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Desiree doesn’t have a clue who’s doing this.”
    â€œHas anything else happened to make her feel like she’s being stalked? Hang up calls, harassing emails, anyone following her?”
    â€œNot that she’s said.”
    â€œAnyone showing interest in her lately, someone who may be more into her than she realizes?”
    Lia laughed. “That could be anyone. She dates a lot. Strange men are always looking at her.”
    â€œThat could be the problem. Some guy probably thinks she’s out of his league and doesn’t have the stones to approach her. Could be a case of erotomania.”
    â€œEroto-what?”
    â€œErotomania. Usually erotomaniacs are convinced that the person they’re in love with secretly loves them back but for some reason, has to deny it publicly. They feed off unrequited love.”
    â€œThat’s crazy.”
    â€œIt is, it’s a mental disorder. Erotomaniacs usually aren’t dangerous. There are lots of reasons for stalking. If she doesn’t have an angry ex, or if she doesn’t feel threatened by the behavior, it could be someone who’s fixated on her but for some reason, doesn’t know how to have a relationship. In most of those cases, he doesn’t mean her any harm. It could just be a case of terminal shyness and poor judgement.”
    â€œHow do you know so much?”
    â€œPart of the job. Stalking can be hard to define. We have to be able to assess whether or not an actual threat is involved.”
    â€œSo, in Desiree’s case, it may be weird but harmless?”
    â€œI can’t say. I don’t want to make light of it. She should definitely pay attention to the people around her and write down anything strange, document when and where these dolls pop up. What you’ve told me is not a lot to go on.”
    â€œI guess I shouldn’t worry about her too much. She threatened to taser Charlie today.”
    Peter barked a laugh that made all the dogs jump. “I bet he deserved it.”
    â€œHe did.”
    â€œYou can give her Brent’s number. If she’s worried, he’ll be happy to talk to her.”
    â€œWhy not give her your number?”
    â€œUnsolicited attention from the opposite sex is more his territory than it is mine.”
    Lia snorted.

    â€œ C laude left town and it can’t be Al, he’s married,” Desiree said as she dipped a plastic spoon into her tub of artichoke hummus. She made a face. “I’ve got to start bringing my own silverware. I hate the idea of wasting resources. Does anyone realize how much garbage this country creates every day ?”
    â€œFocus, Desiree. Maybe that’s why he can’t say anything. Maybe he’s pining away for you. What’s his wife like?”
    â€œI’ve only met her a few times, but she always gives me the evil eye.”
    â€œYou, the evil eye? What could be the cause of such a phenomenom?” Terry eased down into the chair next to Lia and gingerly tugged his bag of popcorn open, letting out the steam before he offered it to the two women. Tonight he wore “Subduction Leads to Orogeny” splashed across his tee shirt.
    â€œPopcorn, ladies?”
    â€œNo thanks.” Desiree waved off the treat. “Al’s wife is just spooky. She never talks to me. She just keeps staring at me like she thinks I’m going to pocket the silver.” Desiree shuddered. “At least she’s not around much. But I can’t imagine a goldsmith impressing a woman with aluminum foil, can you?”
    â€œMaybe he wants you to appreciate his artistry instead of his materials.” Lia turned to Terry. “We’re trying to figure out who’s leaving the foil men for Desiree. She went out to her car at the beginning of break and found this on her dashboard.” Lia indicated a little silver man sitting cross-legged in the middle of the table, elbows on knees, chin in his cupped hands.