Page 37 of Barbed Wire and Burglary
A.J. and Aaron ultimately decided to investigate inside the building first and work their way out. Maggie pointed out what remained of the products that had once filled the shelves in the room. The sheriff hadn’t been kidding about the red dye splattered against the walls. Without any advance warning, A.J. would’ve assumed someone had bled out.
“The burglar crushed the bars of soap and bath bombs.” Maggie’s voice gathered steam and grew angrier by the second. “Then he squeezed out all the tubes of lotion and poured out butters, sauces, and cooking oils. If that wasn’t bad enough, he tore through their workshop in the back, emptying out dyes and other ingredients.”
A.J. spun in a circle to absorb the full impact of the disaster. “It appears he was looking for something.”
“If you say so.” Maggie gave a sound of disgust. “Squirting red dye against the wall feels more like vandalism to me, but okay.”
Aaron spoke earnestly with her grandmother, who tearfully revealed that she and her husband didn’t have a security system installed. “All we’ve ever done is keep a watchdog.”
The utter destruction around them was far worse than what had happened at the pawnshop. At first glance, A.J. couldn’t see any connection between the two. This one was more than a burglary. It felt angry and vengeful.
Yet Luke Hawling was convinced the two burglaries were related. Why? He spun in another circle.
What are we missing?
He helped Aaron gather and bag evidence, unsure if anything useful would be recovered from the smashed bars of soap and bath bombs. No matter how they sliced it, it would go down in history as the best-smelling crime scene either of them had ever processed.
After her grandparents departed for the medical center, Maggie stuck pretty close to Aaron, offering him refreshments and keeping a stream of chatter going. He seemed to be enjoying her company, doubling down on his offer to raise a team of volunteers to clean up the place.
A.J. couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Initially, he’d assumed the guy was just saying whatever it took to calm her grandmother, but it was beginning to sound like more—something that went beyond the duties of a police officer. If A.J. had to come up with an adjective to describe the way the two of them were acting, it would becozy. Something more was brewing between them. Something romantic.
They finished their initial processing of the crime scene indoors, and the sheriff assigned another pair of deputies to finish up. This allowed Maggie to lead A.J. and Aaron outdoors to hunt for any tire tracks the perp had left behind.
No sooner than they stepped outside did a navy SUV skid into their midst. The driver braked at the last minute, creating a small spray of gravel.
Out of sheer reflex, A.J.’s hand went to the gun holster beneath his jacket. He watched as a tall woman climbed out from behind the wheel.
Her black hair was pulled into a tight bun, and her angular features were accentuated with heavy makeup. Too much for A.J.’s taste. Even her eyebrows appeared to be painted on.
The rest of her was gaunt to the point of looking unhealthy. Her beige trench coat hung loosely on her tall frame, and diamond pearl-drop earrings twinkled against the sides of her neck.
“Aaron, honey!” The tall woman flew in his direction with her arms outstretched. “I came as soon as I heard about the gas leak. Are you okay?”
Maggie had to do a hasty two-step to avoid being mowed down.
A.J. steadied her with a hand on her elbow.
If Aaron hadn’t braced himself, he might’ve gone tumbling as well when the woman launched herself into his arms.
“I’m good.” His face turned a ghastly shade from the effort it took to remain upright. “Never been better,” he lied.
“Um, hello?” Maggie gave the newcomer a searching look and held out a hand. “I’m Maggie Meyer.”
“Elise Hathaway.” The black-haired woman briefly pressed Maggie’s fingers before returning her attention to Aaron. She clung to his arm, completely ignoring Maggie and A.J. “Your sister mentioned something about a bee farm, and…well, here I am,” she concluded with a too-bright smile that looked fake to A.J.
Perceiving they were in the presence of Aaron’sinfamous ex, he watched her head swivel to take in their surroundings.
It wasn’t a casual glance. There was a decidedly watchful element to it. “What’s going on here?”
“It’s an active crime scene, so I can’t talk about it. I know you understand.” Aaron used her clinginess to propel her back to her vehicle. “We’ll have to visit later.”
“How about dinner?” she shot back.
“Let me get back to you about that.” His expression was evasive. “It was kind of you to travel so far to check on me. Unnecessary, but kind.”
She made a face at him. “I’m concerned about you. So is your uncle.”
“He’s always been a worrywart.” Aaron assisted her over the running board and firmly shut her door behind her.
