wasn’t about their past relationship—he wasn’t acting like the discussion was going to be intense. If she was wrong, she’d cut him off immediately. What had happened was in the past. He had broken her heart and her trust—two things she didn’t give lightly. She ignored the small whispering voice in her mind calling her a coward. She shushed it quickly. She didn’t owe him a chance to explain … she didn’t.
“Your aunt Gibby mentioned the rash of vandalisms.… I wanted to get your take. I was beginning to develop a theory and then something happened today that makes me even more certain of where my thoughts are headed.”
“What happened?”
“Remember where we first met?”
She almost gawked at him. How could she forget? Zach had saved her from a possible gang rape. “Of course.”
“There was a vandalism there last night, with a warning for you to leave.”
“Why would anyone even care that I’m here, much less want me to leave?”
“I think it was meant for me.”
“What? Why?”
“I believe the majority of the crimes are more about making me look bad and pissing me off than they are about defacing property. Summertime is usually a breeding ground for bad behavior by bored kids with too much time on their hands. That’s what the graffiti is made to look like, but I’m not convinced. Conveniently, none of the businesses have security cameras. No one is ever around to see anyone suspicious. And you know damn well that very few things in Midnight aren’t witnessed by at least one, if not more, persons. Every piece of property is owned by or closely associated with someone who was opposed to me being the police chief.”
“So what’s the endgame … their purpose? Do they want you to quit?”
“Quit. Leave.” His broad shoulders shrugged. “I don’t know. Either way, it’s not going to work. I just need to figure out where they’re going next and be there.”
“Can I help?”
Zach nodded. “Thanks, I could really use your help.” He grinned and added, “You’re one of the only people I’m sure isn’t guilty.”
“So what do you want to do? How do we set them up?”
“First we need to come up with a list of possible suspects. That’ll narrow down the locations that are apt to be hit. After that, we’ll decide which locations are the most likely and set a trap.”
“That’ll work for me. I can work here all day, then help you at night.”
Zach stayed silent. Now wasn’t the time to tell her that no way in hell was she going to be in on setting the trap. Most of the suspects he had in mind would most likely never think to bring a weapon … just spray paint and maybe a few bricks. That didn’t mean they wouldn’t turn nasty if cornered. Putting Savannah in any kind of danger wasn’t something he was willing to risk.
“Let’s put our list together first.”
Her chair scraped against the tiled floor. “Let me get some paper and a pen.”
While she did that, Zach gathered up the remains of their dinner and put them back in the sack. He’d drop them at a dumpster on the way home. By the time she had returned, he’d put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and started a pot of coffee.
“Wow, you’re quick and domesticated.”
Zach shrugged and pulled out a chair for her at the table. “You learn to be fast in the army.”
“And the domestication?”
“That came from having a mother who wasn’t. If I didn’t do it, most times it didn’t get done.”
The silence that followed his statement was awkward. That had probably been the first time he’d openly criticized his mother. Wouldn’t have happened with anyone else. Even though they never talked about his family issues, Zach had the tendency back then, and apparently he still had it, to tell Savannah things he wouldn’t ordinarily share.
Instead of asking him more about his mother or going on to a different subject, she stunned him with her next words.
“I met your mother once. Did she ever tell you?”
“No. When?”
The shaky breath she took gave him barely a warning before she said, “When you didn’t show up that morning, I went to your house.”
Zach closed his eyes briefly. Hell no, Francine hadn’t told him. Not that it surprised him. What pissed him off was not realizing that sooner. He should have known that’s exactly what Savannah would have done. Hell, and he hadn’t thought he could feel worse. No doubt his mother had gone out of