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The officer takes down Marie’s information, and tells us that while it may not be her who did the dirty work, she could still have a played a part in it. After answering a few more general questions, we’re waved inside.
All the display cases are on their side, books are scattered everywhere, and posters that were on some of the walls are shredded. Out of caution, the safe didn’t have over five hundred dollars in it, and even with it hiding in the floor in the back office, it was found–not broken into.
My point of sale machine is smashed on the floor behind the counter, and my employee iPads are gone. I can’t be sure if any books were stolen, but out of everything, that would be the least of my worries.
“What we have appears to be a felony. There is extensive damage to your store that looks to be intentional and not an accident. How many iPads did you have on hand?” the officer asks.
“I had two in the office. They don’t seem to be there anymore. I saw the monitor was shattered as well. But the safe was still intact.”
“Insurance will cover the costs of the panes and broken windows. Of course you will have a deductible to pay, but you definitely have a case here. I will reach out with the owners of this center and ask about security footage. Here’s my card, call if anything else happens or if you have any additional information. We will also be in touch as information unravels.” I shake his hand and turn back to my store.
This is going to take a lot to clean up.
Shaw doesn’t leave the store until I leave. I call my insurance, make a claim to have the windows fixed. I catalog what I can of the books, call my employees and Janet, Shaw’s mom who is volunteering at the store to give them the time off for a few days while I get the store back in some kind of order. Shaw helps by going to the hardware store and getting plywood to board up the windows. I end my day with a headache and sore muscles.
Shaw had plans to go out to dinner with Luke, which he tried to cancel. I told him to still do his thing, I was going to call Sloane anyway to see if she wanted to come over and I could use a drink.
Slone arrives an hour later with a six-pack of cider and cheeseburgers.
“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever, you get yourself a new boyfriend and suddenly you have no time for your bestie. It’s not like schools in session and I can ask Shaw. You can’t keep me in the dark. What’s going on? Where’s lover boy tonight?” Sloane asks.
“Well, Shaw and I are good, our relationship is great, and tonight he’s hanging out with Luke.” I reply.
“But you look tired,” she comments.
“It’s been a day, hell it’s been a week.” I sigh.
“Tell your therapist all about it.” She leans back, taking a sip from her bottle.
“God, where would I even begin! So, you know how Marie says that Shaw was cheating on her and all that, well she actually came to the shop and went off on me in front of the store. She was throwing insults left and right, then Shaw came and she left.”
“Oh that’s fun.” Sloane rolls her eyes, “I never once liked her. Sure, I would pretend, but I only did that because the kid is adorable.”
I smile, thinking about Mason. “He’s a cute kid.” I agree with her.
“Okay, so then what?”
“Well, then she accused me of harassment. We got a call from Shaw’s lawyer last night and I had to run down what happened and what was said. Then Shaw told me that he loved me, and today my store was vandalized.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Back up here, Shaw told you he loved you?” Sloane picks her jaw up off the floor.
“Yeah, last night.” I nod.
“And?”
“Well, of course I said it back.”
“So, you guys are totally in love?” she asks.
“Totally.” I say smiling.
“That’s lovely. I’m so excited for you. Both of you guys had shitty exes, I’m so glad you took my advice to go after the hot best friend. Okay, so you said something about vandalism, dish.”
“Got to the shop today, windows had red paint on them, broken glass, my displays were scattered, and some of the electronics either stolen or busted.” I recount.
“Think it was her?”
“No. I think she had something to do it, but she wouldn’t directly do it since she is going to court now with Shaw.” I reply.
