“WhatdidTomsay?” My words rushed together.
Ray interpreted the gibberish. “Joe wanted me to call Tom since Oscar’s box was taken. Tom can call the FBI or whoever he wants. We’ll wait here, so we don’t disturb the scene and just in case someone is still inside.”
Ray patted my shoulder. “He’s probably long gone.”
I let go of his shirt and smoothed the wrinkled material. “This guy knows where I live.”
Ray side-hugged me. “It’s gonna be okay.”
I doubted that. The condo in Maui sounded like a really good idea.
Tom arrived with the entire on-duty sheriff’s department. Three cars parked in my driveway and the officers spent thirty minutes inside the house before Tom joined us on the front porch.
“Charlie, walk through the house with me and see if anything else is missing.” Tom ushered me through the front door. The dust bunnies had gathered in their usual spots and I wished they were vocal witnesses. The family room looked the same with the exception of the broken glass. I headed to the bedroom and flipped open the lid of my jewelry box.
“Anything missing?” Ray asked.
I pawed through the necklaces and checked for the matching earrings. “No.”
Ray peered over my shoulder. “Any of those real?” He tilted his chin to the emeralds, rubies, pearls, and sapphires Joe had given me over the decades.
I closed the lid. “Yeah.”
Ray stepped back and scratched his chin. “Okay, so a professional thief breaks in but doesn’t steal valuables, just Oscar’s box of birthday cards.”
Tom stuffed a small notebook into his chest pocket. “I guess so. Seems like he was searching for Oscar’s things only.”
Ray nodded. “Maybe you should check on the cabin.”
“Kennedy.” Tom called out to an officer and left us in the bedroom.
“I’ll go with them to the cabin since I was there last with the FBI.” He pointed to my jewelry box. “And maybe lock those up somewhere else.”
I followed Ray out to the foyer.
Tom pointed to Kennedy. “He’s gonna check on the cabin. Do you have some wood or something that we can put over your door?”
“I’ll call someone.” I called Eddie, the EMT who went to our church and also ran a handy-man business on the side. I took pictures of the door for the house insurance claim.
Joe called me. “I’m leaving work now. You want me to pick something up for dinner or go out?”
“I called Eddie, and he said he’d come by and cover the sliding glass door tonight. He thinks he can install a new door this week.” I opened the fridge and stared at the contents. “How about bacon and eggs for dinner?”
“Sounds great. I’ll be there in ten.” Joe ended the call.
Ray waited for me in the kitchen. “I’m gonna head out with Kennedy. Tom will stay here until Joe gets home. Is that okay?” His warm brown eyes searched mine for the answer.
No, but I’d be an adult about it. I ignored the hollow feeling. “Sounds great. Thanks for being here.”
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t get mushy on me.” He turned and lumbered out of the kitchen.
That was mushy? Wait ‘til Christmas… I wasn’t alone. Tom futzed about the living room. “Want some coffee, Tom?” I called out. “Or iced-tea?”
He sauntered into the kitchen. “No, thank you. I’m going to walk around outside, see if I can find any more footprints.”
I wanted to change out of my scrubs, but the idea of getting undressed, even with the Sheriff’s Department surrounding my house, made me feel too vulnerable. I poured myself an iced-tea and caught sight of Agent Simms wearing jeans and a button-down shirt in my backyard with Tom.
She knocked and then stepped through the broken sliding door. “Hello, Mrs. Sanders.”
I shook her offered hand, it felt warm against my cold skin. “It’s Charlie. Can I get you something to drink? Iced tea, coffee?”
“No, thank you.” She stood with perfect posture and a friendly smile on her face.
“I know you can’t go into the investigation about the adoptions, but my brake lines were cut and now my house was broken into and only Oscar’s box was taken. All that was left in there were cards. I thought you said this guy most likely moved on?” I didn’t whine, but I wasn’t above guilting her for more information.
Lines around her eyes deepened. “I thought he would. He must be looking for something he thinks Oscar had. Maybe proof that ties him to the kidnappings. Can you think of what that might be?”
“I wish I did. But back to the guy trying to kill me. How worried should I be on the annoyed to dead scale?”
Simms propped her hands on her hips, one rested over her gun. She shifted into her professional cop-mode. “I’d put it at a five. Be aware of your surroundings, but at the same time, don’t stop living your life. The guys involved are connected.”
“The guys?” Joe said from the garage doorway.
I yelped at his sudden appearance. My iced tea splashed over my hand and onto the floor.
Joe grabbed a kitchen towel, crossed the room and hugged me.
I dried my hand and dropped the towel, using my foot to wipe up the spill. I wasn’t going to let go of Joe.
Simms waited until Joe’s grip lessened, and then shook his hand. “It’s organized crime. They could have hired some local guy to scare Charlie.”
Organized crime. Human trafficking.
My stomach slid and puddled on the floor, taking my bones with it. “In Forest Forks?” My voice was hushed, masking the panic and disbelief.
“It’s everywhere. But yeah, somehow Tyler got in with some really bad people,” Simms said.
“What if his contact was a past associate? Like someone he worked on a case with and after his divorce the guy knew Tyler was ripe for the scam?” Joe spoke evenly.
Simms eyes flared like he’d hit a sore spot.
She stepped back. “We’re looking through Tyler’s past, and you need to trust us that we’ll find who his associate was.
