“Yes,” Presley confirmed. “Will we have time to go get a new door before he gets here?”
“Yes. He won’t be here until after lunch.” I didn’t tell her he was coming from Devil Springs because I didn’t want her to think I had called in a special favor. Technically, I hadn’t. Judge would have said no if he didn’t want to do it. “Are you two ready to go?”
“Ready when you are.”
We loaded into the SUV and headed to the home improvement store. The selection of exterior doors was minimal at best, but Presley found a prehung door that would work.
“Do you want to stop by the clubhouse on the way back and pick up your car?” I asked once we had the door secured to the top of my SUV.
“Oh, yes, please,” Presley said. “With everything else, I forgot about my car.”
As I followed her back to her house, I called Phoenix to let him know what was going on.
He listened intently while I filled him in. “Those two sure have had a run of bad luck here recently. How are they handling it?”
“I think Presley’s okay, but she might be in task mode. Ariel seems shaken up. She’s been glued to Presley’s side since it happened.”
“Maybe she’ll feel better after the alarm is installed,” he said. “Do you think the break-in is related to Ariel being drugged?”
“I don’t know. The timing is awfully coincidental, but I highly doubt those three little queefs are able to get around yet.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. And they would’ve done some damage to the house or stolen things of value.”
“The combination of clothes, food, and camping gear makes me think it might have been a homeless person. It’s just weird that they picked Presley’s house.”
“You said they got some fingerprints, right?”
“Yeah, they said they got several, but some will belong to Presley, Ariel, and me.”
“If she hasn’t heard anything from the police department in a few days, let me know. I’ll give Chuck a call and see what’s going on.”
“Thanks, Prez.”
Next, I called Dice. “Hey, man,” I said when he answered. “You want to help me install a door today?”
“Sure. Who needs a door?”
“Presley,” I said and told him what happened.
“Damn. She’s having a rough go of it. When are we doing this? Now?”
“Yeah. I’m on my way to her house with the door now.”
“Okay. Text me her address, and I’ll head your way. Do you need me to bring anything?”
“Yeah,” I chuckled. “She has only basic tools.”
“Gotcha. I’ll load up what we need and head your way.”
“Thanks, man.” I finished the call with Dice just as I was pulling into Presley’s driveway. I got out and followed Presley and Ariel inside.
“What do you need us to do?” Presley asked.
“Nothing. Dice is going to come over and help me with the door.”
“I can’t just sit here and do nothing,” she said.
“We can get groceries,” Ariel suggested. “And make lunch for everyone.”
