Just Cause by Susan Page Davis Page B

to a snack.”
    Dan shrugged. “You just never know, do you?”
    “It’s frightening, knowing someone came into your home like that,” Marissa said.
    Laurel bit her lip.
    “They tried to take prints after the first break-in,” Dan said, “but they didn’t get anywhere. I didn’t ask them to come again tonight. I decided we’d better get Laurel out, and now I’m wondering if I shouldn’t have brought most of her things.”
    “I can help you tomorrow,” Owen offered.
    “Sit down. The food’s almost ready.” Marissa brought the plates over and set them on the table. Dan offered the blessing, and they began to eat.
    “This is wonderful,” Laurel told Marissa. She hadn’t done any real cooking in weeks and the stroganoff tasted like a bit of home.
    Owen straddled a chair and said to Dan, “So, Laurel says she might have to miss church in the morning. What do you think?”
    Dan shrugged. “It’s important to keep her out of sight for a while.”
    “She could go to our church with us,” Marissa said. “She could wear some of my clothes and a big hat.”
    “Oh, that would make her inconspicuous,” Owen said with a chuckle.
    Dan leaned back. “What do you say, Laurel?”
    “I don’t know. I’d like to go, but if you think it’s dangerous…”
    “Here’s what I think.” Dan took a sip from his water glass and set it down. “I’m going to go read the files we talked about. Unless I find something alarming, I’ll be back in the morning to pick you up. I think you’ll be safe at my church, and I’m pretty sure no one followed us here tonight.”
    Laurel smiled. “Then let’s go for it.”
    Dan stood up. “Sounds good. Now, if you all will excuse me, I need to hit the road.”
    He reached for Laurel’s hand and drew her with him toward the door to the garage. “If things settle down, we’ll get you back home Monday before you have to go to work,” he said softly. “If not, I’ll bring your computer and your other things to you.”
    She nodded. “I’d hate to lose my computer.” Another dart of anxiety hit her. “Do you think my car is all right in the parking space?”
    “I’ll ask the patrol sergeant to send a unit through Sherwood Apartments several times tonight. That may help.”
    She looked up into his eyes, and the enormity of it hit her. “Dan, why would anyone do this to me? Renee I can almost understand. She thought we had an agreement, although it was all one-sided. Now she’s angry that I didn’t follow through. But the rest of it—I don’t get it.”
    “Me, either. Someone was looking for something before Renee found your place. Any way I rationalize it, that’s what I come up with. An unknown burglar broke in the first time and trashed your place, then Renee came and stole your blouse and left you the message.”
    Laurel shook her head. “Even if someone hates me, what good can come of going through my things? I don’t have anything.”
    “They dumped out your books and software,” he reminded her.
    “And my clothes and dishes. I guess I’m lucky they didn’t pour flour and cocoa all over the kitchen.”
    Dan’s brow furrowed. “Think hard about this, Laurel. Who would come all this way after you…and why?”
    “I don’t know! But I’m scared. And I don’t want to bring trouble on your brother and his family.”
    “I know.”
    “If I can’t go home soon, I certainly can’t stay here and put them in danger. Imagine someone breaking into their home.”
    Dan sighed. “You’re right. We’ll figure something else out. In the meantime, pray hard.”
    “I will.” Laurel looked into his tender gray eyes. “Dan, you don’t have to do this.”
    “I’m in it now. Just be careful. We’ll talk tomorrow, after I read the files and have a better picture of your situation.”
    She nodded. When he could see the full picture, he would regret becoming involved, but for the time being, here she was in his brother’s home. She prayed that these innocent