Dillian doesn’t push it. “What about this note? May I see it?”
There’s a rustling of paper. “He says he’ll be seeing me soon. What does that mean? Is he going to come back?”
“It could be nothing, ma’am. Some people leave notes like this, thinking they’re being romantic, not realizing how threatening it can come across.”
“Romantic?” Her voice rises slightly. “Breaking into someone’s house isn’t romantic!”
“No, it’s not,” Dillian agrees. “But the books and the note. Maybe the man is just a plain ole idiot?”
Gee, thanks. Dillian.
“Still, I don’t want anyone in here without me knowing who they are.” Lila says.
“Look, I recommend you carry some pepper spray, keep your doors and windows locked, and maybe consider staying with a friend for a few days if you’re concerned.”
“I can’t leave,” she says, so quietly I almost miss it.
“Ma’am?”
“Nothing. Never mind. Will you file a report?”
“Of course. I’ll need to take these books as evidence.”
“No!” The force in her voice surprises me. “I mean—they’re not evidence of a crime, are they? He paid for them. For me.”
Dillian pauses. I can picture his face—the slight furrow between his eyebrows when he’s thinking. “I suppose not. But the note—”
“I’ll keep it, in case anything else happens.”
They talk for a few more minutes. Dillian takes down her information, promises to increase patrols in the area, and suggests she call if anything else happens. Standard procedure. I owe him.
The cruiser pulls away about twenty minutes later. I wait another ten before pulling out my phone again.
Dillian answers on the first ring. “You’re lucky I caught that call before dispatch routed it. What the hell are you playing at, Tony?”
“Did you see her? Did you see how scared she was? And not just of me.”
“Yeah, I saw,” he admits reluctantly. “But breaking into her house? Leaving notes? That’s crazy, Tony.”
“She wouldn’t talk to me in the bookstore. I just wanted to get to know her.”
“By scaring the shit out of her? Great plan.”
I run a hand through my hair, frustrated. “I didn’t think it through. I just wanted to do something nice after what happened at the bookstore.”
“What happened at the bookstore?” There’s suspicion in his voice now.
“Long story. Look, I just need you to trust me on this one. Her husband’s bad news. I feel it in my gut. Something isn’t right.”
“And then what? She falls into your arms, grateful for her knight in shining armor?” The sarcasm is thick.
“It’s not like that.”
“Isn’t it?” He sighs heavily. “Look, just be careful. And for God’s sake, stop breaking into her house. That’s not helping anyone. This is not how we operate.”
“Thanks for taking the call.”
“Yeah, well, don’t make it a habit. And Tony? We’re having a beer soon, and you’re going to tell me what this is really about.”
