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"You can come into my place," Kade said. He turned to the police officer. "I live downstairs. Was that unit broken into?"
"We didn't go in there," the officer replied. "The doors were locked."
"Well, that's a good sign." Kade looked at me. "Do you want to wait inside my place?"
"Sure," I said. "Dani?" I questioned as she took her ringing phone out of her purse.
"It's Steve," she said. "I'll be inside in a minute."
"Okay." I followed Kade into his unit, which was much smaller than my mother's flat. The living room looked like an artist's studio with easels and half-painted canvasses. There were paint supplies and other materials including wires, metal, fabric, wooden crates, a basket of bottle caps and another one of metal washers and screws. A worn couch and armchair filled out the space.
"It's a mess," Kade said with an uncaring shrug.
"It looks like a lot of work in progress," I replied, my gaze moving from piece to piece. Some were paintings, others were sculptures, some a mix of paint and other materials. "You have quite a few ideas."
He smiled. "Always have. Sometimes I don't know when there are too many ideas."
"Better to have too many than not enough."
"That's what I tell myself. Do you want something to drink?"
"All right," I said, following him into the kitchen.
"Beer or water?" he asked, as he opened the fridge.
"I'll take a beer. It seems like that kind of day."
He pulled out a bottle and handed it to me, then grabbed one for himself and took a long swig. Then he said, "So your sister likes to be in charge, doesn't she?"
"Always been bossy," I replied. "But Dani gets stuff done."
"Was she shocked to see your mother?"
"More shaken than I've ever seen her. And after she heard my mom was attacked in the hospital, she got really scared."
"This break-in won't help."
"She wants me to go back to Carmel with her, leave all this to the police to figure out."
He took another drink, then set down the bottle. "Not the worst idea."
"But I can't just leave with so many questions unanswered."
"You'd be safer."
I frowned. "It sounds like you want me to leave."
"I don't have an opinion, just stating the facts. I can't imagine you'll want to stay here tonight."
"No, but on the other hand, whoever broke in might have found what they were looking for. Maybe it's over."
"So, you're an optimist."
"Not really. I usually think that when things get too good, they'll disappear just as fast. Sometimes, I'm right."
Dani's voice rang through the apartment. "Brynn?"
"We're in the kitchen," I called back.
