“Did he threaten you, Maverick, or MJ?”
“Not directly. More like implied threats. Like ‘someone’ would have poisoned the dog, that I’d ‘better leave,’ and how after I leave, he’ll make a move on MJ.”
“It’s not enough to let me pick him up. Keep your eyes open.”
“I will. We put in a security system at MJ’s house, including cameras that cover the yard. If he shows up, we’ll get him on camera.”
“That’ll help. Keep me informed. Don’t let him get to you.”
“I won’t.”
He ended the call, still feeling vaguely uncomfortable. He wouldn’t let Kent Barnard get to him, but he also wouldn’t stand by and let MJ and Maverick get hurt. Letting out a deep sigh, he headed off to take a shower. Much as he looked forward to the PTSD Support Group, he hated to leave MJ alone tonight.
***
The day at the library had been busier than usual. Besides the Children’s Story Hour MJ did every Tuesday morning for preschoolers, school children of all ages came in as soon as school let out. The younger kids looked for books to read for their book reports, and teens came in to do the step-by-step research papers teachers assigned every year. Even though the schools provided tablets for the students, not everybody had internet service, which meant they still used the library to gather information and connect online.
She scrambled to help the teens learn how to use the computerized card catalogue in order to find books about their topic, and she questioned the younger children to help them find books they’d enjoy.
As exhausting as it was, this was exactly why she’d become a librarian. She yearned to share her love for books with others, especially kids. Plus, she loved to teach them about all the resources that libraries could provide, both online and off. When she’d been a kid growing up in Ridgeview, the head librarian, Miss Tower, had introduced her to a world that had changed her life forever. Libraries were different now and contained a mixture of technology and books. To her, though, the Ridgeview Public Library was still a magical place.
She hated to throw kids out at five o’clock, but she had to close up and get home before Rob left to go to his support group. “C’mon. You have five minutes to get finished and check out any books you want before we close.”
A few groans met her announcement, and in a flurry of activity, kids selected the books they wanted. She hurried back to the front desk and worked her way through their choices to check them out.
“These are due back in two weeks,” she said repeatedly as she shoved each pile of books across the counter.
“I didn’t have time to find everything,” one teenaged girl complained as she checked out two books.
“Then come back tomorrow after school, and I’ll help you find the rest.”
“Thanks, ma’am.”
Kids calling her “ma’am” was hard to get used to, but she was grateful that Ridgeview kids were polite and treated her with respect.
She finally ushered out the stragglers a few minutes after five and locked the door with a sigh. She needed to clean the tables where discarded books sat scattered. She hurried around and gathered the books and periodicals, stashing them onto rolling book carts. She’d put them back on the shelves first thing tomorrow.
Grabbing her purse, she locked the front doors behind her and headed to her car, which she’d parked in the back row of the library’s lot. As she walked toward it, something about her car struck her as strange. It listed to one side as if parked on a hill. She peered at it in the growing dusk. Damn, her back driver’s side tire was flat. She looked closer. No, both left side tires were flat. One might have been an accident, but two flat tires definitely weren’t. She rounded the right side, relieved to see both tires looked all right. She pulled out her phone to call her brother.
“Hey, Nick. I need your help. I’m at the library, and I came out to find both left-side tires flat. Can you come over with your portable air tank and fill them up again?”
“Sure. Did somebody tamper with them?”
“I can’t tell. It’s too dark.”
“Go inside. I’ll close up and be over shortly.”
“Thanks.” She disconnected and stuffed her phone into her purse. Walking up the library steps, she shivered as the wind cut through her light jacket.
When she got inside, she turned on a few lights, and then sat down at her desk behind the front counter. She’d better call Rob and let him know she’d be late.
“Hey, Rob, it’s me. I’m still at the library. I’ve got two flat tires, so I called Nick to come and fix them.”
“I could have come, sweetheart.”
“I know, but you have group tonight, and Nick’s got an air tank.”
“Okay. I’ll see you when I get home tonight. Are you inside?”
“Yes, I’m in the library.”
“Lock the door. I don’t want to worry you, but I saw Kent Barnard today at the park, and he made some comments about you.”
“Ew. Now I have to boil my brain. The thought of him trying anything with me makes my skin crawl.”
“You and me both. I’ll set the alarm when I leave. Be sure you set it once you’re inside.”
“I will. Good luck tonight.”
“Thanks. I should be home by ten at the latest.”
“Be safe. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She saw a figure approach the front door, and her heart beat faster until she recognized her brother’s face pressed up against the glass.
She hurried over to open the door. “You scared me!”
“Sorry. I’ve looked at the tires, and someone sliced them. Any idea who might
