The four of us filed through the kitchen, which had a similar disordered look as the dining area. While I was glad nothing was broken, I was still peeved at the mess. I’d wanted to be in bed by nine. It was past that now, plus it would take me a couple of hours to clean everything up.
“This is the only place where there’s any sort of real destruction.” Ozzie skimmed a finger over the doorjamb of my office door. “They forced the door open.”
“But they still didn’t take anything?” I asked.
“Not that I can tell.” He swept an arm toward the open doorway. “You check, though.”
I wandered in and gave the small room a once-over. Nothing seemed like it was missing, but I wouldn’t know for sure until I put it all back to rights. The important things, like my computer and checkbook, were still there, and the safe was closed.
Moving over to the latter, I spun the dial and opened it. The cash I put there earlier was still in the same neat pile I left it in.
Closing the door, I locked the safe, then turned to Ozzie. “They didn’t get in the safe.”
“Good. Do you notice anything missing? I know it’s a mess, but first impression. Is anything not here?”
“Nothing of note, I would say.” I lifted a shoulder. “I’ll be able to tell you for sure once I clean up the mess.” Holding my hands out, I gestured to the heap of papers, pens, and other random office supplies littering the floor and desktop.
“Okay. Can you pull up your security footage now?”
“Yes.” Reaching into my pocket, I took out my phone. “It’s easier to get it off the app.” Unlocking my phone, I pulled up my security system app and the stored surveillance footage for my single camera. “Here.” I handed it to him, then leaned in so I could see.
Luke and Claire crowded around us, and we all watched the video play. At one point, a dark-clothed figure with a hood up moved into view for a couple of seconds, then disappeared. They never moved back into frame.
Ozzie let out a deep breath as he handed me my phone. “I’ll check with the neighboring businesses and see if any of themhave cameras that face this way. Maybe one of them caught something more than a hooded figure slinking around.”
“Sorry mine wasn’t more help. I’ve never needed more than just the camera pointing at the register.”
He waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it. I get it. We’re not exactly a hotbed of crime up here.”
Not normally, no. I hoped that wasn’t changing, though, after what happened with Marie Hammond and now Moira Duluth.
“Can I clean up, or do you still need to process the scene more?”
“I took pictures already and dusted several surfaces for prints. That surveillance footage told me one pertinent thing: your intruder wore gloves. So, yes, I’m done. Let’s head next door for a moment. You two can check it for missing items, then Claire and I will help you clean up in here.” His gaze encompassed me and Luke.
“You don’t have to stay,” I argued. “I’ll be fine.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Hush. We’re helping. End of story.”
“Same.” Luke’s low voice rumbled through me like a warm hug.
Tears pressed against the backs of my eyes. “Thank you,” I managed to push around the lump in my throat. It was nice to have good friends who cared, and I was so grateful.
Luke’s broad palm smoothed small circles over my upper back. I let his touch seep into me for several long moments before following Ozzie and Claire out the back door of the coffeeshop. We walked the twenty-odd feet to the back door of the antique store and went inside.
“This is all you.” I held up my hands and looked at Luke. “Nothing here is mine except the building itself.”
Standing back, I watched Luke wander around for several minutes. Much like the coffeeshop, though, nothing was missing.
“Well, I’m glad they didn’t take anything, but it also bothers me they didn’t,” Ozzie said once we were back in the coffeeshop a few minutes later. “Mina, make sure you lock your doors at home. Maybe keep a weapon close by while you sleep. They might try to break into your house to find whatever it is they didn’t find here.”
A sliver of unease trickled down my spine. “You’re such a ray of sunshine, Oz, thank you.”
He had the good grace to look chagrinned. “Sorry. I know I’m blunt, but I want you to be safe.”
Leaning down, I shot him a smile as I picked up a chair to right it. “I know, and I appreciate your concern. I’ll be careful.” And I would too. I owned several weapons and knew how to use them well. I’d load one and leave it near my bed. For a second, I debated asking Claire if I could borrow Pebbles. That dog would set off the alarm if so much as a leaf twitched. My cat would hate her, though. I’d just dig out the jingle bells from my Christmas stuff and attach them to the doors. Hopefully, that would be enough to wake me.
CHAPTER 25
