“You’re welcome. I hope they’ll catch him soon!” Patty huffed.
My body shook with fear and anger. I glanced around, but the thief could have been anywhere by now. He probably snatched the jewelry during the scuffle. I should have been more careful.
Minutes later, the police arrived and took my statement, including the couple’s. The only details I remembered about the Caucasian man were that he wore a black coat and a black hat. I thought I saw some blond hair sticking out from his hat. He was about six feet tall. Other than that, I couldn’t remember anything. Everything happened so fast.
“Don’t stress. If you remember anything else, call me.” Officer Jensen scribbled a number on a piece of paper for me. “I’ll browse the parking lot and check out the cameras from security. I’ll let you know if I uncover anything.”
“Thank you,” I said.
Officer Jensen returned to his cruiser and made a call.
A Lexus SUV pulled up with Austin in the driver’s seat, looking right at me. My heart galloped as he stepped out, walking straight toward me.
CHAPTER TWO
AUSTIN
I hadn’t beento the mall in years, and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Ava. She appeared distraught. Why was a police car there?
“Hey,” I said, trying my best to calm my racing heart. “Are you okay?”
“What are you doing here?” she asked, taking one step back from me.
Pain squeezed my heart.It’s your own fault, asshole.
“Picking up an order for my mother. What happened here?” I gestured to the police car with flashing lights.
Ava stared at me with those big brown eyes I remembered so well. Curiosity, confusion, and anger flashed in them.
“Why do you care?” she asked coldly.
“She fought off a thief.” A woman in a furry coat placed a hand on Ava’s back. “The police will find him, sweetheart. We’ve got to go now.”
“Thank you for helping me.” Ava smiled at the couple. “Happy Holidays.”
“Same to you.” The couple walked off.
Protectiveness soared in me. “What does he look like? Where is he?”
“That’s not your business.” Ava turned and walked toward her car.
My fingers curled, wanting to yank her back into my arms. But that wouldn’t happen. She hated me and with good reason. No respectable man ends a perfect relationship via text.
I watched her drive off and my chest tightened. As I walked back to my car, a police officer exited his cruiser. I recognized a family friend I hadn’t seen in a while.
Jeremy Jensen saw me, saluted, and walked over.
“How’s it going?” He shook my hand. “Christmas shopping?”
“Not really. Just running an errand for my mother. What happened here?”
“We have a thief on the loose. It’s not surprising at this time of the year. But he did it in broad daylight. The woman whacked him in the head with some candles.”
I smiled, remembering her stubbornness. I didn’t see any injuries on Ava just now. But what if the asshole had done something to her? My body shivered at the dark scenario.
“Was she hurt?” I asked.
“No.” Jeremy glanced around. “I’m meeting the mall security to check their cameras. The thief took a bracelet from her.”
