***
The pizza arrived at the same time the cops did. Harper took the food and sent the delivery guy back for four more pizzas to feed all the extra company.
Between the cops, the pizza, and the neighbors, Harper knew the news was all over town by now.
Glenn was once again cuffed and carted off to the hospital for what held the promise of a massive concussion.
No one wanted to leave Harper alone for the night so Aldo and Ty decided to join the sleepover, and an hour later, Hannah’s husband, Finn arrived with his sleeping bag and fishing gear.
“I can’t leave you girls alone for an hour without someone getting arrested,” he teased, wrapping them both in a bear hug.
Ty called an emergency vet from the next town over, and one of the veterinarians made a house call in her pajamas to check on Lola, who was deemed the hero of the night.
“She’s going to be sore for a couple of days, but there’s no breaks. She’s a tough little girl, aren’t you sweetie?”
Lola ate it up and rolled onto her back to bare her belly while Max danced in circles around them. The vet gave Harper a bottle of pain meds and told her to keep Lola away from any strenuous activity for a few days.
As the police were wrapping up their interviews, Frank and a full crew of Garrison guys showed up with plywood to cover the door and broken window.
“We’ll be back in the morning to get measurements and order new glass,” Frank said, wiping his hands on a napkin. “Thanks for the pizza. Try not to let any more maniacs in the house.”
Everyone made the necessary calls to the appropriate relatives letting them know they were all safe. Harper could imagine the story spreading like wildfire through Benevolence. Tomorrow there would probably be paparazzi from the high school paper on the lawn.
They traded versions of the break in.
When Harper had hung up with Ty, he had sped over to Gloria’s apartment. Finding nothing, he sent an officer to Gloria’s mother’s house and headed straight to Harper’s. He and Aldo had pulled in the driveway at the same time and bolted for the door when they heard the screams.
When Harper yelled for everyone to get out, Hannah had ushered little Max into the basement while Sophie and Gloria ran for weapons.
They converged in the hallway for the ultimate beat down. Gloria had hit Glenn once in the face, knocking him out instantaneously.
“It was so weird. It was like he didn’t even see me,” she said. “He was so intent on you and that knife, Harper.” She shivered and Aldo pulled her into his chest.
“I hate to say it, but Harper, you know what you have to do,” Ty said.
“I don’t want to,” she shook her head. “He’s going to think it’s my fault and be very upset.”
“I don’t want to hear it. Dial. Now.” Ty handed Harper her cellphone.
“It’s 2 a.m. here,” she tried again.
“Nice try. They’re eight hours ahead of us. Do it or I will, and you know that’ll piss him off even more.”
Grumbling, she took the phone and opened her video chat app. He’d want to see everything rather than just take her word for it. So she might as well get it over with.
Luke answered immediately.
“Baby, what’s wrong?”
“How do you know something’s wrong.”
“It’s 2 a.m.”
Ty crossed his arms and Harper frowned at him. She stalked out of the living room and into the dining room.
“Harper, why are there people in the house at 2 a.m. and what the hell happened to our window? Are you okay? Why do you have a bandage on your chin?”
Harper brought her fingers to her jaw. “Okay, so everyone is fine. No one got hurt. But there was a little incident here. Glenn got out of jail and broke in here tonight and smashed some stuff up until Lola bit him and then Gloria cold-cocked him with your cast iron pan.”
