Page 43 of Spotted at Lighthouse Bay
Mia rolled her window down and stuck her hand out. She jiggled a black canister in her hand. “See that? The strongest pepper spray that’s legal in the US.”
Addy laughed. “Did Rick tell you to buy that?”
“He had it sent to my house!” she said. “How’d he even know where I live?”
Addy paused. That man had a lot of mysteries around him. “I have no idea. Have you needed to use it?”
“Not yet, but I feel more confident.”
Addy stepped to the side. “Mia, this is Phil. He’s covering until Rick gets back tomorrow.”
“Hi, Phil.”
“Take a seat,” Addy said, pulling open the car door. “We’ve got to hurry. I hope they’re not gone yet.”
“Friends of yours?” Phil asked.
“Not exactly.” Addy turned to Mia. “Who is this neighborhood lookout you’ve been talking to? Do you have spies?”
Mia laughed. “It’s this one lady I met by Lawrence’s old house. She’s lived there for fifty years. She knowseveryone, and she felt awful about what happened to Lawrence. She and the other neighbors started a neighborhood watch for the salesmen.”
“Incredible.” Addy shook her head. “You’re like a detective.”
“It’s been great to have something to do. I check in there almost every day. It’s been a good distraction.” She lowered her voice. “I’ve been thinking about what you said, too.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet, but I had never considered anything else. It’s really made me think.”
Addy smiled. “I’m glad I could be of some use.”
They arrived at a neighborhood with streets arranged in an orderly grid. Mia cruised the first street slowly, scanning the houses along the way. “They were last spotted here. I guess they could be inside someone’s house…”
She gasped. “There they are! In the blue shirts.”
“Are these guys a threat?” Phil asked, leaning forward from the back seat.
“I don’t think so,” Addy said. “But they stole some money from my mom.”
“That’s not cool.”
Not cool indeed, Phil.
“Do you mind standing behind us and looking intimidating?” Mia asked. “I have a plan.”
“That’s what I’m here for!” Phil unbuckled his seat belt, a grin on his face.
He looked like a high school kid to Addy. Maybe it was best to leave him in the car…
“Follow my lead,” Mia said. “I’ve been practicing all week.”
Addy raised her eyebrows. As much as she wanted to talk to these guys, she hadn’t thought of what to say.
That was foolish. Poor planning on her part. At least Mia was on top of it.
“You have my full trust,” Addy said, getting out of the car, her heart pounding.
Mia led the way, her head high and her shoulders back. Addy walked next to her, Phil following closely behind.
