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She pointed at the window. There was spray paint covering it.
“When did this happen? It wasn’t there this morning.”
A flash of guilt crossed Kayla’s face. “I ate lunch in the back, and when I returned to the front, it was here.”
I didn’t like that whoever had done it covered the whole window, and in broad daylight. He was getting braver.
I wrapped my arms around my middle. “Did anyone see anything?”
“I asked around, but no one saw anything.”
Hailey touched my shoulder. “I don’t like this.”
I held myself tighter. “Neither do I.”
“Is it just kids having a good time?” I asked hopefully.
Hailey’s nose scrunched. “During the day? I don’t think so. This kind of stuff usually happens at night.”
“I need to clean this up.” Why was this person targeting me? Yeah, whoever it was had been to Hailey’s store and maybe even Max’s, but it was twice now that someone had been at my store.
“I called the police. You should file a report first.”
I needed to do something. I couldn’t just sit here and stare at the graffiti. I moved inside, grabbing a bucket and sponges from the back, and filled it with water and soap.
Feeling drained and suddenly exhausted, I rested a hip against the industrial sink in the back.
“You okay?” A hand landed on my back
Recognizing Colton’s soothing voice, I moved so my forehead rested on his chest. Soaking in his comforting presence, I wrapped my arms around him, sinking into his embrace.
I nodded against his chest, and his arms tightened around me.
“We’ll find out who did this.”
In the grand scheme of things, this wasn’t a big deal. There were more important cases, but I liked that Colton was so adamant about solving it.
It made me feel cared for and protected. All things that I craved after not having it for so long in my childhood.
I looked up at him. “Are they targeting me?”
He rubbed his thumb over my cheek. “I hope not.”
The unspoken words were It sure looks like it. I barely suppressed the shiver that ran down my spine.
“You need to fill out an official report.”
I pulled my head back to see his face. “Is it a waste of your time? Will anyone even investigate?”
His expression was pensive. “On its own, probably not, but there’s been a string of disturbances the chief thinks are related.”
That didn’t make me feel any better.
“Come on.”
I let him lead me back to the front where another officer was waiting with questions. I appreciated that Colton didn’t ask them. I didn’t want to hurt the investigation if someone found out we were involved.
When Dexter, Colton’s partner, finished his questions, I went to grab the bucket and sponges. Kayla could manage the front counter while I got rid of the paint.
