“Weak ones,” I said. “Whoever this is already has my cat. I don’t know why they felt the need to go all Zodiac-killer on me.”
He looked at me with clear exasperation. “This is serious.”
I shrugged, completely detached from it all.
“If they wanted to hurt me, they would have. This is about one thing. Money. Money that won’t even be deposited into my account for a couple more weeks. There’s no way whoever did all this is planning to, like, stalk and kill me or something. They probably just watched one to many cheesy thriller movies.”
Reid shook his head frantically. “You can’t predict what someone like this would do. Clearly they’re desperate.”
I waved off Reid’s concern. I had two clients later today, and if I crawled underneath my covers now, I could squeeze in a good sulk and maybe half a movie before I had to drag myself to the salon.
“It’s fine,” I said. “So what’s next? I’ve been working on the suspect list like you told me to.”
“I really don’t like how casual you’re being about this,” Reid continued, ignoring my question and following me. “This person is lurking around, watching you, threatening you. I don’t like it.”
Two lines formed between his brows. I had to admit, his distress was sweet.
“I mean, I’m not a fan of it either, but it is what it is. Too bad the note is typed, or maybe we could have gotten a handwriting expert on the case.”
“I don’t exactly have one of those on retainer,” he said dryly, dragging a hand along his face and looking up. “You shouldn’t stay here.”
I shrugged. “Well, this is where I live, and I can’t exactly afford a hotel room if I have to hand over all of my winnings at the end of this, so…”
“You could stay with me,” he offered. “I have an extra bedroom?—”
Aa snort escaped me before he could even finish the proposal.
“I’m good, Reid. I appreciate your concern, but no.”
He still followed me up the steps instead of making the turn toward the gate that would have led him to his parked car.
“What about another friend you could stay with?” he asked.
“Not really on that level with anyone out here,” I said, which was the sad truth. My closest friend was still Zoe, from back where I grew up, and I’d hardly spoken to her in weeks. She didn’t even know what was going on with Vermont. I should probably text her.
“I’m being serious. You shouldn’t be here alone. Do you know how many cold cases I’ve looked into where a woman was abducted right from her home, or worse?”
He paused, licking his lips and shaking his head.
Maybe I was being naïve, but the threats truly felt baseless. If this person wanted my money—which I didn’t even have yet—why would they come after me now?
“I really think this is just a scare tactic. Don’t let it get to you.”
He crossed his arms and tilted his head. “I’m not comfortable with you staying here alone.”
“Sorry, but I don’t have another option.” He opened his mouth to protest, but I interrupted. “I’m not going to your house. That would be weird.” My stomach flipped just thinking about it. Maybe weird was the wrong word.
“Please, consider it.”
“I’m good.” Truthfully, I found his offer quite sweet, but I was a creature of comfort. The last thing I wanted to do was pack up my stuff and go to this virtual stranger’s house. No matter how cute he looked in his black beanie.
“Hazel.” His arms flung up in the air. “I can’t in good conscience let you stay here by yourself.”
His protective insistence melted my heart a little, but I stayed strong.
“And I’m not going anywhere, so where does that leave us?” I asked.
A single snowflake settled on the frame of his glasses as he closed his eyes in defeat.
