Page 55 of Wild Escape

"I'm surprised you got the job at Coconut Home Security," I said.

"Are you not comprehending what I said? I'm innocent. I was not convicted of that crime."

"I just find something odd about the whole thing."

His eyes narrowed with curiosity.

"Can you tell me where you were last night?”

"I was at home.”

"Alone?”

His jaw tightened, and he exhaled through his nose, knowing he didn't have an alibi. "My girlfriend is out of town right now."

"Nothing on the side?"

"No," he said, growing angry. "I don't lie, cheat, or steal."

"That's interesting, because over the last year, there have been six robberies at homes protected by Coconut Home Security. Homes that you have personally made service visits to.” I’d done my homework.

Wyatt swallowed hard. "Look, I wasn't anywhere near the Caldwell residence last night. If you think you've got something on me, arrest me. If you don't, you should get the hell out of here and let me do my job."

"I'm not sure Mrs. Williams is going to feel comfortable with you here after she finds out about your track record.”

"I don't have a track record.”

"You had every opportunity to disable the window sensor at the Caldwell residence.”

His face wrinkled. "That's ridiculous. I've been working at this company for five years. I love my job. I feel good knowing people can sleep easier at night because they're protected.”

It sounded like a line from the company brochure. I tried not to laugh.

"I'm not saying anything more to you without an attorney. I'd like you to leave now.”

"Would you tell Mrs. William’s we’d like to have a word with her before we go?”

Wyatt glared at me before spinning around and marching out of the foyer, into the living room. "Mrs. Williams, the deputies would like to have a word with you."

She’d been standing close by in the living room and had heard the entire conversation. Her skin was white as alabaster, and her eyes wide when she stepped into the foyer. She moved close to us and said in a hushed voice, "I don't want to be left in the house alone with that man. I think I'm going to cancel my service and go with another company."

We stuck around until Wyatt finished the job. He gave us a dirty look on the way out.

Mrs. Williams breathed a sigh of relief once he was gone. We watched through the window as he climbed into the van and drove away.

"Is he really a criminal?" she asked, trembling.

"He's a person of interest in an ongoing investigation," I said. "In the meantime, I would exercise caution."

"Well, I don't intend on ever allowing him in the house again.”

"That might be a smart move.”

I gave her a card and told her to get in touch if she had any questions.

We left and walked back to the Porsche.

“That guy might be my new favorite,” JD said in an optimistic voice.