“Are you all right, Annie? Had a call of a break-in.” He looked at me and then at the back door.
“I’m okay, but look at the deadbolt on the store’s door. I think someone tried to break in and maybe they did. I didn’t touch the doorknob. I got back in my car immediately and called 9-1-1.” I clutched Yummy’s carrier close to my chest.
Bill pulled on a pair of plastic gloves and looked at the door. “Looks as if someone tried to pick the lock. I doubt they could, but I’ll call in to have someone dust for prints. Have you checked your front door?”
I shook my head.
Bill said, “Hand me your keys. I’m going to open the front door if it looks untouched, and check out the store.” I nodded at Bill and handed him my keys.
All the stores that fronted Main Street shared an alley/parking area. Many of them were watching me from behind their stores. Lou, from the diner, walked over to see if I was okay.
He said, “I can’t remember the last break-in around here. Tell the officer I’ll be in the diner if he needs to ask me anything. I got here around five this morning, and it was quiet as usual.” He waved as he walked back toward the diner. I turned when I heard boots clapping against the blacktop as if someone was running toward me. It was Clark.
“Are you okay?” He asked. I collapsed against him fighting tears I felt forming. I rattled off everything that was going on and that Bill and Georgie think I have an enemy, and it all started when I got Yummy.
His eyebrows scrunched, and he tapped his lips with his index finger. “If it started when you inherited Yummy, it could have something to do with Inga’s death. You need to be careful. That lock looks old. I bet the one on the front door is just as old. When the police finish, I’ll replace them. We have new locks at the store that are supposed to be harder to pick than average deadbolts.”
I was about to thank him when another police car pulled up, and Officer Bill opened my back door. He spoke to the second officer who was going to check the doorknob for prints and asked me to follow him into the store to see if an intruder took anything. I handed Yummy’s carrier to Clark and followed Bill into the store.
Nothing was out of place, and I know the cash register is empty since I dropped off a deposit after I closed Saturday. Since I own the store, I don’t keep a petty cash box. If I need something, I take it from the register and leave a note to myself. My office appeared untouched.
Bill said the other officer would dust for prints inside in obvious places, but he doubted anyone gained access through the back door.
We walked out the back door into the alley when my cell rang. It was Aunt Irene. I felt my breath catch in my throat. “Go in your house and lock the door. I’m coming home now.”
Bill and Clark both asked, “What’s wrong?”
“That was Aunt Irene. She heard glass break and a car roar off. Someone threw a rock through my front door window. She said there is also a note on my door, but she hurried home before she read it.”
Bill said, “Okay, I’m leaving. Get there as fast as you safely can.” He hopped into his car, and siren blaring sped out of the parking lot.
Clark was going to say something when I called out, “Take care of Yummy. I’ll call you as soon as I can.” I followed Bill as quickly as was safe.
#######
When I pulled up in front of my house, I parked behind Bill’s cruiser. Bill and Aunt Irene stood on the front walk staring at my door and deep in conversation. Aunt Irene smiled when she saw me, but I saw concern in her eyes.
As I approached, I saw the storm door broken in pieces, and a medium size rock lay on the front porch. I breathed a sigh of relief that I had opted for a solid wood inside door over the more modern with etched glass panels. Who knows what else they might have damaged?
Who were “they.” Good question. Someone hates me.
I sighed and said, “It could be worse. Most likely some kid.” I desperately wanted to believe it since the idea of a real enemy scared me beyond words.
I turned when I heard a siren. “Is that for me?”
Bill nodded.
I felt my eyes widen and asked, “Why? It’s just a broken door isn’t it?”
Aunt Irene’s eyes filled with tears, and she stammered, “Someone wants you to die, Annie.” She covered her face with her hands and turned away.
My eyes shot to Bill. “What is going on?”
The second officer ran up and asked, “Where is the threat? The Chief is on his way.”
“Threat, Chief?” I yelled; I think. “This is my house. What is going on?”
Bill told me to be careful of the broken glass and led me closer to the door. Taped to the side of the doorframe was a note written in red ink. I don’t know why I didn’t see it sooner.
It read: “DIE ANNIE RYAN—SOON!”
I felt my knees buckle, and Bill caught my elbow. He walked me to my front porch swing, and I sat down. I dropped my head in my hands and let the tears fall. Aunt Irene was right. Someone wanted me dead. Bill and Georgie were right. I had an enemy, a deadly enemy, but why?
The mail carrier walked across the grass to hand me the mail. “Looks like you had trouble, sorry Annie. You okay?”
“Yeah, Meg, I’ll be fine. Thanks. Vandals, kids, who knows. Must be spring fever gone haywire.” I tried to smile.
Meg waved as she began to walk away.
