She shut the door then shook the handle to ensure it was locked—something she’d never done once since taking up operation three years ago.Whistlemore was such a small, usually safe, community.She shouldn’t have to worry about more vandalism.
Darkness closed in around her.She pulled out her phone and turned on its flashlight, but the stinking beam didn’t stretch more than a foot in front of her.
So much for that.
The large pine trees backing the parking lot offered even more shadows around her vehicle.Of course.Because the parking lot wasn’t creepy enough.
She harrumphed.
The criminal had taken both her front window and her peace of mind for the day.That was all they’d get.She tightened her hold on the steel can and strode across the gravel.Her shoes kicked loose stones, making a skittering sound that tested her nerves.
She swallowed and envisioned her cozy living room waiting for her.She put one foot in front of the other, keeping her gaze on the swaying bushes and trees, where someone could be waiting.A droplet of fear rolled down her spine, making her shoulder blades pinch painfully together.
The scuff of footsteps made her stop and spin around.“Who’s there?”she called out, as if her killer would kindly respond.God, she’d seen enough horror movies to know when the actor died, and if she were in one of those videos it’d be right about now.Holding her phone higher, she searched the dark shapes around her.
She strained to hear over the gentle rustle of leaves and the sound of cars on the road out front of her shop.
Nothing.
Her legs buzzed with the urge to run.She picked up the pace and closed in on her car.Opening her purse, she dropped her phone inside then snagged her keys from the pocket.Keeping her bear spray in hand, she approached the driver’s side and opened the door.A rush of movement came from the back of the car.
Whack!
Someone’s weight slammed her against the car.The quick movement only allowed her to catch sight of a ski mask and black clothing.The air rushed from Dez’s lungs as the tall attacker circled a rough arm around her throat.
Dez’s purse fell to the ground.The person’s hot, angry breath invaded her space.“Die, bitch,” the person hissed, their grip crushing her windpipe.The starry sky flickered as oxygen left her lungs.
She wriggled against her assailant and her hand clenched the metal can.
The bear spray.It’d be dangerous to shoot it at such close range, but she’d pass out if she didn’t.Squeezing her eyes shut, she turned her head away and lifted the cannister over her shoulder, blasting the mist into her attacker’s face.
A high-pitched shriek followed and the person stumbled away.The pungent aerosol rushed into Dez’s nose and mouth.She pulled her cardigan over her nose, but the parking lot spun.Grunting on the ground told her that her assailant was coming for her.
With her hand on her car, she floundered toward the back of the vehicle, away from the lunatic on the ground.
If I can just make it to the street...
A hand clamped around her ankle.Dez stumbled and landed on the gravel, her knees smashing into the stones.Fear ricocheted through her senses, yelling at her to run.
She opened her mouth and a scream ripped from her throat.
CHAPTER 3
Aiden turned downthe radio as he cruised along Main Street.It was almost 9:00 p.m., and his twelve-hour shift was behind him.
Desiree Zimmerman was anything but.
Rolling down his window, he sucked in a breath of fresh air.Dez’s shop came into view.Black plastic covered the space where her window had been.A fist twisted his stomach.While he didn’t have any ties to the shop, hadn’t even been inside before today, the fact that someone in the community had executed a hate crime made his blood boil.Especially against someone as sweet as Dez.Well, maybesweetwasn’t the word.Undeserving though.
True to his word, he’d questioned the owners of the café down the street and had asked all the businesses around Dez’s shop for camera footage of the previous night.The bank and grocery store were the only places on Main Street that had cameras.He’d sent the footage to his team at the department, but so far, they’d found nothing.
More than likely the person had entered the parking lot through the park, but he needed to check all the boxes.
He glanced at the clock.It’d take only a minute to peek around the business and make sure the culprit hadn’t returned.He pulled to the side of the road and crawled to a stop in front of the store.Grabbing his flashlight, he stepped out of the car.He shined the light at the front door.No sounds came from inside.
He approached and looked through the door’s glass, squinting as he held the flashlight to see inside.Clean and closed up.
He could circle around back, but—
