But ahead of time, they buckle down. They plan and prepare. And when they plan for a home robbery, preparation involves knowing the routines of the people in the house and watching the property for reliable patterns of inhabitants.
That means they notice that the house stays completely quiet and dark most of the time, then there’s suddenly a burst of lights more likely to cause a bout of ghost hysteria than it is to frighten would-be robbers. Consistency and continuity are critical to making these subterfuges effective. But fortunately, Janet and Paul aren’t overly concerned about a break-in.
For the most part, Sherwood is quiet, with very little crime. Making my presence known at the neighbors’ house is not so much about stopping a potential break in as it is discouraging petty vandalism or other minor things like the teenagers running around messing up cars. If they felt as if any second I could wander over to water a fern, they would be less likely to hang around.
I call Sam as I pull out of the driveway and start for the diner. He doesn’t answer, so I leave him a voicemail.
“Hey, honey. I just wanted to see if you had some time to get away for lunch. I’m heading up to the diner now. Meet me if you get this. Love you.”
I get to the diner and slip into our favorite booth. Pearl comes by and I grin at her.
“Hi,” I say. “I haven’t seen you around here in a while. I thought you were trying to ease yourself into retirement.”
The older woman scoffs and swipes her hand through the air dismissively. “That’s all just my grandson talking. What would I be doing with myself if I didn’t have this place? Am I supposed to sit around in a rocking chair and knit some socks? I would go out of my mind. But I have been taking a little bit of extra time off here and there to do some traveling.”
“That sounds nice,” I say.
“How about you? What’s this I hear about you and our Sheriff planning to get married?” she asks.
I nod. “That’s right.”
“Well, it certainly took you long enough. All of us have been waiting around since you showed up back here in town.” She looks at my hand. “Where’s your ring? Things aren’t already on the outs, are they? Now, honey, I know it might be tempting, but don’t use your future together as a weapon. You can’t just take your ring on and off to make a point.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s not like that. I just don’t have a ring yet. It was kind of a spontaneous decision.”
I spare her the details and before she can ask anything else, she glances over toward the door.
“Well, would you look at that. Your knight in shining armor in the flesh. I’m going to get you two some coffee. Want to look at a menu?” she asks. “We have a couple of extra lunch specials today.”
“Yes, please,” I tell her.
“Hey there, Pearl,” Sam smiles as he approaches the table.
“Hi, Sheriff,” she says and heads for the kitchen.
Sam kisses me as I laugh and shake my head.
“What’s that all about?” he asks.
“Just Pearl being Pearl,” I comment. “It’s good to see that she’s gotten her sass back. I have to admit I was worried there for a little bit that she might never recover from that whole food poisoning situation.”
A couple of years ago, a woman decided to make my life hell and discredit me. She was reeling from her boyfriend still being in prison, where he was tossed after my first case with the Bureau. Her campaign of terror included gaslighting me by making me believe I’d not only had a neighbor move in across the street, but that I witnessed her murder. No one was hurt during that charade, but a college-aged girl died here at Pearl’s after being thrown purposely into anaphylactic shock by food laced with hazelnuts.
The entire incident was extremely hard on Pearl, who had to not only face public scrutiny and the possibility that the diner she loved would be shut down, but later her grandson’s unwitting involvement.
It’s good to see her recovering and going back to the woman I’ve always known. It helps as a reminder that time can move on. You don’t forget or pretend terrible things didn’t happen. But you’ve learned to pick them up and carry them with you as you move ahead.
“I ran into Henrietta,” Sam starts.
“You did?” I ask. “Where?”
“It seems you and I had the same idea,” he tells me. “I was actually on my way home when you called to tell me you were coming up to the diner. I was already almost at the house, so I stopped by for a minute and she came to the door. She gave me this for you. There was also a package, but I left that at the house.”
He pulls a blue envelope out of his pocket and hands it across the table to me. It looks very much like the red one I got before Thanksgiving. Another address label affixed to the front has my name and address, and another sticker sealing the envelope leaves a hint of glitter on my fingertips.
I open the envelope and pull out another card. This one is a plate of cookies and glass of milk. It makes my breath catch a little in my chest. Inside, the inscription is simpler, but more chilling.
“Better be ready. Almost time.”
The words are written in a less elaborate, but still affected handwriting, like someone trying to mimic a computer font.
There’s an empty space, and then where there should be a signature, another message, this one written in a more natural hand.
“Remember me”
I hand the card over to Sam and let out a breath. Pearl comes by and sets our coffee in front of us. She gives me a questioning look.
“You alright, honey?”
I force a smile and nod. “I’m fine. Just
