Laurel’s phone buzzed. “I know the FBI has an internship program every summer.” Perhaps she could find an after-school position for the girl if the unit was placed in this office. “I can contact my boss in DC and see if we can create an internship position here that runs through the year as a special circumstance since we don’t have a full staff yet. It won’t hurt to ask, but I also don’t want you to give up after-school activities.”

“I could do both.” She jumped up. “This is awesome. You’re going to make this unit permanent, right? I mean, this is where you live, so I’m going to plan like it’s happening. When volleyball starts again, I’ll have to work around practice, but that’s not until spring. Thanks so much.” She barreled out the door.

“I don’t have permission yet,” Laurel called out. Had she ever had that much energy? She glanced at her phone to see a text from her mom just checking in, so she made a quick call. “Hi, Mom,” she said when Deidre answered.

“Hi.” Deidre sounded tense.

“What’s wrong?” Laurel asked.

“I don’t know. I went to the specialty spice shop in town, and I could feel somebody watching me again. Then when I went out to the car, there were footsteps in the newly fallen snow right by my driver’s side door.” Deidre coughed. “I parked by the curb, so somebody had to have walked there on purpose.”

Laurel’s breath stalled. “Where exactly was your car?”

“The far right parking space by the big oak tree.”

Laurel visualized the area. “Don’t a lot of people cut around that tree to avoid the fire hydrant and that odd bench with the broken leg?”

“Yes.”

“All right, so somebody could’ve slipped on the snow and stood next to your car. How big were the prints?”

“I don’t know,” Deidre said. “They were all jumbled together.”

Laurel reached for a pencil. “Okay. There’s a chance this is nothing, but we want to make sure. I’m going to see if Fish and Wildlife officers will cover you at your house until I get home. Okay?”

“Now I feel dumb,” Deidre said. “It was just footprints in the snow. Even so, your aunt and I are taking a three-day trip to Balley’s Spa. Uncle Blake said you can stay with him if you’re scared.”

Laurel sat back. “I’m a trained FBI agent with a gun, Mom. But thanks.”

“Okay. I’ll text you when we reach the spa. Love you.” She ended the call.

Laurel looked at her phone. Her mother was easily spooked, but even so, what if somebody was trying to scare her? Had another of Laurel’s cases put her family in danger? Something to think about if she decided to stay in town.