Page 22 of Just Beachy

Eleven

The next morning, Grand andI stand in her bonus room/studio and survey the damage.

“It looks worse than it is. Nothing’s really missing,” Grand says.

“Doesn’t that seem a bit odd to you?”

“I don’t know, Sydney. I don’t have any experience with this kind of thing. Maybe they broke into the wrong place. Or maybe mine was just one of a number of places that were ransacked for the hell of it.”

Luke Hayes shows up and stands with his arms folded, surveying the mess. He’s no longer wearing a uniform, and the sports car he arrived in is clearly not government issue, so I’m guessing he’s no longer on duty.

“They were clearly looking for something,” he says.

“Like what?” I ask. “Drugs? Money? Mischief? Surely they hit the wrong unit or hit a bunch of them at random.”

“Nope. Only this unit,” Luke says, his eyes on Grand’s face. “Any idea why?”

“Not a clue,” Grand replies. “Maybe it was just proximity to the fishing dock?”

“But Myra’s unit is even closer to the dock,” I point out.

Grand shrugs. But she also trembles.

“Are you sure you have no idea what they were after?” Luke asks quietly, his gaze locked on Grand.

“I can’t imagine what they thought they’d find in a garage bonus room.” Grand’s chin goes up but she’s having trouble meeting his gaze. “Maybe they hoped the silver hadn’t been unpacked yet. Or were targeting the previous owners and didn’t know it was just a studio.”

“Or maybe Grand is right and it was totally random mischief.”

“I don’t think so,” Luke says. “This feels intentional. And the fact that nothing was taken indicates they either made a mistake or they were looking for something that they didn’t find. Yet.”

“Or it was completely random vandalism,” Grand says.

“Either way I suggest you have an alarm system installed.” He hands Grand a piece of paper with a list of local companies and their phone numbers. “This is generally an extremely safe area and neighborhood, but if you’re going to be living here alone, you really should have a system put in.

“I’ll be back this afternoon to put up a piece of plywood to secure the garage until you can have a new slider installed. I’m also going to ask the Treasure Island PoliceDepartment to make regular drive-bys. And I’ll do a late one when I go off duty.”

“You?” I beat back the vision of myself in skimpy pajamas knowing Luke will be just outside. “I really don’t think—”

“Don’t bother arguing,” Luke says. “I’m doing this for Grand. And to prevent you from having to go all Cassie Everheart on any bad guys ever again.”

“That’s very kind of you, Luke,” Grand says. “I know we’ll both feel much safer knowing you’re keeping an eye out.”

I sigh but manage not to roll my eyes.

He cocks his head as if waiting for something further.

“Thank you,” I say through gritted teeth.

“You’re welcome.” He winks and tips his hat. “You ladies take care and have a good day.”

He turns and walks back to his car. I try to keep my eyes focused on his broad shoulders and not on his backside, which proves a lot harder than it should be.

• • •

Two days afterthe break-in, Grand’s alarm system is installed. A day after that, I go to an audition for a grocery chain’s point-of-purchase videos. There I discover that acting-as-if-you’re-cooking is not as easy as acting-as-if-you’ve-already-cooked—something I’ve pulled off numerous times while trying to impress men with culinary skills that I don’t possess.

On the bright side, this audition doesn’t require me to bare my bosom or any other part of my anatomy likeBosom Buddieswould, and I’m pretty sure that Tonja Kay has not reached out to in-house production departments or local dinner theaters. At the moment, all I have to do is make an ice cream sundae.

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