Page 58 of Sleigh My Heart

“You seem to be spending a lot of time around the mall these days.” Junior leaned on a shovel as Michelle passed the center corridor.

“It is the shopping season, after all.” That reminded her, she still had a few gifts to pick up.

“Any luck on that sleigh?” He moved closer. His expression guarded. “I know my father is sweating bullets. Jolley, too.”

“I’m working on it.” No need to let him know that Nick was as well. “Have you heard anything from Cliff Garmen yet?”

“Nope.” He scooped some snow for good measure, but he didn’t seem in a rush to clear the fresh accumulation.

Michelle dropped her gaze to his hands. No paint on the gloves. Not that it meant he didn’t do it. Was he petty enough to vandalize her house? Yes, but why now?

She’d checked his records after running into him the other day. He’d been out of prison for over a year, kept his parole officer appointments. Not even a parking ticket. Sure, he’d given her attitude, but she had been in his office without an appointment.

“Do you have regular day shift hours?” She watched him for any signs of deception.

He scowled.

Just when she started to wonder if he’d answer, he dropped his stare and went back to shoveling as he spoke. “Mostly, but from Halloween to New Year’s, we all have overtime.”

“How late do you work?”

He stopped and squinted at her. “What are you getting at? Just spit it out.”

“Where were you the night before last?”

“I worked until ten, then I swung by Trudy’s.”

“Can anyone corroborate that?”

“Trudy. Before, I was on the clock. People were around, but they don’t notice maintenance people. It’s like we don’t exist.”

He had a point. She made a mental note to have Nick check the cameras. “Cops have the opposite problem. Everyone sees us.”

He cracked a smile. “Not always, or we wouldn’t ever get caught.”

“Good point.” She nodded her goodbye and continued down the corridor to Nick’s office.

She rapped on the door then pushed it open.

“Good morning,” Nick’s rumble touched deep.

Her stride stammered. Yes, she vowed to herself, it wouldn’t be awkward when she saw him today. But she hadn’t counted on her heart tripping at the sight of him. All the yummy details of last night rushed back to her.

“Hello.” Was that breathy sound from her?

A sneaky smile flashed on his handsome face.

Crap. It was. She cleared her throat. Don’t engage. Focus on work. “Could I see the video from two nights ago?”

“Sure. Did you find something?” He sat up straighter as he clicked the keys on his keyboard.

“It might be nothing, but I want to check Junior’s activity.”

“You think he might be the vandal?”

“I’m not sure. I just need to dot my ‘Is’ and cross my ‘Ts.’”

“What time would you like to start with?”