“What are you doing?” she shouted. “Leave now, or I’ll call the police!”
The two fled, but she found empty beer bottles in the bushes. That night, she couldn’t sleep, fearing they might return. The next day, she had new locks and security cameras installed.
Just after midnight, a loud crash outside woke her. She rushed to the monitors but realized the camera sound was muted. Peeking through the kitchen curtain, she spotted two masked figures in the yard—one was tampering with her garage camera. They were back.
Instead of hiding, Evelyn grabbed Howard’s photo and began speaking aloud, pretending he was there.
“Oh, Howard, do you remember the gold watch and the silver flute in the garage closet? The ones from your grandfather and great-great-grandfather?”
Outside, the thieves listened. Hearing about the supposed valuables, they moved toward the garage.
Evelyn took action. With pepper spray, spare keys, and Howard’s old baseball bat, she quietly slipped into the garage through the back. Just as the burglars entered, she sprayed them both and slammed the metal shutter down. One tried to lift it, but she locked it shut.
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