Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-Three

Melody

When we showed up to the store, I was shocked to see police lights.

“It’s going to be okay,” Charles said.

Much to my chagrin, Bill was waiting for us. He only spoke to me. “We got a call about thirty minutes ago. I called you several times before you answered.” He looked at me as if I belonged to him.

“What’s going on?” I moved toward the front of the store.

Bill sidestepped to block Charles from following. “We noticed the front door was already open, so we went inside and looked around. That’s when I called you.”

I glanced around and it didn’t seem like anything was amiss.

“Is this related to the other break-ins?” Charles asked.

Bill swung around to face him. “Technically, you can’t ask those questions.”

“Bill, please answer him.”

Bill rolled his eyes. “Fine. We assume this is connected to the other break-ins.” He turned to face me. “Is there someone who would be after you? Do you have something they want?”

I was slightly freaked out. Why would someone keep breaking into my mother’s home and now the doll shop? I paced the shop, trying to figure out what could’ve been taken.

Charles asked Bill a bunch of questions about how many policemen were on duty and who had noticed the break-in. My mind whirled, trying to figure out what they could’ve wanted. Did Peter want something from me? That didn’t make sense. I couldn’t even get him to call me back about the 401(k). Plus, if he wanted something, he would negotiate for it.

“Are you okay?” Charles returned to my side and took my hand.

“I’m okay.” I wouldn’t tell him I was afraid.

Bill banged on the side of the door. “We have another call, and we have to go.”

“Thank you, Officer.”

As we watched them pull away, my mind spun. “Let’s check the apartment upstairs,” I told Charles. “I should’ve done that before I sent the police away.”

Charles grunted. “I doubt they could’ve done anything even if they did come up with us. Once again, I think you need cameras.”

I started up the stairs. “I’d be okay with cameras here.”

Something crashed. I froze, almost at the top of the stairs. It sounded like it had come from the front of the store.

“Stay here.” Charles flew back down the stairs.

I followed him.

He raced out the front door as I reached the bottom step. “Stop! Come back!”

Adrenaline spiked, and I followed Charles outside. He took off down the street, chasing someone I couldn’t see. I tugged my phone out of the purse and called Bill.

“You must like me,” he teased when he answered. “You already want me back.”

“Bill, Charles is chasing someone. Something broke. The robber dropped something.”

I heard the sirens go off, and Bill said, “Don’t you worry. I’m comin’ back, darling.”