Page 22 of Abandoned

The air-conditioning unit, the only item that was broken, had been yanked out of the now-closed window it resided in. That was the point of entry and exit.

A crime-scene unit came in and dusted for prints. Jocelyn Riley, the department’s forensic photographer, documented the break-in. But no distinct evidence was found to point to any suspects.

Wyatt leaned up against the counter. “Zara, has there been anyone you’ve arrested since you arrived in Hazel Hill that you think would have animosity toward you?”

She looked at Will and sighed before telling them about her run-in with Ernie this morning.

When she admitted the vulgar statement Ernie had made to her while he was in lockup, Will cringed.

By the time the detectives and CSU left, it was after one. While Will locked the front door behind them, Zara sat on the couch and dropped her head into her hands.

He joined her and rubbed her back. What could he do to fix this for her? He wished he knew.

The warmth of Will’s hand on Zara’s back brought immense comfort. But what would she do when he left? He wouldn’t stay the night. That would be asking too much, and she knew him better than that.

She couldn’t afford a hotel though, so she’d have to stay in her defiled home. By herself. Without air conditioning.

“Do you have somewhere you can stay tonight?”

He’d read her mind. “I’ll be fine here.”

“You are not staying here.”

“What choice do I have?”

“What about Jenna? I can call her. She was friends with one of my sisters, so we go way back.”

“I don’t know.”

He sank deeper into the couch and tugged her with him.

She curled into him, wishing they could stay like this for the whole night. She relaxed against him, willing the stress away, but allowing herself to let go of her tightly wound anxiety released a flood of emotions she wasn’t prepared for. She fought them, but it made her throat ache.

Why was this happening? Hadn’t she come to Hazel Hill to get a new start? To get away from the mess her dad had made? To be able to live a quiet life for once?

She just wanted answers. Maybe this was random and not targeted at her, but what if it was?

Her phone rang, and she jumped at the sudden sound.

“Who’s calling you at such an ungodly hour?”

“I have no idea.” Pushing off Will, she hopped up and retrieved her phone from the kitchen counter. “It’s AJ. Do you know her?”

Will let out a dry snort.

“Is that a yes?”

“We were in the same homeschool group as kids.”

“Don’t like her?”

“She’s fine. Answer it.”

Zara watched Will, hoping the answer to the unasked question could be read in his face. But there was nothing. She answered the phone. “Hello.”

“Zara! Are you okay? I heard on the scanner what happened.”

“Why are you listening to the scanner when you’re off duty?”