Page 10 of A Soldier's Pledge
Coffee made, they took their mugs and went onto the patio where the sound of running water from the waterfall on her pool helped to create a more Zen-like environment. She had a feeling she wasn’t going to like where this was going and the more help with calm the better.
***
This was exactly why he hadn’t told her last night. Thank God he’d kept his mouth shut. Too bad she’d put on the TV, though. It’s not like he hadn’t already planned to discuss it with her today. The LT had given him the go ahead because of her knowledge of the real estate scene in Willow Haven and that some of her listings were involved. But then it would have been on his terms, not the freakin’ news.
He loved her backyard. Typical Florida, lots of flowers, orange and avocado trees and a beautiful pool that looked like it was part of a tropical oasis. It screamed money, and he wondered if they got married whether their different financial status would matter. Not that he’d be proposing any time soon. If she couldn’t admit she was in love with him, even though it was plain for everyone to see, then he’d have to wait. Saying the words had been a spontaneous outburst, not that he was sorry he’d said them, only that she hadn’t said it back.
Waiting until she was settled in one of the chaise lounges, he sipped his coffee and wondered where to start. She took care of that for him.
“Are all the houses our listings?”
“All but the first one and the one last Saturday night, so seven of the nine. Which is why I think the first one might have been a practice run.” She nodded and waited for him to continue.
“We didn’t think about the connection until two or three in, partly because with so many of the owners out of town and being older couples it wasn’t always easy to get answers. Last week’s robbery was a new listing, although not with your company, it was the only one that was for sale by owner.”
“Seven? Holy shit. And never when anyone was there?”
“Exactly. When Steele and I were talking to the LT on Friday, we started to connect the dots. They’re too well planned.” As she nodded, he could almost see the wheels turning in her head. Knowing her analytical mind, she was probably running every possible scenario already.
“You think it’s an inside job?”
She was quick, but then she had more information than they’d started with. Still, overall, he felt like he’d dropped the ball on this one. He should have put it together sooner. So much for protect and serve. “Yes, maybe, possibly.”
“Do you think it’s me? Is that why you didn’t say anything?”
“No! Of course not. I already said you weren’t a suspect. How could I think it’s you? Jesus Christ, Anna. C’mon, give me a little credit, will you? Besides, what would be the motive to steal from your listings? Face it, you have more money than you know what to do with.” He could hardly contain the instant spark of anger that sent his blood pressure skyrocketing. So much for headway in their relationship.
“Sorry. But when you didn’t say anything, and most of the houses were my listings…”
“You are not now or ever a suspect. Okay? But we can’t rule out one of your employees. They all have access to the lockbox codes, right? And would know the schedules? Or at least be able to find them?”
“Yes, that’s true. But most of them have been with the company for years, and we’ve never had this issue before.”
“Have you hired anyone recently? Or has anyone had any financial difficulty?”
“No. My newest employee is Adria, and I know it’s not her. You have to know it’s not too. As far as financial troubles, I wouldn’t know. How would I, unless they came to me to ask for a loan or help? I don’t run financials on my employees.” She worried her lower lip between her teeth, a sure sign she was focused on a problem. “Are you sure it’s not just a bunch of kids looking for kicks?”
“At first, we thought that was a definite possibility. But no. There has been too much planning, precision, patience, in and out before anyone realizes. No damage to the home. Teenagers wouldn’t be able to resist damaging something for the hell of it. The only way we find out is when either a neighbor calls the next day because the lockbox is off or lights are on.”
“That’s just bizarre.”
“It feels like they are taunting us. But they’re smart and careful. Not even a fingerprint has been left at the scene. They think they can’t be caught, and that’s when we’ll get them. They’ll get cocky and make a mistake, and we’ll be waiting.”
“But how many more homes have to be robbed first?”
“That’s the issue. The LT thinks you can help us try to narrow it down.”
“What can I do?”
“I’m going to give you all the addresses of the burglaries. Can you give us the files for your listings?”
“Yeah, but what are you looking for? Most of the stuff in our files are notes about the home, photographs for the listing, and the contract. We don’t have a lot of specific information.”
“We’re looking for similarities between the properties.”
“Okay, well I can do that now. Let me get my laptop. Since I computerized everything, it’s all on our server.”
“Who has access to that?”
