***
“So you didn’t actually see anyone leaving the yard?”
“No, not exactly. I saw a shadow, and some movement, but no, I can’t say for sure if it was a man or not.”
“Why do you refer to the alleged as a man?”
“How many women do you know that lurk about and try to break into houses in the night?”
“You would be surprised, ma’am,” Officer Jones informed me. I disliked him instantly and I was pretty sure the feeling was mutual. He had a cocky air about him that I didn’t find one bit appealing. Or reassuring. I got the impression that we were little more than a case number to him. It was a lot like talking to one of those automated phone systems you had to wade through in order to get a live person.
“Is there anyone you know who would be angry with you, or want to hurt you or your family?”
“Yes.” I sighed.
“Yes?”
“Unfortunately, several people come to mind.”
“Old boyfriends? Co-workers?”
“No. Old bosses. You must be new.” I rubbed my eyes. “Last year, my house was turned into a stake out location. My old boss, John Hanlen, paid men to hide out here and wait for me.”
“Why were they waiting for you, ma’am? Did you call the police?”
“They were probably waiting to kill me. And no, I didn’t call the police. I dropped off anonymous evidence of my boss’s money laundering at a police station and went into hiding.”
“And you did this anonymously, you say?” He looked skeptical.
“Yes, I was scared at the time.”
“What’s changed?”
“He’s in jail now.”
“How do you know there were men in your home, Ms. Roberts?”
“Because your boys found one of them laying in my backyard. Looked like they had turned on each other, or a third party had attacked them. I really don’t know what happened. The police never said.”
“So what you’re saying is you have enemies.”
I didn’t like the way he said it, like it was my fault. “No more than most people, I suspect. But I haven’t had any trouble since John was arrested. Until now.”
“Any other incidents you want to tell me about?”
“No. Nothing else has happened before tonight.”
“Thank you, ma’am. We will call you if we have any more questions. If you have any further trouble, don’t hesitate to call again.”
“What about the prints on the window, Officer?”
“Don’t worry, we’ve already had them lifted. They’ll be analyzed by a lab technician. It could take up to a week. But hopefully we can get a positive I.D. on the set. It’s a good set of prints. It all depends on the alleged being in the data base currently.”
“You mean if he has a prior criminal record.”
“Or if he—or she—holds a government job. But I have to warn you, no break in has occurred, and none of your property was stolen or damaged…although the scratches on your window frame could potentially fall into the category of vandalism.”
“I understand. Thank you for coming out to take the statement, Officer Jones.”
“Lock your doors and keep your cell phone handy. We will be in touch.”
I did as he suggested and locked the door behind him, setting the alarm for good measure.
“Mike, did you get all of that?”
“Yes. How do you feel?”
“Exhausted. It’s after midnight and Ashley has school tomorrow.”
“Go to bed, Claire. I’ll stay up for a while.”
“Sounds like a plan. Set the alarm before you leave, please.”
“No way. I’m staying the night. I’ll sleep on the couch.” He stretched out on my sofa and tucked an arm beneath his head.
“If you think it’s necessary.” I smiled. My brother, the guardian.
“I’ll feel better if I stay here, yes. Now go get some sleep.”
“Goodnight, Mike.” I padded down the hall and made quick work of my bedtime routine, changing clothes and washing my face in less than three minutes, secretly grateful that he had insisted on spending the night. I checked on Ashley one final time before climbing into bed. It was a miracle that she had slept through the turmoil of the evening.
“Just a kid playing a prank,” I mumbled, wrapping the thick comforter snugly around myself. Too bad I didn’t really believe it.