“I’m guessing you don’t want me to answer the door?” Thomas quips, flashing his cocky grin my way.
I laugh, tension leaving me. I’m so grateful for those two, and I want to make sure they know it.
“Maybe next time,” I say, shaking my head, and go back to the table. If Tiffany is coming from the station, we have some time. But she must have already been on her way, or was leaving from her house, because ten minutes later, she knocks on the door.
The guys go into the library, and I hope Tiffany doesn’t ask for a house tour. This place is impressive.
“Thank you so much,” Tiffany says when I open the door. She turns and looks at the bare spots on the porch steps. “What happened to your gargoyles?”
Mygargoyles. I like the way that sounds.
“I didn’t like them. They were pretty creepy.”
Tiffany gives me an incredulous stare for a second before pulling the papers from her bag. She knows I don’t get creeped out. I like weird, and I don’t believe in anything paranormal.
Or so she thinks.
“This place is amazing!” She looks around, following me into the living room. I set the papers on the coffee table, not needing to read through them. I’ve filled out this form a thousand times and can read it in my sleep.
“Thanks. I haven’t decorated much. Or at all, really. But it’s in decent shape. There are a few things that need to be updated, but it’s not too bad.”
“Once you get everything done, this place is going to be amazing. You need to have a housewarming party just to show it off.”
“Give me like five years to get started on that,” I say with a laugh. “And at least another three to figure out how to decorate.”
“If you want to bounce ideas off of me, feel free. I’ve been binging HGTV lately when Mavy wakes up in the middle of the night. Which has been nightly for the last three weeks.”
“Sounds rough.”
She nods. “It is. But I’d do it all over again.” She looks around the house, her gaze landing on the dining room. Specifically, the five table settings. “I didn’t mean to interrupt dinner,” she apologizes. “Especially when you have guests.”
“It’s fine. It’s just my cousins,” I say, going with a lie I’ve previously told. “They’re back in town.”
“Well, I’ll let you guys get back to dinner. See you tomorrow.”
I walk her to the door and watch to make sure she gets into her car safely. As she’s driving away, the headlights of her car illuminate what looks like a person hiding in the bushes. I jump off the porch and race down the cobblestone path. I’m not wearing shoes, and I don’t have my gun.
Neither stop me.
“Ace?” Gilbert calls from inside the house. I can feel their presence behind me, sprinting out to defend me against the monster that’s lurking in the yard.
Only it’s not a monster. It’s fucking Jared, and he has his video camera again. He tries to run away, but smacks face-first into a tree in his attempt to leave. His camera smashes into his face, lens cracking from impact.
I tackle him to the ground, so wishing I had cuffs on me. I give him props for being persistent, and he’s definitely onto something. But dammit, I can’t let him get away with this.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” I say, pulling him to his feet. “Again?”
“They’re not there!” he stammers, pointing to the house.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I take a hold of his arm and start directing him to the house.
“They were there and now they’re not!” His eyes are wide with disbelief, and he walks toward the house without resisting just so he can get closer. Then he realizes what’s going on and jerks away. “What are you doing?”
“I’m arresting you.”
He spins around, jaw falling open. “You can’t arrest me.”
“Watch me.”
