“Agreed.”
“They dragged this cumbersome stuffed man from a vehicle parked somewhere on the street into the park, propped him in the gazebo, snapped pictures, posted one online, cleaned the scene of the crime, and hauled him back to the street then disappeared. Why?”
“Feels like a prank.”
“Hell of a lot of work for a prank. And why not leave him behind?”
Tom sighed. “I have no idea. Mia, got any thoughts?”
The girl froze like lights from a police helicopter had landed on her, highlighting the criminal.
She searched her pockets and pulled out her phone. “The post has lots of views.”
Carmen reached to check the phone. “How many?”
“It’s over two hundred.”
Tom groaned. “Keep an eye on the account and text me later with the numbers and if any other photos appear. We need to check the address and call the bank.”
Carmen checked her watch. “I’ll get on that.” She trotted to her car parked on the opposite side of the park.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you to school and talk to your mom.” Tom followed Mia, reviewing the dozens of things he had left to do today including a trip to the canyon to check on several elderly residents.
“Isn’t there anything else I can do?”
“Not yet. Detective Vogel will handle the rest.”
Back in his car, he noted Mia’s face but wasn’t following her little pout down a rabbit trail. At the school, he followed Mia into the office, checked her in, left a message for Mr. Marsh, and went back to his car to call her mother.
With all those boxes checked, he cleared a trip to the canyon with dispatch and settled in for some quiet, thinking time.
Kids. Had to be.
What adult wanted to mess around like this.
&&&&&&&&&&&
His trip to the canyon complete, Tom parked in Clem’s lot next to Summer’s car. He had one item left before clock out.
Terry Pine needed a welfare check, dinner, and a few groceries. The bachelor had knee surgery Monday and getting around on his own would aggravate the healing knee and earn a lecture from Dr. Jackie. One phone call and Tom coaxed the man into accepting help. Terry hated charity, but he had no family. It wasn’t the way of this community to leave it’s elderly uncared for.
He got out and stretched, relishing the fresh air. The Christmas carols had been shut off, thank God. But the traffic hum heralded how fast the calendar was moving to Christmas.
Santa’s spot in front of Slade’s mocked him. He craned his neck to study the display. Were there flower arrangements in his place? Like a funeral memorial?
“This town has lost its mind,” Tom muttered and hurried to the entrance.
His radar tuned to his wife, he found her sitting in a booth on the back wall. He waved off the teenage waitress and started her direction only to be waylaid by Clem.
“Find Santa yet? Saw pictures online.”
More likely someone showed him the pictures, but Tom wasn’t about to quibble. “No. Checked the spot. He’d been moved again.”
“Whoever did this is pulling a prank.” Clem looked tired and was not usually the cranky type.
The town paid him big bucks not to utter snide comments, but the temptation sat there. Summer’s warm palm slipped into his.
He connected with her sweet green eyes and forgot what he was about to say. She squeezed his fingers and gave him an easy smile.
