fireman, one of the new guys.”
“Well, I asked him what he was doing here, and he said he was scouting for a new business location. Now, I don’t know anything about that, but wouldn’t you do that during daylight hours? Or maybe talk to a realtor? It seemed kind of fishy if you ask me.” She shrugged her shoulders, but was desperate to gossip about the situation. She was lonely, so any company was good company sometimes.
“Yeah, that’s odd. He didn’t mention looking to get into a business. Anyway, I have a client coming in shortly and I need to get ready.”
“I get the hint,” she said, feeling snubbed. “I’ve got to run some errands anyway.” And just like that she was out the door.
Why would Mr. South Carolina be here of all places, and why so late? Was he casing the place? She knew an attractive and nice officer who might be interested in that information. On calling, she glanced over her shoulder and noticed her client walking in early. Hanging up the phone, she made a mental note to call him later.
“Hi, sorry I’m a little early,” the woman said.
“That’s fine. I’ll be ready for you in just a moment. Please have a seat,” Annie said with a smile.
The few appointments wrapped up early as well, as the final client of her schedule canceled with an apology. Annie locked up her shop and headed out to her car. She’d forgotten to call Nick. She figured it could wait until she got home. Sitting in her car, she remembered she’d put her phone down, but forgot to pick it back up. It was inside, on the counter. Annie turned to walk back to her shop. Only when she got there, something felt weird. It was almost as if somebody was watching her. She spun around to look behind her, but nobody was there. Maybe all this crime and mystery talk, suspects and clues, maybe it was getting to her. It was intoxicating to learn something new, but it gave her a sense of uncertainty. Anybody’s house could be next, or even a business. Grabbing her phone off the counter, she relocked her shop and headed to her car.
Getting inside, she decided to call Nick from the parking lot. Movement in her rearview mirror caught Annie’s attention. Curiosity got the better of her. It almost looked like a white van.
Chapter 9
Annie got out of her car. Her heart raced and then lodged in her throat. Nervous, her senses were on edge. She’d never noticed the scent of the salty sea air as much as she did in that moment. Snooping was probably a bad idea, but what if the van had the same license plates she saw earlier. And what was it doing here? Deliveries were a rare even off-season. Most of the shops were closed. She’d feel safer in her car, but be more noticeable. She scampered by the side of the building and followed it closely, heading toward the back alleyways that opened to the back doors of the shops.
Coming to the corner, she slowly edged her head around for minimal exposure, keeping her body tucked out of site. A quick glance and her heart stopped. A familiar figure got out of the van. Her heart thumped loudly. She willed it to quiet down so others wouldn’t hear it, even though nobody would have. It only beat like a drum in her ears.
Goose bumps ran up her arms. Shivering, she wrapped her arms tight around her body. Daring a glance, she looked again. He saw her! Annie ran as fast as she could, trying to make it to her car. The man was coming after her; she could hear his shoes clomping on the pavement. They knew one another. This wasn’t going to be pretty. She knew he was up to no good, he knew she could tell. Annie ran to her car and locked the door, the man just about got to her.
Banging on the glass, he screamed at her. “It’s not what it looks like.”
She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t swallow. Officer Nick Rossi was out of uniform and had climbed out of the white van. Her heart was breaking as she turned the key in her ignition and gunned her engine.
Annie drove as fast as she could. Getting to her house, she locked the door and double checked that all her windows were locked. His van wasn’t far behind. He pulled into her driveway within five minutes. She heard his tires crunching on the pebbled driveway. She knew who it was. She didn’t have to guess. Annie picked up her phone…and realized she left it in her car from earlier when she was about to call Nick in the parking lot.
She’d turned off her landline recently, realizing it was redundant. She used her cell as her main number now, only she didn’t have it. Locked in her home, no phone to call for help, Annie’s nerves seized up.
“Annie, let me in,” he called out.
She didn’t say anything.
“Annie, it’s not what you’re thinking. I’m doing undercover surveillance. We’re setting up cameras.” Nick leaned against the door after banging it. “Come see for yourself. I have all the equipment in the truck.”
Annie heard him, but her gut told her something different. Why did he chase her? Why not just tell her later? And why is he so desperate for her to believe him. Go out to his truck? For what, to be kidnapped? She realized at that point, her mind was getting the best of her. He was a police officer. And it was broad daylight. But why now? And right after Mrs. Bushmiller saw the fireman guy the night before. Are they casing the place? Does he know? Are they setting him up to capture the evidence? Mrs. Bushmiller had to have called the police. She does for every other thing. Annie didn’t know what to do.
“Annie, I have to go back to work. We need to get these installed. We got a tip….” He trailed off. It didn’t matter. She wasn’t going to open the door.
Everything in her body was rigid as she pried open the door a sliver. She was terrified it was a mistake, and yet she had to know if she could trust him.
“Annie,” his voice dropped quieter. He sighed. “It’s okay. Come look. I have equipment. I’m installing some stuff. They’re battery operated, motion-detecting.”
“You’re not…” she couldn’t say it.
“I’m not the bad guy. Annie, I’m a cop. I told you that story about my mom when I was younger and me wanting to be a cop. I know how it looks, but you have to believe me.”
“Why is it so important that I trust you?” She was suspicious still.
“I really like you. I wouldn’t have made the effort to follow you all this way if you didn’t matter to me.” His voice was gentle, soothing, lulling her out of her house.
“You’re not going to kidnap me?” She felt silly once the words came out.
He looked at her like she had two heads. “Kidnap? Maybe for a night away at a bed and breakfast when we’ve been dating longer, but otherwise, no kidnapping plans in my future. It might interfere with my job.”
Annie dropped her head. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately.”
“You’ve been wrapped up in these arson house details. Maybe it’s time to let the professionals handle it. I know you’re interested, but if it’s keeping you up at night, or making you question people you know and trust, maybe it’s time to stop obsessing over it.”
She nodded. He was right. It was easier said than done, but she was too involved. It was a tangled mess taking over her thoughts. “I’m sorry.” She didn’t know what else to say.
“Here, come see.” He led her to the truck and slid open the door. There on the floor of the van were boxes of security cameras. “We’re installing them in a couple of places. We’re desperate for another lead, and when the tip came in last night that someone was
poking around late at night over at the shops, we figured they might be casing it for another hit or burn.”
Annie sighed; relieved Nick wasn’t a bad guy. She desperately wanted him to be a good guy – her good guy.
Chapter 10
Before she could turn away, he grabbed her. The cameras were to keep an eye on the place, so that he and his partners could pilfer the shops. He didn’t expect to be noticed, and covered the best he could, but Annie caught him off guard. The lure of extra money was too much to resist. His salary was nothing to write home about and when the offer came through, he did something he had never done before. He looked the other way, and then broke the law. At first, he found it brazen to be approached. Then he realized the genius. Having somebody on the inside would allow them to strategically plan when and where to hit the homes. The deal was that they’d rob the empty homes; clean them out, and then burn them down. Greed got the best of him. The more he got paid, the more he wanted.
He hated the arson part of it, but knew that was what the lead guy needed for his juice. He’d come up from South Carolina. After a deal with an insider in South Carolina, he was close to being caught. He took a plea deal and ran. They scrubbed his file to make it look like sexual harassment. They couldn’t delete the complete file, since he was in the system, but they made the details change.
Coming to New Jersey, a sleepy beach town, he saw prime pickings. It was wealthy clientele, with high profile entertainment systems. If he could put a team together, get somebody to look the other way, an insider with access…it was risky, but it was either there or a gulf coast town in Florida for his next hit, and there were still warrants out for his arrest there, along with three other states.
