Page 36

We can hear Minna howling and the distinctive yowling of cats as we approach her apartment.

Cordelya walks faster, practically dragging me along.

Dale is waiting for us when we reach her open front door.

“Ms. Holland. I’m so sorry,” he says in a flustered rush. “This is a rarity in Ravens Hollow.”

Cordelya squeezes my hand roughly.

She’s scared.

I fucking hate it.

I hate that someone did this.

I hate that she’s going to be looking over her shoulder even more.

I hate that someone has made her feel unsafe again.

I. Fucking. Hate. This.

“Dale,” I say firmly, drawing his attention to me, “Cordelya said the police were here, and she needed to do a walk-through for damage?”

“Hi, Augustus. Yes. Officer Burrow is at the building next door taking statements from the tenants whose apartment was broken into there. He said he’d be back in a few minutes. I’ve been trying to calm the animals.” He looks over his shoulder then back to us. “Clearly I failed.”

I shoot Dale a sympathetic smile before tugging Cordelya inside.

The moment we walk in, Cordelya gasps.

My stomach drops.

Someone tore through this place.

Couch cushions are thrown all over the floor. The glass in the back door is broken. Drawers in the kitchen hang half off their tracks.

Minna howls and begins to scratch violently in her kennel.

Cordelya rushes over and opens the door, allowing the big dog to launch into her arms. I move quickly and steady her so she doesn’t fall.

“I’ve got you, Moonlight,” I say softly.

Minna wedges herself between Cordelya and me, allowing us both to vigorously pet her.

As we begin to walk through the apartment, Cordelya picks up Buster, and the fluffy bunny wiggles nervously in her arms.

Her eyes sweep over the room, looking but not seeing the chaos in front of her.

“Do you see anything missing?” I ask gently.

She hands me Buster so she can look through a few of the open drawers in the bedroom. Jesse and Cleo make an appearance, popping out from the bathroom and curling around Cordelya’s legs.

“My suitcase is gone,” she says, peering in the closet. “It doesn’t look like any clothes, but I won’t know until I hang them back up,” she mumbles, heading into the bathroom.

I hear her groan and rush in after her.

“Jackasses took my good makeup. Not like I wear a lot, but that was my splurge when I got my first paycheck.” When she looks at me, I can see the tears gathering in her eyes.

I shift Buster and wrap my free arm around her. Her body sags into me as the weight of the situation threatens to drag her down.