Jenna drew a deep breath. “I, um, was wondering if for some reason you might have slipped into my apartment in the last hour? Or less? Or if not you, maybe you lent out a key?” That sounded entirely too accusatory, didn’t it?
Diane’s almost grandmotherly tone sharpened into something firmer. “I most certainly did neither of those things. I would have notified you beforehand, unless there’d been a big emergency, in which case I’d have called you right after.”
Right. That was what Jenna had thought, too.
“Why would you ask such a question?”
Jenna pursed her lips.He was sure.He’d always been fairly detail-oriented, and she’d overheard him relay the vehicle information to the second round of deputies on the scene the day before. “I went out for a short while, about half an hour ago,” she said, “and there are small signs that someone came in while I was away. I haven’t gone through the whole apartment, but I know I locked up, and I wasn’t gone long—”
“You haven’t gone through the apartment?” Diane gasped. “What if they’re still inside? Jenna, get out of there this instant! If you’re sure someone broke in, get out and call the police!”
Jenna winced.
Jon leaned forward. “Excuse me, ma’am,” he said, “what she means is that she hasn’t searched for signs of what all might have been moved, misplaced, or stolen. The apartment is clean as far as active intruders.”
There was a long pause. “And you are…?”
“Jon Johnson, recently departed from the United States Marine Corps. Very much not dead, despite what you may have heard.”
“Johnson?” Diane repeated, followed by a series of muttered and increasingly scandalized “oh!”s that assured she had, in fact, heard the rumors. She’d lived in Misty Glades long enough, after all. Finally, she returned her focus to the phone. “So sorry, Mr. Johnson. Then, the apartment itself is secure? Is the door damaged? Do I need to call out a locksmith?”
Jon raised a brow at her, and Jenna realized he intended to let her answer.
“Nothing looks damaged,” Jenna answered. She probably would have noticed damage, and she’d definitely not had trouble with her key. “Changing the lock won’t make a difference if we don’t know who’s responsible. I haven’t given mine out.” She’d been so careful with it.
Again, Diane was quiet a moment, but when she spoke, her voice was softer. “Jenna, I still think you should report this. Even if nothing turns up missing. But I can’t do it for you.”
Jenna grimaced. More interaction with the sheriff’s office was the last thing she wanted.
Jon spoke up again before she could reply. “One more question,” he said. “Do you remember seeing anyone outsiderecently who was out of place or acting suspicious? Or an unfamiliar vehicle?”
Diane hummed. “Well, there has been an unfamiliar green Ford outside today. I noticed it a couple of hours ago, and it’s still there.”
Jenna raised a hand to her mouth to stifle her laugh.
Jon grinned. “Yes, ma’am, that one’s mine. Feel free to take note of it.”
Diane giggled briefly. “I’m sorry to say I haven’t noticed any other. But I did fall asleep for a bit this afternoon.”
Jenna’s amusement fell. “That’s okay. If you could just keep an eye out for me, I’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll be sure to do that, sweetheart.”
They disconnected and Jenna slumped back. “Well, at least we know she looks periodically.”
“How likely is it that someone got access to your key while you weren’t paying attention?”
Jenna frowned. “I keep my things locked up when I’m at work. Even my employees don’t have access.” She shrugged. “Sure, I set my purse down next to me when I go to the diner, like every other woman, but it’s right at my side. Not hanging off the chair behind me. I’m kind of paranoid about that stuff.”
“And Diane?”
Nerves twisted Jenna’s insides. “I have no idea what her security habits are. I know she keeps a spare key of everyone’s units, somewhere inside her place. She never invites us that deep in.”
Jon shifted his gaze around. “Checking out the apartment thoroughly would be a good idea,” he said, “but unless doing so clearly reveals the guilty party, that’s still going to leave you with two immediate options.”
Jenna twisted a little sideways. “I don’t follow.”
He met her stare and held up one hand, ticking off fingers. “One, you stay in the comfort of your home and I crash on the sofa.”
