A combination of horror and outrage flooded her. Wolfe spoke quickly into the phone while she stared at the vandalism. How dare he try to steal her sense of safety? This type of humiliation had his signature all over it. Cowardly. Manipulative. Her fists clenched with the urge for retaliation.
In minutes a siren screamed, the familiar red and blue lights flashing madly and interrupting the serenity of the small town.
The car pulled up next to them and Officer Stone Petty climbed out. His uniform was slightly wrinkled, but he radiated a dominant, brutal energy that reminded everyone he was in charge and things were on his terms. His sharp eyes took in the scene as he slowly walked forward. His leather shoes squeaked on the concrete. “Ms. MacKenzie. Wolfe. You call this in?”
She tilted her head way, way back to meet his gaze. “Yes.”
“You just get back home?” He jerked his head toward the house.
“We went to dinner at Gen’s parents’ house. Just pulled up and saw this. I looked quickly around the property and in the house but didn’t find anything. Then I called 911.”
Disapproval tightened those brutal lips. “Never go inside the house. Always call it in—you never know what you’ll find.”
Another car door slammed. Officer Devine joined them. His caramel hair looked slightly tousled, and his uniform was sharply pressed. He greeted them with a friendly, open look, and exchanged words with Petty.
“The ex?”
“Maybe.” Petty turned to them. “Have you heard from Dr. Riscetti lately?”
Gen nodded. “He came to see me over on Main Street. Asked to talk. We spoke briefly, and he said he’s moving to Boston and that I should go back to the hospital. He apologized for his behavior, but I told him I’d never forgive him. He seemed apologetic. He returned my stuff this weekend.”
Petty nodded, making some notes. “Did he say anything about Wolfe at the time? Threaten you again? Insult you?”
“He said Wolfe was an asshole and I was above him.”
Wolfe shook his head. “Called me an asshole, huh? Well, he’s the real asshole. And if you guys don’t get your shit together, I’m going to do things my way.”
Officer Petty raised a brow. “I hope I didn’t hear that. Stay here, please. We’re going to look over the house and grounds, and then take some more information.”
Wolfe simmered with impatience but managed a quick nod. Officer Devine shot them a sympathetic smile and the cops began doing their thing. The ugly red word made her gut twist. Whore. What would the neighbors think? She wanted it off now. Scrubbed clean.
“We’ll fix it,” Wolfe said, as if knowing her thoughts. “He’s not getting near you, Gen. Not with me here.”
She thought of him leaving for Italy and being alone in her once-safe house. No panicking. She’d be fine. If she got spooked, she’d stay with Kate. Or Arilyn. Or at her parents’. David wasn’t going to run her life any longer, and it was time she dealt with this.
Gen squinted at the sight of a slender, ethereal figure floating down the sidewalk. A ghost?
“Are you okay? What happened? I heard the sirens and saw the lights, but I wasn’t sure it was for you. Gen, why aren’t you talking?”
She almost laughed at the sight of Arilyn hauling ass in a long white cotton nightgown. Bare feet, hair loose, she looked like she belonged in another century, the moonlight bathing her in mist. She was no image though. Strong hands pulled her in for a hug, as if she needed to make sure her body was intact.
“What are you doing here? I’m fine. We just got back from dinner at my parents’ and found this.”
Fierce heat glowed in her friend’s green eyes. “I’m babysitting Robert tonight for Kate. They’re in the city for a business dinner. I heard the sirens.” Her gaze studied the ugly word and she pressed her lips together. “Now I’m done. Your ex has officially pushed me too far. I’m gonna get him.”
It was so rare to find Arilyn in any type of temper. Gen actually laughed, her mood lifting at the mama bear protectiveness of her friend.
“Get in line,” Wolfe muttered. “He’s a dead man.”
“Are the cops here? Did they take forever again when you called? I hope it’s somebody more qualified than that Stone Petty. I don’t think he knows what he’s doing.”
“Ms. Meadows. What a pleasure to meet you again. Or not.”
Arilyn spun around and glared. The cop towered over her, even with Arilyn’s impressive height. But her friend didn’t seem to care, stepping forward and bristling with outrage, even in her white gown and bare feet. “Is this finally enough evidence to lock that psycho up?” she challenged. “Or do you need CSI to do some forensics?”
“A spray-painted insult doesn’t warrant a CSI investigation, Ms. Meadows,” the officer drawled. “It’s ugly, juvenile, and a call for attention. But not a death threat.”
Arilyn’s lips twisted. “Great. So David has to verbally threaten her with murder for you to do your job? Do you plan to do any work at all or sit back until she’s in real danger?”
Officer Petty practically snarled, lowering his face closer to hers. “Maybe if I didn’t get interrupted constantly by snooping neighbors who believe they have all the answers, I could actually use my time to investigate instead of defend my job.”
“I don’t snoop,” she challenged. “And perhaps we need a different officer here to confirm the investigation is done properly.”