“Okay. Keep it that way if you speak to him again.”
My head bobbed. That was fine. I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the investigation. “I will.” I held up my hands. “You can tell him whatever you think you need to.”
A crooked smile lifted one side of his mouth. “Yep. He and I are going to have a talk in just a little while. Have you heard anything else about Shuman or Moira around town? I know people like to gossip.”
“Not really, no. People talk, but it’s all been speculation about what happened.” I narrowed my eyes, sensing he knew more than he let on. “Why? Have you?”
Wariness crept into his expression, and I knew my instincts were right.
I quirked an eyebrow and crossed my arms. “You might as well spill. I might be able to point you toward more information. At the very least, I can keep my ears open for someone who might know more.”
His mouth pursed. After a couple of seconds, he responded. “Ellis mentioned that a couple of the old-timers down at the docks remembered hearing about a young woman asking questions about some waterfront property way back when. I’m not sure if they’re just making stuff up or if Moira was actually going around asking things. He was going to try to get more out of them, but he’s the new kid on the block, so they don’t open up to him the way they do others.”
“Well, if anyone can get them to talk, it’s him.” Ozzie’s brother, Ellis, recently left the Coast Guard to take up the role of commercial fishing boat captain. He was also quite the charmer. “Maybe tell him to talk to the men’s wives.” I grinned.
Ozzie chuckled. “That’s not a bad idea.” With a small jerk of his head, he indicated we should exit the office. “Can I get a couple cups of coffee to go?”
I arched an eyebrow as I headed for the door. “Buttering Rich up, are you?”
A full-fledged grin broke out on his face. “Possibly. You catch more flies with honey, you know.”
I chuckled. “I’ve said for a long time that coffee is the nectar of the gods.”
“That’s the truth. It’s a cop’s saving grace too.”
“For cops and for a lot of other people.” I pushed through the swinging door to the main shop. The line was still stretched tothe door. Quickly, I filled two coffee cups and snapped lids on them before slipping them into sleeves and sliding them across the counter to him. “Here you go. Now scram so I can get back to work.” I smiled, softening my words.
His mouth tipped up as he passed me a ten-dollar bill. “Keep the change. And keep your ears open.”
Nodding, I put the money in the tip jar, which would get divvied up amongst my employees at the end of the day. It wasn’t worth making the change for the coffee. And heaven knew Ozzie and Claire already spent enough of their money in my coffeeshop.
Lifting a hand in farewell, Ozzie left.
The moment he disappeared, I dove back into filling orders, helping Kayla and the others deal with the rush. It took another thirty-five minutes until only one customer remained in line.
Ready for a break and a drink of water, I pasted what I hoped was a sunny smile on my face and stared up at the imposing man at the register. “Toren, right?”
Surprise lit in his dark eyes for a moment, then he nodded. “Yes. You have a good memory.”
“You’re a hard man to forget.” My cheeks colored as I realized how that sounded. “Sorry. I just meant you’re, well…” I trailed off, gesturing to his size.
An amused smile lifted his full lips, turning him from handsome to gorgeous. If I weren’t already half in love with Luke, I’d probably flirt my heart out.
“I get that a lot,” he said.
I chuckled. “I bet you do. So, what can I get you? Black coffee is what you ordered last time, right?”
“Yes. But I think this time I’d like to try your cappuccino. A large, please.”
I nodded once. “Coming right up.” I tapped the register screen and read off his total. He tapped his card on the reader.Once the sale was complete, I turned away and grabbed a cup, then started the espresso.
“So, you’re the lady who found the body in the wall next door, aren’t you?”
My heart sank. Was he just another gossiper, looking for the latest juicy details? “I am,” I said, my voice curt.
“Who’s handling the case? Is it just the local PD? I’m new to the area, so I don’t really know anyone.”
Brows knitting together, I glanced back. Why would he ask that? “We have a detective on the force. He’s in charge. Why?”
