“I talked to Dad about a lot of things. Each of our gifts, yours in particular. I wanted to be prepared.”
“Why mine in particular?”
“Because I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. And I knew it would be me and Jean who made sure you got through it.”
It was sweet. And a little annoying that she thought I couldn’t handle it.
“I can handle this. It just caught me off guard.”
The lights of a pickup truck swung past us, and the truck parked on the side of the road behind us.
“Company?” I tried to get a good look through the rain-stained window.
“Boyfriend.”
“You have a boyfriend?”
“No. You do.”
And sure enough, that was Ryder’s truck. He got out and, with a drink carrier balanced in one hand, walked around the back of the cruiser to rap his knuckles on Myra’s window.
She rolled down the window.
“Didn’t I make myself clear, Mr. Bailey?” She was in full cop-mode. “This is a police matter. I need you to evacuate the area.”
“Since I’m not sworn in yet, I’m bringing coffee in a non-official capacity.” He smiled and lifted the cups. “I thought you and Delaney could use it. Is she okay?”
I opened the door and stepped out. “I’m fine.” My teeth chattered as cold rain hit my bare skin.
He held out one of the coffees and jiggled it.
I couldn’t help but smile.
“Thanks.” I wrapped my fingers around the paper cup and took a gulp. “This is police business, Ryder. You’re not on the clock.”
“I’m here as a concerned citizen, nothing more. I heard it’s about Heim? Is he okay?”
Myra got out of the car and snagged up the other coffee on her way to the trunk.
“Who have you been talking to?” I asked. Myra handed me a jacket and I practically crawled into it. It was too big for me, but the flannel interior felt wonderful on my bare arms and shoulders.
“I’ve got a scanner,” he said. “Heard Jean talking to the EMTs she sent out here. Also heard the bay master. They’re bringing in theGulltoppr.”
TheGulltopprwas Heimdall’s boat.
“When we need an amateur detective,” Myra said, “we’ll call you.”
“I wouldn’t say no to that,” he said amiably. “If it comes with a cool hat and magnifying glass. Although a badge and gun sounds like a lot more fun.”
Myra squared off to him. “If you get in my way, Ryder Bailey, I will lock you up for obstruction.”
He held up both hands and took three steps back. “I’ll stay at a distance. I’ll even keep other people at a distance if they show up. I know how to stay out of the way.”
“Really?” she asked.
He tucked his hands into his coat pockets. “Most of the time, yes. Although, now that you mention it, I wouldn’t say it’s a strength of mine.”
I snorted a chuckle into my coffee cup.
