This was her dream job to have over the summer, and she couldn’t jeopardize it.
She got out of her car, grabbed her purse, and walked to the mailboxes at the end of the shared driveway. There were three townhouses grouped together, four buildings. She was on the end, Karl next to her in the middle. The person next to Karl hadn’t been there that long. She’d only seen her coming and going a few times.
Normally she’d introduce herself, but the embarrassment over her situation with Fredrick kept her holding back.
Her heels were clicking on the asphalt as she made her way to her front door.
“Hi, Meredith.”
“Hi, Karl. How are you doing today?”
He was coming out of his front door and down the stairs.
“Good,” Karl said. “I’ve been watching for you.”
“You have?” she asked. It always made her shiver when he said those things and she didn’t understand why he waswatching out for her. Maybe he just needed to find a hobby or something. “How come?”
“I heard you were inquiring about any cars that had been broken into or damaged here.”
She’d done that after she’d talked to Cassidy about it. Guess he had a reason to seek her out. Thinking back, he always did.
“I did. Did you hear anything? I haven’t seen you to ask.”
“You could have texted me,” Karl said, frowning. “I’m here all the time.”
She knew he had some hybrid remote job. He came and went some days, but not enough for her to pay attention to other than he could be more dressed up than jeans.
“Sorry,” she said. “I wasn’t thinking. Did you hear anything? Or do you know if anyone else had something happen to them?”
“I had heard several weeks ago someone said kids were in the area going through cars that were unlocked and looking for loose change or anything they could steal. Did you get something stolen?”
“Not that I know of,” she said. “But I don’t keep anything in my vehicle. I’ve got some damage. A long scratch and a dent.”
No reason to add that Clay thought it was from a knife. That was too much in her mind.
Karl moved toward her car and looked. “Are you sure it didn’t happen in a parking lot?”
“It probably did,” she said.
“Or maybe Fredrick did it. I wouldn’t put anything past him. I never did like him.”
She smiled and patted Karl’s arm. His face softened and his crooked grin almost lit up the area. “I know you didn’t. I appreciate everything you did or have helped me with.”
Karl’s smile grew with the praise, his eyes almost misting. Poor guy probably had no interaction with anyone.
“He should have done more for you rather than take advantage of your kindness.”
“Well, he’s a thing of the past. And this wasn’t him. I called and asked and he insisted it wasn’t. I believe it.”
“I wouldn’t believe anything he said.” Karl was nodding his head and crossed his arms. “He couldn’t even pull in a trash can but always told you he did.”
“What?”
Karl hesitated. “I’ve heard you talking about it before. He’d say he did it, but it was me who did it before you got home.”
“You shouldn’t have covered for him,” she said. “And I’m sorry that he lied. But again, he’s gone out of my life.”
She walked toward her door, Karl following next to her. She hoped he didn’t want to come in and visit. “You look pretty. Did you have a date tonight?”
