I hung up and went back in. Our neighborhood had recent break-ins, all with a similar pattern. Chemicals to bust locks, careful clean-up.
It hit me: my house was being set up for the next break-in.
“Mom, what’s going on?” Kai asked.
I faked a smile. “All good, honey. Let’s eat.”
We’d just started eating when there was a knock. I jumped up, but was glad to see Leona through the peephole.
“Kids, stay here and finish up,” I said, going outside to talk to Leona.
She listened as I told her about the stuff and Ravi’s odd behavior.
“You did the right thing calling me,” Leona said. “I’ll check the trash and send it to the lab. Meanwhile, beef up your security. We’ll patrol all night. If they try to break in, we’ll catch them.”
I nodded. “I’ll call a security company first thing.”
Leona patted my shoulder. “Try to rest, Nora. We’ll figure this out.”
But sleep was the last thing on my mind. I spent hours looking at security systems, jumping at every sound outside. By morning, I was a jittery mess.