Detective Paris and the county’s medical examiner, Eve Marks, started dating back in April, though they’d been friends for some time before that. It wasn’t until they worked on a case that involved a serial killer who’d set his sights on Eve that they realized how they felt about each other. If Nate were a betting man, he’d wager that Paris would pop the question by the end of the year.
“We’ll have officers finish cataloging photos of any evidence they find. Then I’ll have a couple of them go around the perimeter of the farm. See if there’s any obviouspoint where the trespasser is gaining access to the property. We’ll check the for sale sign for fingerprints, too.” He pocketed his notebook. “If Bailey isn’t willing to leave her home, maybe a relative can come stay with her. I really don’t like the idea of her being out here with the boys alone.”
“Neither do I.”
The problem was that she had no family in the area, and she wasn’t overly close to the family she did have. There was no way Bailey would call them up and ask them to travel to Destiny.
He had an idea, but he wanted to talk to Jenny in case his first choice of options fell through. One way or another, he had to figure out a way to convince Bailey to let someone stay with her for a few days.
Chapter Twelve
The last of the police officers left with Detective Paris’s promise that they’d do everything they could to figure out who was causing so much trouble. It made Bailey feel better that someone was actively investigating the case. Between all of the pictures and evidence the officers gathered, dusting the FOR SALE sign for prints, and checking the perimeter of the property, hopefully, they’d find some information that might help.
All in all, they’d spent several hours at the store. Now, it was well after four in the afternoon, and she needed to get the boys home. Hopefully, they’d go to bed easily tonight. She was exhausted and really needed them to. Desperately. Once they were asleep, she had every intention of digging into her candy stash. Something with peanut butter and chocolate was exactly what she needed after a day like today.
She looked at the notepad where she’d been making a list of things she needed to do. Like calling Rachel and letting her know the store might not be open to the publicon Friday. Along with that, she planned to research companies who might be able to demolish the old barn, look into installing security cameras, and call her insurance company.
Not to mention the time it would take to get the shop itself cleaned up. That thought alone was overwhelming.
Maybe the company she hired to demolish the barn could do the same with the shop. Then, she could start over with a clean slate. Okay, not really, but the thought had crossed her mind in a flash of morbid humor.
While the police had been investigating, Nate and a couple of other guys she didn’t know got a new door installed and boarded up the broken windows.
At least the store was secure again. Of course, she’d thought it was originally, too.
A touch to her arm made her jump. She slapped a hand against her chest and turned.
Jenny gave her an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. I was talking to you, and I didn’t realize you hadn’t heard me.”
Bailey shook her head. “I guess I was lost in thought. What did you say?” She took a deep breath and sent up a silent prayer.Lord, please give me the energy and focus to get through the rest of today.
Nate stepped up beside Jenny, and the two of them exchanged looks.
Bailey’s brows rose. “What’s going on?”
Jenny cleared her throat. “We’ve been talking, and we’re both worried about you and the boys being at the house alone tonight.”
Bailey wasn’t about to let someone run her out of her own home. That said, it was impossible to ignore the fact that if someone had gotten into the store so easily, it wouldn’t take much more to break into her house.
The thought made her stomach churn. She’d already decided to sleep in the living room so she could hear if anyone messed with the doors. The decision made her feel slightly better.
“We’ll be okay,” she told her friends, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt. “I appreciate it, though. I can’t thank you both enough for everything you’ve done over the last few days.”
Nate didn’t look convinced. “Is there anyone you three could stay with for the next few days? I could run out here first thing to check on the animals for you.”
“I’m not leaving my house.” Bailey straightened her spine and crossed her arms. “It’s the principle of the thing. I will not allow someone to run me off my own property.” Surely they could understand that.
Judging by the look the two of them exchanged, they had not only expected her response but had a backup plan.
Bailey’s eyes narrowed. “Why do I feel like you guys are conspiring behind my back?”
Jenny reached a comforting hand out and rested it on Bailey’s arm. “Nate or I would like to stay with you for a few days. Another set of eyes can’t hurt, and having another person present might be enough to deter someone from bothering you again. If you’d be more comfortable with me staying, I’m happy to do that.” She motioned toward Nate. “But I’d prefer it if you let Nate be the one. He can bring Minnie with him, and she’ll let you guys know if anyone is snooping around.” She held up a hand to stop Bailey when she opened her mouth to object. “If they’re keeping an eye on you, it’d be good for them to see a man around, not to mention a Rottweiler. There’s no downside to this.”
Bailey looked from one of her friends to the other. “You’re serious.” They’d clearly discussed this, and from thedetermined look on Nate’s face, he agreed. She focused on him. “What about your job? You’ve got more important things to do than babysit us.”
A muscle in his jaw flexed as he leveled her with an intense look. “First of all, there isn’t much that’s more important than making sure my friend and her boys are safe.” He raised his eyebrows as though he dared her to contradict him. “Secondly, my boss has been on my case about taking some of my vacation time before I start losing it. I’ve got this entire week off.”
“I can’t let you spend your vacation here. There has got to be something else you’d rather be doing.” She spoke the words, but her conviction was wavering. It was clear her friends had already put their plan into motion, and they weren’t going to back down until she saw things their way.