Page 27 of Love Bomb

“Then why do they need a ladder?” Darach muttered.

As they watched, it became clear. The thief opened the stepping stool and placed it firmly under the camera. Then holding onto the wall, they climbed to the top—without the ladder, they couldn’t reach the camera.

“That’s one short thief,” Conall said.

The mini criminal pulled a spray can out of the pocket of their coat and aimed it at the camera. And missed. They then proceeded to talk to the can.

Bain frowned at the sight. “Do we have sound?”

“Yep. The doorbell camera is still intact, and it has sound. I’ll turn it on.” Darach did just that.

A very familiar voice burst into their living room.

“Stupid can, I should have stuck with the hat idea. Hats don’t freeze. I could have shoved a hat over each camera, and this would have been sorted. But no, the website said use red paint, so I’m using red paint. Why red? I have no idea, but here I am. Wait, does paint freeze? Has it frozen in the can?”

Rona.

She turned the can toward her and stared into the nozzle. Bain held his breath, waiting for her to spray her face. He only let it out when she turned the can away again. Crisis averted. For now.

Darach’s jaw dropped. “Rona? What’s she doing at your shed?”

Conall coughed and shifted uncomfortably. “Ah, that might be my fault. I met her in the pub tonight and she asked some questions about where you worked.” He winced. “I might have told her about the shed.”

Bain sighed. “Did she ask about the explosives I use?”

Conall turned red. “A wee bit. I’m sorry. I just thought she was interested in your life. In our business. You know, being polite.”

“She was interested all right.” Bain plopped into the sofa as he watched Rona shake the can before trying again.

“Red paint?” Darach asked.

“Apparently, it’s recommended,” Bain drawled.

Kade rushed into the room. “I’ve got the police on the line. What do I tell them?”

“That Rona Dalgliesh has completely lost her mind,” Bain said.

“What?” Kade spun to the TV.

On screen, Rona sprayed the camera before accidentally dropping the can. It disappeared into the snow. She let out a strangled scream of annoyance before climbing down the ladder. With obvious anger, she stepped off into the snow, lost her footing, and face planted. She came up cursing, but she was holding the spray can. Bain and his brothers just stared at her as she dusted herself down.

“Ten pounds says she removes the mask to shake off the snow,” Conall said.

“No way, it’s her disguise,” Darach said. “There are still cameras and she’d be giving away who she is.”

Ah, but Rona wasn’t running on logic.

Sure enough, she took off the ski mask, revealing a braid of red hair going down into her collar of her coat. She smacked the hat against her leg before putting it back on.

“Unbelievable,” Darach muttered.

“Never mind,” Kade said into the phone. “False alarm, officer.” He hung up.

Bewildered, they watched as Rona dragged the ladder out of camera range before coming straight back without it.

“I think she’s stashed her gear off camera,” Darach said.

“She looks like a kid playing dress up in that huge coat,” Conall said.