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“Edith mentioned it. And the police said there’s a burglary ring operating mostly in the Barrels. That’s who they suspect did it.”
“Have they hit these apartments before?”
“Edith believes they have. The police think this gang is responsible for the previous burglaries too.” Except this one was the first she’d heard of that the robbers were armed. She added, “It doesn’t seem to bother them that they’re stealing from people who have very little.”
“Well, they are criminals.”
“True. And they shot at us, so they obviously didn’t care who they hurt.” Her children. God, thinking about how Cody and Katrina had been in danger made her want to hold them close and never let them go.
She thought about what Edith had said after Laurel talked to the kids prior to going to the station.
Edith had drawn Laurel aside, out of earshot of the kids. “How bad is it?”
“Hard to tell. I had a glimpse of the living room and it’s a disaster. I know the TV is missing. I couldn’t see much from the doorway, so I can’t really say what’s gone. The police said all the electronics were probably gone.”
“I’m so sorry, honey. Do the police believe there’s a burglary ring operating in the Barrels? I know I’ve heard a lot of speculation about it.”
“Yes, they mentioned that.”
“I guess that gang decided we were easy pickings.”
“Probably because we are.” She gave Edith a hug. “Be careful.”
“Laurel—”
She had halted at the serious note in Edith’s voice. “What is it, Edith?”
“You need to get out of here. If not for your own sake, for the children’s.”
She couldn’t argue with that. Which was why she’d been doing her best to save up so she could move. “I know.” But…it wouldn’t be fair to Zack to move in with him when she still wasn’t sure—about marriage or living together, anyway.
Because she was sure she loved him.
“Laurel, did you hear me?” Travis asked.
“No, but I just thought of something. I haven’t talked to Harlan,” Laurel said suddenly remembering her oldest brother. “Did you tell him what happened?”
“Of course.” Someone knocked on the front door. “And speaking of Harlan…” He got up and answered the door. A grim-faced Harlan strode inside.
Laurel stood and hugged him when he crossed the room to her. He released her and she looked at him with a sinking feeling. She knew that face. If you looked up implacable in the dictionary, a picture of Harlan’s face right now would be beside it.
“Have you talked to her yet?” Harlan asked Travis.
“Are you kidding? I was waiting for you.”
“Fine,” Harlan said. He sat on one side of her and Travis sat on the other.
“What’s this?” Laurel asked, narrowing her eyes.
“You have to move. You have to get out of that hellhole,” Harlan said.
She closed her eyes, knowing they expected a fight. Opening her eyes, she looked at them. “I know.”
“You do?” Travis appeared stunned.
“I’ve been trying to save up to move. It’s one of the reasons I took the job at Jalisco’s.”
“You never said anything.”
“It hasn’t been that bad until recently. But I’m not an idiot. I know it’s been going downhill.” She shook her head. “Moving somewhere else doesn’t guarantee I won’t ever be robbed again.”
“No, but living in these apartments makes it more likely you will be robbed again,” Harlan said.
“Laurel, if you’re planning to move why don’t you just move in with Zack?” Travis asked. “Or marry him, for God’s sake. We know he asked you.”
Just then, Zack came in with the food. His gaze took in the three of them, probably all looking guilty, Laurel thought. He lifted his eyebrows. “Something going on I need to know about?”
