CHAPTER 24
Mina
The coffeeshop was a hive of activity when we arrived. Blue and red lights attached to two police cars bounced off the windows of the downtown shops as they blocked off the road out front. Luke parked several feet away, and we got out.
“Mina!”
At the sound of Claire’s voice, I tore my gaze away from my business and saw her jogging toward us, waving a hand.
“What happened?” I asked once she was close enough. “Did someone actually break in?”
“We only just got here, but the door was wide open.” She looked up at Luke. “I’m glad you’re here. They hit the café building too. Ozzie’s going to want you to walk through and check that none of your tools are missing.”
Luke’s face pinched. “Yeah, okay.”
“Can we go in?” My gaze darted toward the door and the cop standing just this side of the entryway.
“Not yet. Ozzie and the others need to clear the building and take some photographs for evidence. I tagged along to keep you company.”
“And to hold me back?” One corner of my mouth crooked as I sent Claire a side-eyed look.
She chuckled. “Maybe.”
“I’ll behave.” Crossing my arms, I huddled into myself and stared at the building façade. I might pace a little and get a bit antsy, but I’d stay put.
Luckily, Ozzie and his team didn’t take too long. Within twenty minutes, they were coming outside, and he was walking over to our little group.
I pounced as soon as he was within earshot. “Well? Is my coffeeshop destroyed?”
“No. Someone’s definitely been in there, but it doesn’t look like they did any real damage.” He motioned toward the building with a quick tip of his head. “Come take a look.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice. Immediately, I was on his heels, following him through the front door.
A gasp of dismay left me as soon as we stepped inside. Many of the chairs were on their sides and so were some of the tables.
“It’s nothing we can’t put to rights.” Claire laid a quick hand on my shoulder.
Taking it all in again, I nodded. “Yeah,” I breathed. She was right. Nothing was broken. Just turned over.
Ozzie led us behind the driftwood counter—my pride and joy—and paused.
“This is where things are weird,” he said.
I frowned. “How so?” A quick glance around the area showed nothing much out of place. The cabinet doors were open, and things pulled out, but like out front, I didn’t see any damage.
“The register is intact.” He pointed to the tablet screen and register drawer on the counter.
I felt Luke stiffen behind me and glanced back to see a hard glint in his eyes. My brows puckered as I tried to puzzle out why that would make him angry. Before I could figure it out, though, Ozzie answered the question.
“Your office is the same. They didn’t mess with your safe. I think whoever broke in was looking for something other than money.”
That only deepened my frown. “Like what? I don’t have anything of value here except cash and the machines.” I held out a hand toward my several-thousand-dollar espresso machines.
“Information.” Luke’s quiet voice floated over my head.
I turned to look at him with a quizzical frown. “Informa—oh.” That made sense. “About Moira.”
“Yes,” Ozzie said. “I think they hit the café site next door, then came over here when they didn’t find what they were looking for over there.”
