“The owner?” I ask suddenly. “You didn’t speak to a realtor, did the owner mention her?” I ask.
My dad shrugs. “Far as I know the owner does all the renting himself,” he says absently. “He’s on his way over from the other side of town.”
“Been having a good old talk with Mrs. Peterson downstairs though. Sounds like you scared her half to death with all this talk of stalkers in her building,” he continues, wagging a finger at me, but I pull him up on that point.
Hoping he won’t mention the delicate matter of Phoebe’s rent paid up for the next couple of months either.
“There is someone Dad. Been hounding Phoebe for years now. We’ve got some proof, just haven’t caught them in the act,” I explain, filling him in on the drama so far, up to and including what’s just happened today.
His look turns serious, and he doesn’t want us opening any of the envelopes.
“This is a police matter now, son,” he says gravely, advising me to bag everything up, including Phoebe’s phone, and take it to the authorities and let them do their job.
“You really think that’ll solve anything?” Phoebe pipes in, sounding underwhelmed. Sarcastic even, which makes me smile to myself.
My dad takes a long breath in, and examines Phoebe from head to toe before settling his eyes on Trixie, like he can see things nobody else can, he gives his own verdict.
“Probably not,” he admits. “But I figured you’d be too rattled to try and handle this on your own, even with an old fart like me helping out,” he adds with a solemn look he shares in my direction.
“It’s dangerous son. Probably illegal and no doubt, there’ll be nothing but trouble if we try and handle this ourselves let alone if we’re caught exacting our own brand of justice.” He warns us both.
“How soon can you start?” Phoebe asks, and my dad’s smile broadens.
“You’ve picked a good egg there, Max. A clever girl indeed,” he observes, bowing in front of Phoebe like she’s suddenly royalty.
“Arthur Bear, of Three Bears Locksmiths, Ms. Gold. Or should I call you Ms. Goldie Locks with that hair, at your service.” He smiles.
If he wasn’t so sincere, so genuine, I might feel embarrassed. But my dad makes me proud and I know it sets Phoebe’s mind at ease too, knowing that with two Bears helping her out, we all stand a better chance of success.
“First things first,” the old man announces. “We’ll need to lure whoever it is back here and make sure we catch them in the act.”
I feel my head shaking straight away. “I won’t put Phoebe in harm’s way Dad,” I warn him and he agrees.
“Of course you won’t, that’s why I’m going to stay here with her and you’re going to be the one doing the real luring and the catching. There are security cameras in my van in the back alley, and the two-way radios,” he says casually.
“Sounds like you’ve got some setting up to do, and I’d be quick about it if you’re gonna have time to meet the owner across the street, fix his lock, and be seen leaving here alone too,” he adds with a wink.
“But I thought-” I start to ask.
“I’m with Phoebe, remember. I have to stay here. You’ll have to get moving. Something tells me once whoever it is thinks she’s back here and all alone, they’ll be back before you can blink.”
I think I get his plan, but I don’t like it. Then again, if there’s anyone in the whole world I can trust with Phoebe apart from Trixie or myself, it would have to be my dad.
He’s a lot smaller than me, but he’s the man who taught me to look after myself long before I grew bigger than he is.
He’s also the one person I’m sure could still kick my ass if he wanted to as well.
“Alright Dad, but I’m not over the moon about this,” I grumble.
I look over to Phoebe, who seems to be instantly on side with my dad. Even Trixie’s looking adoringly at the old man.
“Fine,” I tell them all, “but if nobody shows by nightfall, we’re going to the police.” I threaten them both, knowing that my dad’s right. Feeling in my gut that his plan is way better than anything I could have done on the fly. But it all hinges on whoever it is returning to the scene of the crime once they think Phoebe’s here all alone.
Assuming they even see me leave and decide to bother her again.
Phoebe seems to relax instantly, offering my dad a soda. Even switches on the TV and sets herself down with Trixie to watch as my dad stops me at the door as I’m about to leave.
I want to kiss Phoebe goodbye, but feel self-conscious around the old man.