“No, it was still dark when I got here.”
“You couldn’t see it under the light?”
She pursed her lips and scowled. “No. Because the damn light’s been out for three months and George is too damn cheap to replace it. I can’t replace it myself, because I don’t have a fifteen-foot ladder.”
He looked up at the light. Sure enough, the bulb was broken. He stepped closer to the other door and saw that light was busted as well.
“And it wasn’t there the day before?”
She shook her head. “No. Just the usual dirt and grime.”
“What about the security footage?” He pointed at one of the security cameras mounted at the end of the alley.
She braced her hands on her hips. “I highly doubt they work. If you manage to get a recording of whoever did this last night, I’ll give you free pastries for the rest of the month.”
As good as that sounded, he didn’t hold out hope that someone who wouldn’t foot the bill to replace a light bulb had working security cameras.
“Thanks, Elba.”
“Sure thing. Come inside when you’re done and I’ll get you guys some coffee to go.”
Tim walked over to the building owner, who was kicking at glass on the ground.
“Damn delinquents,” he muttered.
“Mr. Baker? I noticed the video cameras at the ends of the alleyway. Do they work?”
“Psh. They’re for show. Do you know how much twenty-four-hour coverage costs? More money than it’s worth.” He had a small, light brown stain halfway down his shirt where coffee seemed to have dripped onto his paunch.
“Right.” Tim jotted a couple of notes down to jog his memory later for the report. “So you don’t have anything to add for the report?”
“No. I just need the report so I can file the insurance claim so I don’t have to pay for this mess.”
Tim pulled out a business card. “The number to call for the report is on the back. It’ll take seven to ten business days for it to be ready for you to pick up.”
“Seven to—! That’s ridiculous! How long does it take to type up a report that says ‘the building got graffitied?’”
“Right now? Closer to ten business days.” Tim held out the business card and stared down at the man blustering in front on him.
George snatched the business card from Tim and stormed down the alley, muttering to himself.
“Ten days exactly,” he said under his breath. He clicked his pen, slid it into the loop on the side of his notepad, and joined Kevin and Zoe.
“You good?”
“Yes,” Kevin said. “Not a whole lot of information. Just the graffiti.” He glanced between them. “I’m gonna go…that way.” He pointed down the alley and left them.
“Morning,” Tim said.
“Morning.” Zoe’s gaze trailed down his body. It caused a physical reaction. He could almost feel the brush of her fingertips, leaving behind a trail of goosebumps on his flesh.
“Stop looking at me like that, Zoe.”
“Like what?” Her wide, doe-eyes weren’t fooling him with her pretend innocence. She knew exactly what she did to him. “You look really good in uniform.”
“Should I keep it on tonight?”
He heard her breath catch in the back of her throat. They were absolutely going to have to explore that scenario.
