Gypsy

Chapter 25

·Adam·

"So, what do you make of it?" I ask.

Noah simply shakes his head, just as confused as I am.

We're in my office looking at the surveillance footage. Last night it seems someone tried to break into one of the units and we are trying to see if we caught them on one of the cameras. So far we've seen nothing, except a blank image of aisle number one, the very aisle in question.

The image is fine all day, right until sunset. That's when it disturbingly changes. The camera's eye goes dark and is blind until nearly daybreak. We have watched the progression of the evening on that recording multiple times and there's no doubt in my mind that it's not a glitch in the system. Someone had covered that camera intentionally.

"Let's pull up all the files for camera three."

We watch the footage of each night, going back for just over three weeks. It is the same thing in each and every one.

"What the hell?" I mumble.

"Think maybe we should hire a security guard, Adam?"

I scratch my chin as I scroll back to last night's video file, and I then watch it again.

"Might not be a bad idea. If this has been going on this long, it might be someone trying to see if we'll notice. I can't afford someone breaking in here and robbing my customers." The bell over the door chimes and I let out a weary sigh. "I'll be back."

I turn my back on Noah then make my way out front, doing my best to affix a friendly smile on my face. But when I see who's just come in, I find I don't have to. Though I'm confused, seeing Zara here of all places, I'm not disappointed by it.

"What are you doing here?"

She gives me a nervous smile then lets her eyes travel around the room for a moment before returning to me. "Just wondering if you had a minute."

"Yeah, hang on." I turn and pop my head back into the office. Noah looks up at me and waits. "I'm gonna step out for a minute. That okay with you?"

"I'll cover you. Take your time."

"Thanks."

I turn back to Zara then step from behind the counter. She eyes Noah worriedly before looking back at me.

"This won't take too long, I promise. Don't want to get you into trouble with your boss."

"You won't, trust me. How'd you find me here?"

She gives me a crooked smile and shrugs her shoulders in true Zara fashion. "I guess stalking can be a two-way street."

I laugh at that and shake my head. "Fair enough. So, what'd you need?"

Her smile falters and for a moment that concerns me.

"I just needed to talk to you. Can we maybe go outside?" Her gaze flits in Noah's direction, indicating she doesn't want to be overheard.

I nod my head then follow her when she goes back out the door. When she stops and finally turns to me, I see the sheen of apprehension in her eyes. Any smile that might have remained on my lips melts away.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. It's just ... I need to tell you something, but I want yo to promise you won't be mad at Maddox or Andre first. You can be mad at me all you want, but don't be mad at them."

"Why? What happened?"

"Promise me first."

I let out a frustrated sigh then nod my head. "I promise, okay? Now, what's going on?"