Threat Of Darkness. Valerie Hansen

       “It’s certainly possible. Have you had any work done around this place recently? For instance, did you hire any handymen, any strangers?”

       “No. None.” She sighed thoughtfully. “Brutus may be an old dog but you saw how well he remembered you. If he did notice someone messing with my car it didn’t have to be anybody he’d recently met. He’s with me whenever I run errands and he always attracts plenty of attention. He probably knows at least half the people in town.”

       “True.”

       “You said you’d thought of a couple of things. What else?” When John stepped closer and leaned in to speak more quietly she immediately sensed the gravity of what he was about to say.

       “Okay. Since your car had already been thoroughly ransacked, why did the man or men stick around? Why didn’t they make their getaway long before you came out of the house?”

       “How should I know?”

       “Think carefully, Sam. Whoever vandalized your car was waiting.”

       He paused and lightly touched her shoulder before he added, “Waiting for you.”