Patrima: A Dragon for Christmas (Return of the Dragons Book 5) by Rinelle Grey

Author:Rinelle Grey [Grey, Rinelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-03-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Hailey headed up the path through the lights, trying to ignore the urge to look back at the car to be sure that Patrick, or Patrima, or whatever his name was, wasn’t following her. She shouldn’t have even bought him with her, but she couldn’t leave him at the station either.

She wasn’t sure what she was going to do with him. Especially not with the way he tied her stomach in knots.

She pushed those thoughts away. She couldn’t let his presence distract her. She had a job to do.

“Thanks for coming, officer.” Ted Orville was always polite. The old man gave her a tight-lipped smile, his agitation overcoming his usual effusive enthusiasm.

“That’s okay. What seems to be the problem?”

“Someone’s cut the lead on several of my lights, over there.”

Ted pointed to a corner of his yard, the only bit that didn’t seem to be glowing and sparkling.

Hailey squinted. It was hard to see past the bright Christmas lights, but she could just make out the leads and light bulbs, their usual glow absent.

She nodded. “When did you last notice them on?” she asked.

“They were working just fine when I turned the lights on at seven o’clock,” Ted said. “I came out to check them just half an hour ago, and noticed they were off. When I went to check, the wires were cut.”

“You didn’t see anything unusual, other than the lights I mean?” Hailey asked.

Ted shook his head, but the movement was jerky. He glanced towards the house next door, one of the few dark ones in the street. “I think…” he hesitated, then said in a rush, “I bet it was Kyle. He’s been glaring at me all week. He hates the fact that everyone in the street has lights. He says it’s all a waste of electricity, and it’s causing light pollution. But he was here this evening, walking around, looking at all the lights. He stopped for an extra long time in this corner, I’m sure.”

Hailey glanced next door. There wasn’t even a light on inside now. If Kyle was home, he was either asleep, or hiding. She didn’t think it was likely that he was responsible though. Kyle was a quiet man who kept to himself, only ever responding with a short reply if he was engaged in conversation. She’d seen nothing to indicate he’d go so far as to sabotage Ted’s light display.

“Look, I’ll call in next door and see if Kyle is home. Maybe he saw something. But I don’t think you should go around accusing him without any evidence.”

Ted opened his mouth, and Hailey interrupted before he could say anything, “And not liking Christmas lights is not a crime. Even if it is rather lacking in Christmas spirit.” She gave Ted a smile, hoping to take the sting out of her words.

He smiled unwillingly. It was clear he still didn’t agree with her, but he didn’t repeat his accusation.

Hailey was about to ask Ted if he’d seen anyone else around that evening, when she heard the car door open.

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