Page 17 of Cautious Love

“Tell me what?” I say gruffly.

“Sam got a call last night at Grey Kensington’s place.”

I frown because if it’s what I think then it’s clearly not a laughing matter.

Luke chuckles and shakes his head. “It’s not what you think. No, uh, he called in for vandalism to his house and truck.”

“Explain,” I grunt.

He grins. “I don’t know how she did it, or maybe she paid someone to do it. But she spray painted that six-point buck the whole town knows about because he wouldn’t shut up about it.He threw all of his TV dinners in the sink and let them thaw. And she…” he stops talking because he’s laughing too hard to speak. “I wish I did this one myself, in fact I’ll have to do it to Will but, she put snappers under his toilet seat and scared the crap out of him, he’s claiming physical assault because it scared him so bad he fell face first into the wall and has a nice knot on his head. But also the man was drunk as a skunk. I’m not sure if that’s everything, but regardless, there’s no proof she did anything. He’s assuming it was Shiloh Sullivan. Sam told Grey we’d ask the neighbors if they saw anything, but there’s not much he can do,” Luke says.

I smile shaking my head. “You know what, Daisy? I’ll take my patrol early and go question the neighbors.”

She smiles. “You got it.”

“Luke, do you want to come?” I ask him.

He grins widely. “I thought you’d never ask,” he says, sliding his gun into the holster.

When I pull up to Grey’s house, Shiloh’s handiwork is front and center on the truck with four flat tires. I whistle at the sight.

“That’s going to cost him,” Luke says.

“He deserves to pay much more,” I mumble.

“Alright, let’s go ask some neighbors some questions.”

Luke heads to the house right next door, and I go back to Ms. Maise’s. Something tells me if anyone saw anything, it would be her.

I knock on the door and she answers with a smile on her face.

“Sheriff,” she says.

I tip my hat. “Ms. Maise.”

“I’m here to gather information regarding the vandalism that occurred across the street. Mr. Kensington claims it happened last night. Did you see anything?” I ask her.

She takes a sip of coffee and shakes her head. “No, sir, I didn’t see a thing. It’s a shame though, whoever did it, did a number on that precious truck of his.”

I glance across the street. “That they did.”

“Give me a call if you think of anything.”

She smiles and lifts her cup to me as if in a cheers. “Not a problem. Not a problem at all.”

I head back down the stairs and move on to the other neighbors, then meet back up with Luke.

“I’m assuming you got the same answer I did. No one saw or heard anything. Surprising, isn’t it?” Luke says with a grin.

“Yeah, it really is.”

Before we get back into the truck, Grey comes stumbling out of his house, face beat red and anger in his eyes.

“Hey! Sheriff! Did you arrest her? I want to press charges!” Grey yells so the entire street can hear him.

I glance at Luke, and he shrugs.Fine, I’ll play along.

“Officer Sam took down your information and is aware you would like to press charges, but the question is, against whom?” I ask him.