A maroon-colored Buick fired up at the other end of the parking lot and drove their way, parking on Anna’s side. The window rolled down to reveal Nonna Albertini with her hair in a scarf, and her eyes covered by wide Audrey-Hepburn style sunglasses. “The perp hasn’t moved an inch,” she whispered.
Anna leaned out the window. “Tell me you aren’t wearing a trench coat.”
“It’s your grandfather’s,” Nonna confirmed. “I say we make things happen here. How about I roust him out of the room and you two follow him?”
Heather’s mouth gaped open.
Anna somehow managed to keep a straight face. “I think we’ll do this the old-fashioned way, Nonna. You go on home, and we’ll just watch and see what Jack does. If we need backup, I promise you’re the first person we’ll call.”
Her grandmother’s eyebrow rose. “Are you armed? If not, I brought the Glock.”
“I’m armed. My Smith and Wesson is in the glovebox,” Anna said.
“Don’t be afraid to use it.” Her Nonna dug around in a monstrous purse and handed up a wooden spoon. “This is an extra weapon. Just in case you don’t need bullets.”
Anna dutifully accepted the spoon. “You’re the best. Thanks.”
“Any time. You girls be careful.” The window rolled up, and Nonna drove sedately out of the parking lot to the quiet road.
Anna set the spoon on the seat between them. “See why I wanted to hurry?”
Heather burst out laughing, unable to help herself. “I love her. The woman looks just like Sophia Loren, don’t you think?”
Anna grinned. “Yeah. She hears that a lot.” She kicked her legs out. “Her idea wasn’t bad. What do you think about dealing with this head-on?”
Heather finished her coffee. “I’m all for it. I think I should go talk to him alone and see if I can get him to confess everything.” She’d been thinking about the situation all morning. “If he can be a manipulative jackass, I don’t see why I can’t do the same thing.” She dug her phone from her purse. “I’ll set the phone to record and see what I can find out.”
Anna nodded. “Agreed.” She pushed the spoon toward Heather. “Take the spoon. You’d be surprised how effective it can be when smacked against somebody’s nose.”
Heather shoved the spoon in her purse. “Do you mind driving closer?” Ice covered the cemented parking area, and she’d no doubt fall on the crutches.
“No problem. I’m going to park right outside, and if you scream, I’ll come running. Armed,” Anna said, driving across the lot to park next to Jack’s SUV. “You can do this.”
Adrenaline heated Heather’s veins, and her breath panted, but she forced herself to remain calm. “Yep. No problem.”
Zena whined from the back seat and lifted her head. Her soft brown eyes seemed to provide a warning.
“You could take the dog,” Anna mused. “If Jack does try anything, Zena can be fierce.”
“Good idea.” While Heather wanted to get to the bottom of the situation and find out who Jack had hired to impersonate her, she wasn’t stupid. He was obviously a little nutty, and having a dog protecting her was just smart. “What do you think, Zena? Are you up for a job?”
The dog barked and sat up.
“There you go,” Anna said.
Heather hauled the crutches over the seat and opened her door, gingerly stepping out. She started recording on her phone and slipped it into her coat pocket with the speaker barely poking out. “Come on, girl.”
Zena bounded over the seat and jumped outside, sliding across the ice.
Heather drew her shoulders tight and hitched across the ice to knock on Jack’s door.
He opened it wearing tan pants with a blue sweater, having obviously shaved and showered already. He backed up a step. “Heather.” Pleasure warmed his eyes.
“I thought we should talk.” She moved inside along with the dog.
He glanced down at the canine. “You didn’t need to bring protection. I’d never hurt you.” He frowned, his wide hand still on the doorway. “You have to know that.”
Her head jerked back as her body recoiled. “You tried to have me arrested for vandalism. You set me up. That’s hurtful.”
