Dean, Mav, and Tay are busy repairing some equipment inside, while Brock is frying something up on the stove. I raise a hand at him as I walk past to my office, then close the door and call Rhys.
“The legend himself. How’s it going? Have you found a new chief, Chief?”
“I’m still the chief. Not ready to give up yet.”
“You know we’re all dying to get you more involved over here, Atlas. For a town celebrity, you’re surprisingly good at undercover work.”
I smile. “That’s because it’s the last thing people expect. Quick question. Your girlfriend’s sister, Hailey. My tenant. Is there anything I should know?”
He chuckles. “Hailey’s a handful. Kinda distracted. Nice girl, though. You interested?”
“I’m asking for professional reasons, Rhys. She seemed a little scared of something.”
“Probably a big scary lug like you bothering her…”
“I’m her landlord. I need to fix her dryer. Seriously man, can you ask Sienna if there’s anything I can do? She was jumpy as a bunny.”
“Sure. Sienna’s a little protective about Hailey. I don’t know if she’d tell me if it was some big secret she’s sworn to keep. But if I find out, I’ll text you.”
“Thanks. See you later.”
Brock brings me a plate. “You alright there, Chief?”
I look up at him and nod. He sets the plate in front of me and walks out, shutting the door quietly behind him. Of all the guys here, Brock knows me best. He’s the one who’s my first pick to lead the department when I go part-time. Cool in a crisis; I’ve never seen him razzed up. Amongst a bunch of hotheads, he stands out. Unfortunately, the decision about who to appoint as chief isn’t all mine.
I start looking through the applications for my position, but I’m distracted. There’s a big difference between admiring my neighbor from a distance and meeting her in person.
What’s her story? And why do I want to know everything about her?
Chapter Three
HAILEY
My phone beeps when I’m almost back home. It carries on beeping as I try to get it out of my pocket without dropping the dog leads.
There are five dogs with me today, four from private clients and one from the shelter. As usual, Huggy’s been the worst behaved. Even though he’s a small terrier, he acts like he’s the alpha dog in the pack. He’s meant to be adopted by a celebrity influencer who’s making an appearance at the shelter fundraising event. She hasnoidea what she’s letting herself in for.
I walk the dogs in the woods at the back of my house once I’ve picked them up from around town. It’s raining again and I stand under a big tree for shelter to check my phone.
Unknown number: Hello Hailey.
Unknown number: I have some good news for you.
Unknown number: I’m moving to Snowflake Falls. I miss you too much, darling. And I know once you see me every day, you’ll realize what a terrible mistake you made. I’m willing to forgive you, but you have a lot of making up to do.
Unknown number: It’s Lenny, in case you haven’t guessed.
My mouth goes dry, my head spins and I have to put my hands on my knees for support. I bend over, breathing fast, my eyes squeezed tightly shut. The moment I think my luck has turned,thishappens. I take a deep breath, trying to process what I’ve just read. Lenny could just be trying to freak me out. He’s done that before. But, he might also be serious.
I straighten up, wanting to get back indoors. I’m too exposed out here. The hairs on the back of my neck prickle. What if Lenny’s here already? I’m glad Daisy is going to talk to the sheriff. I should have done it a long time ago. I need to be honest with my sister, too. This is starting to scare me.
I walk forward, but I’m missing one of the dogs. Huggy’s leash drags along the ground with his collar attached. I start hollering for him, but he’s nowhere to be seen. He’s a regular Houdini when it comes to running away, but he usually reappears pretty quickly. I walk up and down, calling his name until it’s time to take the other dogs back. I take them back to the car, drive around town to drop them off at their respective homes, and then drive back to my house.
I dump all my stuff in the kitchen. It’s six-thirty and Atlas is meant to be coming to fix the dryer at seven. I scribble a note for him and leave it pinned to the back door, in case I don’t make it back by then.
Half an hour later I’m deep into the woods, shouting Huggy’s name while the last of the daylight fades. I reach into my coat pocket for my phone.
Shit.
