Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Sir, let’s move over here so we don’t interrupt the shoppers,” Craig suggested.
“Avery, that guy who wouldn’t give his name is back,” Nora stated firmly into the phone. She wasn’t going to give that man the satisfaction of rattling her.
With Avery’s reassurance that a squad car was on the way, Nora approached where the man stood. That small voice in the back of her mind pointed out how easily Craig had handled the situation.
“The police are sending a car. Why are you here? I know that you are not a detective,” Nora told him and enjoyed seeing a small sliver of discomfort on his face before he bristled.
“Of course I’m not a local cop. I’m here investigating something on a much higher level,” the man sneered.
“I’m going to ask you to leave and never return,” Nora told him firmly, glad that Craig was there to back her up. He would know what this man looked like in case he came back to harass the store in the future.
“I am tracking a very dangerous woman. I believe that she is hiding here in the store.”
“There’s no one here in the store other than myself, my employees, and about five million stickers,” Nora answered dismissively. She was done with this guy.
“It is illegal to harbor a criminal,” he said, taking a step forward aggressively.
Nora didn’t hesitate. Enraged, she stepped forward and pointed one hand toward the door. “I believe it is also illegal to pretend to be a detective in any branch of law enforcement. Leave and don’t return.”
The man stared at her, trying to get Nora to back down, but she wouldn’t. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a police car pull into the parking lot. She stiffened her spine.
The man turned without saying another word and stalked out of the store.
Watching through the window, she pointed at the man who walked briskly away. The two uniformed police officers approached and questioned him. To her relief, she saw the intruder pass over his identification. They’d at least know who he was.
“What’s going on?” Craig asked quietly.
“I don’t know, but he’s tried to convince me that he’s a detective working a case.” Nora looked around to make sure the customers hadn’t been affected and couldn’t overhear her conversation. “He appeared after a bomb threat was called in. I don’t know if there’s something suspicious happening or if he’s just fixated on the store. Call the police immediately if he enters the store again.”
“Here comes an officer,” Craig warned.
“Hi, I’m Officer Baldwin. Are you Nora Bancroft, the owner?”
“Yes. And this is Craig Sullivan, my assistant manager.”
“Detective Reynolds alerted us that you’re having trouble with this guy. Did he do any damage in here?”
“No. He came in and yelled at my cashier and tried to intimidate me. He’s still pretending to be an officer somewhere. Isn’t that a crime?” she asked.
“We’re going to take him in for questioning, but they’ll let him out in a couple of hours. Have you told him to stay out of the business, ma’am?”
“Yes. I just did. I told him that I would call the police for trespassing if he came into the store again,” Nora answered.
“Perfect. We’ll warn him of that as well and put it in the official report. With any luck, he’ll decide to move on and harass someone else.” The officer paused and studied Nora’s face before adding, “Detective Reynolds asked me to tell you the bomb threat is untraceable. A burner phone purchased at a garage sale. You don’t know anything about a woman staying here?”
“Officer, I just opened the business recently and have practically been living here. This is Craig’s first afternoon getting oriented for his new job.”
“I understand. Sorry, I have to ask to make sure I complete the paperwork thoroughly. Call if he shows up again.”
“Thank you, Officer. Will you thank Detective Reynolds for me as well?”
“Of course. We’re glad to help.”
Nora watched the officer leave and place the man in the back of the squad car. She could almost feel his eyes on her through the window as he turned to look back at her.
“I was not expecting that,” Craig admitted when she looked at him.
“Me, neither. Let’s take a walk to Little Cakes. I need some sugar. Amy, I’m headed to grab a cupcake. Want one?” Nora asked the cashier now happily smiling at them.
“I’ll never turn anything down from that shop,” Amy answered.
“Chocolate?” Nora guessed.
“The chocolatiest one they have,” Amy requested.
“I haven’t been in Little Cakes,” Craig confessed.
“Oh, are you in for a treat.” Nora waved him after her and led the way to the brightly decorated shop.
Chapter Seventeen
“Thanks for not running away,” Nora said to Craig as they settled at a table. She set the German Chocolate cupcake in its cute to-go box on the table to take back to Amy.