Cheryl’s eyes sparkled in the dim light. I’d yet to flip the switch that would bathe the shop in light, but I could still see her mind racing, trying to figure out what I was thinking. “Well, I guess I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Do you know if Mr. Thomas is in his shop? He bought my best package last week, and I’d love to stop in and deliver a gift basket I have waiting in the car.”
I craned my neck to the right, toward Antiques by Thomas. “Looks like he’s locked up, too. Maybe you should come back midday. I’m sure you’ll find him then.”
I closed the door, not waiting for Cheryl’s reply, and then flipped the locks. I watched as she walked down the street toward Josh’s antique shop. Maybe I should call and warn him?
Then I remembered Greg’s instructions. I found my cell, dialed Toby’s cell, and repeated Greg’s message.
“It’s okay, Jill, I’ll keep him safe.” Toby didn’t say good-bye, he just ended the call. But he’d known what I needed to hear. I said a short prayer for both of them and went to the bar to make a pot of coffee. Once they cleared the area, Toby and Greg would come to the shop and I’d probably get another ride in the back of the squad car. Although this time, I don’t think I’d worry so much about my accommodations.
An hour later, Greg knocked on the door, and I jumped up from the couch to let him in. Toby followed right behind him. As he walked into the shop, I grabbed Greg and squeezed him, not worried about what anyone thought. Besides, only Toby could see me.
“It’s okay, honey.” He sniffed the air. “Great, you made coffee. I could use a cup.”
Toby walked around us. “I’ll pour us both a mug. Black?”
Greg turned me and led me to the counter. “Perfect.”
I went back over to the couch and got my own cup for a refill. The pause gave me time to breathe and choke down the worry that had flowed out as soon as I heard Greg’s knock. “So what happened?”
Greg waited for me to return to the counter and sit on a stool and for Toby to finish pouring the coffee and join us. “False alarm. There were lights on that shouldn’t have been, so the place looked off. But the doors were locked, and when the new manager came, she said everything looked fine. She’s doing a deeper look around tomorrow before they open.”
“They need a real security system. That thing Kent bought is a joke,” Toby growled. “You know he got a kickback from his ex for buying that piece of crap.”
“The bank has a new system scheduled to go up in two weeks. I guess it takes some time to get all the paperwork cleared through the corporate world.” Greg touched my cheek. “Cheer up, we’ll actually be able to eat a full dinner without being called out to the bank for one of their glitches by the end of the month.”
I rolled my neck, trying to release some of the tension. “Kent’s dead and he’s still messing with South Cove.”
“Have you contacted a security service yet?” Greg sipped his coffee. “With all the stuff happening lately, I’d feel better knowing you were wired up here.”
“Funny you should bring that up. Cheryl Paine greeted me at the door a few minutes ago wanting to know if I’d made a decision.” I pushed away my full cup. My hands were still shaking from the shock she’d given me. “I’m surprised you didn’t hear my scream at the bank.”
“Why were you screaming?” Toby leaned on the counter, watching me. “And why didn’t you tell me this when you called?”
I held my hand up to stop the lecture I knew was coming in stereo. “She was visiting the shops where she’d dropped off materials earlier this week.”
Greg glanced at his watch. “At ten at night?”
“It was just past nine. Besides, I sent her packing.” I tried to change the focus of the conversation. “Antiques by Thomas signed with Stay Safe Security.” I watched the look pass between the two men. “Apparently Toby thinks I should buy my security services from a company based locally instead.”
“I agree with Toby.” Greg set his cup down.
I considered the two men. “You’re not going to tell me what’s really bothering you about Cheryl Paine and her company, are you?”
“Isn’t it enough that we’re telling you not to use them?” Toby filled a to-go cup with coffee and grabbed a few oatmeal cookies in a napkin. “I’ve got to go back to the station and write up the report. See you guys tomorrow.”
I went behind the counter and emptied the pot of coffee into two more cups, then put lids on them before setting them in front of Greg. “You want a cookie, too?”
He shook his head, finishing the rest of the coffee in his cup. “I’m good. Let’s get you home, then I’m crashing in my office for a few hours. I’ve got an early meeting.”
I locked up the shop and we walked toward the end of town. This time, I felt more unease as I walked through the deserted town. As we approached City Hall, a car sped by on its way out of town.
“Did you see that plate?” Greg asked, pulling out the notebook he carried everywhere.
I stuttered, “No, I mean, I wasn’t really looking.”
I felt his hand on my back. “It wasn’t a test.” He jotted something down and closed his notebook.
At the front porch, he hesitated as I opened the door. “You coming in?”