Brandon studied the wooden slats. None were loose. The fence and gate spanned the gap between Leigh’s house and the brick wall separating her property from her neighbor’s. A skinny black cat sat atop the wall watching him.

He turned to Leigh, who stood beside her rosebushes, arms crossed and hands tucked into the sleeves of her sweatshirt. She was shivering in the chilly night air.

“You’re sure it was locked when you left for work today?” he asked.

“It was. I’m sure. I always keep it locked. I only ever use it if I’m bringing plants or potting soil in here.” She paused. “What do you think happened?”

“I don’t know. Maybe someone jumped the fence, poked around, then let himself out.”

“Poked around?”

He stepped over to her and rested his hands on his hips. “Maybe he was checking out your security setup. Or maybe he planned to break in and changed his mind.”

She shivered again.

“I need to get a CSI out to see if there are any prints on the gate,” he said.

“You really think that’s necessary? I’ve got company coming tonight.”

Jealousy darted through him.

“When?” he asked.

“Eight.” She checked her watch. “Javi’s bringing carryout, and we’re supposed to go over my opening argument for court tomorrow.”

“It won’t take long to dust for prints.” He doubted there would be any, but they had to at least check.

Leigh led him back into the house, and he paused for a moment in the living room, looking around again. She had a basic wall-mounted TV, but not a lot of electronics lying around. Certainly nothing obvious that would tempt a burglar.

Brandon glanced at her, and the worried look in her eyes got to him.

“Be right back.”

He walked out to his truck. Reaching behind the front seat, he retrieved a long, narrow cardboard box.

“What’s that?” Leigh asked as he returned to the house.

“A steel brace for your slider.”

“When did you get it?”

“This morning.”

He walked into the sunroom and crouched beside the door. In a couple of minutes, he had the brace installed in the door track.

“It’s on a spring. See?” He glanced up at her, and she was watching him with a furrowed brow. “It pops right out when you want to use the door.” He stood up and dusted his hands. “I know it’s an eyesore, but this is your most vulnerable point of entry and it needs to be addressed.”

She looked up at him. “You got that today.”

“Yeah.”

“I thought you were mad at me.”

“I am.”

She looked down at the door again, and a shiver moved through her.