I grip the steering wheel a bit tighter for the rest of the journey. Johnston must have discovered something, or he wouldn’t have called.
Five minutes later, I arrive, and Tonya waves me toward Johnston’s office.
Johnston stands. “Shut the door, will you?”
After doing so, I sit across from him.
He leans back and runs a hand through his hair. “How’s Melody?”
“She’ll be okay. She’s safe at the mansion.”
He gives me a tight smile. “It’s none of my business, of course, but I assume that is a permanent move.”
I take a deep breath. I haven’t discussed staying in Wilde yet with Melody, but suddenly I know for a fact that’s what’s going to happen. “Yes.”
His smile softens. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you. But that’s not what you called me for.”
“No.” He sighs. “Before I left last night, I set up my own camera at her cottage. Tucked it up high, hoping no one would notice it.”
I sit straighter.
“Drove by there this morning. There was more vandalism. Same basic filthy harassment. Whoever is doing this is probably hoping to chase her out of town.”
“Why would anyone want to chase Melody out of town?”
He shrugs. “They don’t like what she writes?”
“Jesus. Have you checked the video?”
“Yes. I don’t know who it is because the vandal was wearing a mask and it was dark, but I believe it’s a woman.”
“I think I know who it is.”
Johnston leans forward. “Go on.”
“Dallas has been scouring old footage from Melody’s camera. The day the book was supposedly delivered, it wasn’t the regular mailman doing the route. I don’t know who it was, but it was a woman. I was actually headed to the post office to speak to the postmaster when you called.”
Johnston nods. “Shouldn’t be too difficult to find out who runs the route when Jessop is on vacation or out sick.” He stands. “I’ll go talk to the postmaster.”
I’m slightly deflated since that had been my plan. “Okay. I’ll go check on her car.”
Johnston pauses as he’s rounding the desk. “Her car?”
“Yes. When she came out of the library to go home on Saturday, the battery was dead. I found myself suddenly very glad she either left the lights on or had a faulty battery.” I grin.
Johnston frowns. “Are you sure that was the problem?”
I stiffen, my face falling. “Fuck.” Why didn’t I consider that possibility?
Johnston holds up his hands. “I’m not suggesting anything, I’m just curious if you’re certain that was the problem, under the circumstances.”
“Shit,” I mutter. “I had Winston tow it yesterday. I told him we would be busy all day and I would check in with him today.”
Johnston squeezes my shoulder. “You do that. I’ll head to the post office. Meet you at the mansion afterward. We need to include Melody in whatever we find.”
I nod. “Agreed.” I turn and jog toward my truck. Why the fuck didn’t it occur to me that perhaps her car breaking down was not a coincidence? It’s still possible, but the hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end now.
