An hour later, I hear the knock. I check the camera first, of course I do, before I open the door.
“Morning,” Tobias says. Same suit as always. Same tired eyes. He’s been on the force longer than some of our junior attorneys have been alive.
I step back. “Mornin’, Mr. T. Come in.”
He crosses the threshold, giving me a an expression that’s half amusement, half exasperation. “You are always getting yourself into some kind of trouble, young lady.”
I grin. “I know, T-man. What can I say? It’s my superpower.”
“Want to look at the footage in your office?” he asks, already moving through the space he’s navigated before.
Tobias doesn’t have the best eyesight anymore. My desktop gives a bigger, sharper view. Easier for him to see the details.
“Do you mind if I use the bathroom first?” he asks, already heading in the right direction.
“Of course,” I say, motioning down the hall.
A minute later, he reemerges with a grimace.
“I piss like a broken faucet,” he says. “Slow leak all damn night. Up more times than a preacher at a revival.”
“Sounds miserable.”
“It is. Don’t get old, Laurette. It sucks.”
“I’ll try not to.”
I click on the footage and let it roll.
“There,” I say when the figure appears on screen. “That’s him.”
Tobias leans in, eyes narrowing. “He doesn’t approach the house.”
“No. Just the mailbox. He snaps a photo of my mail, then puts it back.”
“Any threats?” Tobias asks.
“Just a note.”
I reach for the plastic sleeve and hold it up. Inside is the napkin with the serpent monogram, Leviathan’s mark. Tobias takes it from me and squints as he reads aloud.
“‘Careful what you wish for, Laurette. You have my attention. B.’”
He looks up. “No idea who B could be?”
“None.”
He grunts. “Sounds personal. Maybe he likes you.”
I half laugh. “At least this one isn’t threatening to kill me.”
“That’s an improvement,” he says, shaking his head. “I’ll file it as harassment and document it. But there are no legal teeth yet.”
Yet.
“If he escalates, I’ll be here with my lead peacemaker.” He meets my eyes. “But you need to be careful, Laurette. Keep your doors locked. Cameras rolling. Always on alert.”
Tobias has known me for years. We’ve worked murders, assaults, political cases thick with corruption. He knows I don’t spook easily.
