“How does he even know that?” I mumble.
I type back while leaning against the bathroom counter.
Me: This level of surveillance feels invasive.
Alexei: Correct.
I nearly choke on my own laugh.
Oh, for heaven’s sake.
My phone rings before I can answer Alexei.
Mama.
I swipe to answer while walking into the kitchen. “Mornin’.”
“Maggie Mae, don’t panic.”
Every muscle in my body goes rigid instantly. I stop beside the counter. “What happened?”
“Baby, I’m alright.”
That makes it worse. Her voice sounds off. She’s not crying or hysterical, just strained in that way when she’s trying not to upset me.
“Mama.”
She exhales quietly through the phone. “Somebody broke into my car.”
A chill wraps around me.
“When? What happened?”
“It was either last night or earlier this morning. The driver-side window’s busted out. I saw it as I was headed out to work.”
I hear movement in the background, then her voice lowers a little. “The police already came by. They’re sayin’ it was probably random.”
Probably.
I grip the edge of the counter. “What did they take?”
“My glove compartment was open, and my registration papers got tossed everywhere. They even pulled napkins and receipts outta the center console.”
My stomach twists. “That’s not random.”
“Maggie—”
“No, Mama, that’s weird.”
“I know it’s weird.” She tries to laugh lightly but fear still clings beneath it. “Maybe somebody was lookin’ for money or medication or somethin’.”
The uneasy feeling crawling beneath my skin grows worse. “Did you see anybody around the house?”
“No, honey.”
I press my hand against my forehead and close my eyes. “I’m comin’ over.”
“You don’t need to rush down here.”
