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“I’m hanging up now.”
A chuckle came over the line. “Message received.” Then he grew more serious. “Listen, if you need a small loan to help with the car repairs, I have a few bucks stashed for emergencies. I know you didn’t make a fortune in Idaho.”
Pressure built behind her eyes, and she blinked to clear her vision. She and Jack and Cara might not be related by blood, but the bond of heartstrings could be just as strong.
“I’ll be fine. But I appreciate the offer. Love you, Jack.”
“Mutual, I’m sure.” Naturally he’d counter with another line fromWhite Christmas. “Hang in there, okay?”
“You got it.”
As she ended the call, Bri rejoined Marc. “Sorry to delay you. I have an overprotective brother, and it doesn’t help that he’s a homicide detective.”
Marc’s eyebrows peaked. “With County?”
“Yes.”
“Does law enforcement run in your family?”
“Hardly. My sister’s a college professor specializing in historical anthropology, Mom was a homemaker who worked part-time at a floral shop, and Dad was an accountant. My brother and I were the outliers.” Enough about that. “I don’t want to keep you. I should be good to go now.”
“Before you take off, why don’t you start the car and drive up and down the street once to make certain there’s no mechanical damage? I’ll wait.”
Not a bad idea.
“Let me get my stuff.”
She detoured to the garage for her purse, tote bag, and laptop, stowed them in the car, and slid behind the wheel. As she backed down the driveway, Marc followed along and waited by his car.
A quick cruise up and down the street confirmed his assessment. No mechanical issues.
She pulled up beside him and lowered her window as he leaned down. “I owe you for this.”
“Happy to help. Send me the list of jurisdictions once you have it together.”
“Later today, I hope. Unless another case lands on my desk.”
“I’ll watch for it. Be careful.”
Same instruction her brother had given her.
“I will. Did you notice anything suspicious while you were taking photos of the branch?”
“No, and it’s usually not difficult to spot a man-made cut in a tree. Handsaws leave marks.”
“Maybe you’re looking for something that’s not there.” She hoped.
“Could be, but I don’t like the timing.”
Neither did she.
“If either of these incidents was deliberate, though, there doesn’t seem to have been any intent to hurt me.”
“Let’s hope that doesn’t change.” He backed off after delivering that unsettling comment. “Talk to you soon.”
She offered him a wave, rolled up her window, and drove away.
Yet when she checked her rearview mirror, Marc remained by his car, hands in pockets, watching her.
