The Perfect Obsession (Jessie Hunt #42)

PROLOGUE

Caroline Sheffield tried not to get agitated.

After a long day at work and a tiresome business dinner with a demanding executive, she was already more frustrated than usual. And then to find the front door of her Hancock Park home slightly open? That was beyond irritating.

As she stepped inside, she didn’t know who to blame. Was it her housekeeper, Rania, who was notorious for forgetting to lock the door when she left, but usually at least shut it all the way?

Or was it one of the painters who’d started work today, sprucing up the front of the house for when she put it on the market next month?

She’d kept it for this long out of nostalgia, but with the divorce, she no longer needed a place this big.

She and her ex, Jordy, had used these painters before, and they had a bad habit of leaving the front door open after borrowing the bathroom.

Whoever it was, she was going to have some words with someone tomorrow.

As she stepped inside and locked the door behind her, she felt anxiety rise in her gut. Even though she was a successful marketing executive, she still hated conflict. She didn’t want to ream out anyone, not Rania nor the painters.

Jordy used to be the heavy in these situations. But he wasn’t around anymore, and this was her home, with lots of valuable—in some cases irreplaceable—items. Besides, after her last conversation with him, she didn’t want his help, even if he offered.

It was only at that moment that Caroline considered the possibility that someone might have already taken advantage of the open door to rob the place.

The foyer looked untouched. But instead of going straight into the living room to relax, she did a walkthrough of the other rooms just to make sure.

Everything seemed to be in the right place.

Satisfied, she went to the kitchen for a glass of water, then settled in on the living room couch.

She’d been making a concerted effort to do more reading lately, rather than just fritter away her evenings, doomscrolling.

And even though it was almost 10 PM and she was tired, she decided to at least read a few pages.

She took a sip of water, then picked up the book from the coffee table and settled back into the couch, trying to get as cozy as she could. After a moment, she could feel her whole body unclench. She sighed happily.

She read for a minute and was just about to turn the page when a shadow passed over the book. She started to glance over her shoulder when she saw movement. Something swung over her head suddenly and then came up under her chin.

She was about to scream. But before she could, something tightened around her neck. As it began constricting her throat, she realized that it was her own pink scarf. Her eyes started to water. She heard herself gag as she fully realized what was happening.

She was being choked.