“No, he hasn’t.”
“Who is he looking into?”
“No one, but I’ll let your Sammie tell you the rest. She, at least, clued me in before all of this went down.”
“Clued you in to what?”
He makes a twisted mouth and says, “I’m tired, and I want my gift.”
“Tim took my gift bag.” My shoulders sag as if someone let out all the air from my lungs. Who could have tried to kill Grandpa, and what did Sammie clue him in on beforehand? Did she turn on me?
“Then let me sit on your lap and ask for one.” His eyes glint. “Not literally on your lap, but come close so I can whisper in Santa’s ear.”
I lean into him and kiss his cheek, then tilt my head to listen.
“Santa, what I want is for you to find your Mrs. Claus by next Christmas, and that you two make the midnight dogsled ride every year in my honor.”
~ Sammie ~
I’m tired of fidgeting and being watched by the junior officer. He follows me everywhere, from the refrigerator to outside the bathroom. Meanwhile, the sheriff is taking his time speaking to the entire family, and the ones who are done are watching the football game—although there are no cheers, even when Ben makes a big play.
Face it. This Christmas is in ruins, and the sheriff is dampening all the cheer out of the air.
Don’t get me wrong. I, too, want to find the person who tried to take Poppy’s life. I don’t trust anyone, and I’m putting my money on Lindsay.
She has a shady background. She could be doing it under the direction of her mobster husband. In fact, she has the motive and opportunity. She also could have gotten extra morphine from Erica, who seems to have disappeared. Why isn’t Sheriff Lane putting out an APB for the absent home health aide?
Seth says she didn’t go into town with them at all, but he saw her hike back toward the ranch house. If so, where is she? Hiding like an axe murderer in the woodshed?
I exit the bathroom and run into Seth.
Rolling my eyes, I chide him. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’re stalking me.”
“I’m watching you. Big difference.” He blushes for no reason whatsoever.
“Were you listening to me think through the door?”
“No, ma’am.” His face is all shades of red. I wonder why.
“Since it’s Christmas and all that, you must be missing your family. Sucks that you have to spend it watching me.”
“I called my mom already.” He shrugs. “She misses me, true, but catching a murderer is more important.”
I laugh as annoyingly as I can. “You’re so young and idealistic. By now, you probably know I’ve been in the pen, the hoosegow, the big house, the pokey, and the clink.”
“At least you’re out this Christmas, and then you have to go ruin it.”
“Actually, I’m innocent until proven guilty.” I hold out my hand, expecting him to comply. “How about you give me my phone so I can call my mom? You got to call your mom. Shouldn’t I get to call mine?”
“Sheriff Lane ordered me to keep your phone.”
“Then you call my mom and let me talk to her. You can hold on to it. Would that work?” I flash him a smart-aleck grin. “Come on, it’s Christmas, and I’ve not seen my mom the entire time I was incarcerated.”
“She never visited you?” His eyes widen, and the two dots on his cheek are redder than ever.
“No, and I’m betting she doesn’t expect me to call. She’s probably busy at the restaurant, yelling at my stepdad to cook faster, but hey, at least give me a chance.”
I don’t actually know what to say to Mom, but I’m bored, and teasing Seth is the only thing keeping me from biting off all my fingernails.
