Reason told her that whoever had left the pot was long gone. But Mandy kept her eyes on the perimeter of the property and her thoughts on her revolver while her brother finished his task at an agonizingly deliberate pace. Bill did not leave one speck of dirt behind. Fifteen minutes later, he nodded at her. “I’m done. We can eat now.”

“That looks great. Thanks.” She hustled him into the kitchen. He beamed with pride as he followed her. Relief swept through Mandy as she locked the back door. “Can you ask Mom if she wants a sandwich?”

“Sure.” Bill ducked into their apartment.

Mandy wiped her sweaty palms on her thighs. Bill returned in less than a minute with their mother right behind him.

“What’s going on, Mandy?” Her mom fisted a hand on a padded hip. Even with the weight she’d lost, her midsection remained lumpy as an old down pillow. “Bill said someone left a strange present on the porch?”

“It’s just some flowers.”

Her mother went out onto the porch for a minute. “I don’t like this.” She picked up the phone.

“What are you doing?” Panic raced through Mandy.

Her mother gestured with the cordless. “Calling the police.”

“Why are you calling the police?” Worry tinted Bill’s voice.

Mae patted his hand. “It’s not a big deal, but someone was on our porch last night without our permission. Considering everything that’s happened, I want Doug to come out here and take a look around.”

“But all they did was leave some flowers.” Bill propped his elbows on the counter and rested his chin in his hands.

“Bill’s right, Mom,” Mandy reasoned. “Calling Doug is pointless.” And potentially dangerous. What if her stalker was watching? Would he think Mandy wasn’t keeping up her end of the deal? “You know he’ll just blow it off.”

“Our taxes pay his salary, and he can damn well get his butt out here when I call.” Her mother’s face reddened with her temper. “I’ll do it if you’re not willing to—”

“No, you’re right.” Alarmed by her mother’s color, Mandy jumped in.

“You’re damn straight I’m right.” Mae dialed the phone and spoke to the dispatcher.

“Why don’t you sit down and have some lunch?” Mandy took her mother’s elbow.

Breathless, Mae pressed a hand to her chest. “I’m not hungry. If you’ll handle Doug when he gets here, I’ll go lie down.”

“Of course I will.” Mandy would have promised anything to get her mother to rest.

“I’m hungry.” Bill lifted his head.