Tripp smirked and grabbed two mugs from his custom-made cabinetry while the coffee percolated, filling the small kitchen with the rich scent of dark roast.That aroma was as much a part of living in the Pacific Northwest as the salty scent of the ocean.But yeah, a ceiling fan in here wouldn’t be amiss.It was hot.
“So, how’s the big job going so far?Solve any murders yet?”he asked.
“Not yet.Got a few missing persons cases that are still active though.Garrett Edgerton’s family is making another big push to find out what happened to him.”
His insides tightened.Rafe had still been living on the mainland when it had all happened.“That right?”Everyone on the island knew that piece of shit’s name.The memory of what he’d done and the aftermath were still fresh for a lot of people around here.“So you’re looking into his case?”
“Will be at some point.Among others.”
“Any leads?”
“Nah.Been too busy getting everything organized in between dealing with drunk and disorderlies, DUIs, and a few simple assaults.Mostly tourists.”
“Yeah?That’s good.”Relief slid through him that Rafe hadn’t been digging around in that particular case.For everyone’s sake.If Tripp never heard Edgerton’s name again, it would be too soon.“What percentage would you say?Tourists to locals.”
Rafe mulled it over for a second.“Seventy-thirty.”
“Good to know most of us locals are still peaceful, law-abiding citizens.”Well.Most of the time.
“What about you?”
He couldn’t help stiffening slightly.“What?”
“Business steady?”
He relaxed.For a moment there he’d thought Rafe meant whether he was law abiding or not.“Oh, yeah.Spring and summer are the busiest times of the year for me.Lots of custom orders coming in to keep me busy.”
Things were so good he was actually thinking about hiring someone else to help him with the basic builds.All the customization and fancy finishing he’d handle himself.Like carving, which he loved and got to do more of these days.“Word of mouth’s been great for marketing.”
“That’s good, considering you barely ever go into town,” Rafe said, his tone dry.
Yeah, well, he had his reasons.And a physical reminder of them every time he looked in the mirror.
“Working on anything special right now?”
“Custom armoire for some rich guy’s wife.He built that new mansion on the bluff at Cedar Point.”
Rafe whistled.“Hope you’re charging him what your time’s really worth.God knows he can afford it.”
“I did.He had the mahogany shipped in from Malaysia.”
“Mahogany?Nice.What’s he do?”
“Something to do with the tech industry.”
“Of course.Big money here in the PNW.”
He poured the coffee.Pressed one of the mugs to the bar of the ice dispenser on the fridge just for fun.A handful of cubes tumbled out, splashing coffee over the top.But it was worth the mess to see Rafe’s deadpan expression.“Want some sweet cream to go on top?”
Rafe eyed the mug in disgust.“Sure, why not.You’ve already ruined it.”
“What?How dare you.”He opened the fridge, took out a carton of half and half, poured some, then grabbed a couple sugar packets from the drawer.He sprinkled the contents on top with a flourish, then held out the dripping mug.“There you go, Sheriff.Hand-crafted iced coffee with sweet cream.Even better than Starbucks.”
“Thanks.”Rafe took it, held his gaze defiantly as he sipped.Paused.Then nodded in surprise.“Actually, that’s not bad.Hey, if the whole finish carpentry thing doesn’t work out, maybe you could get hired as a barista at one of the cafés in town.Make all those fancy frappamachinos you mentioned.”
Tripp grinned and picked up his own mug of hot, black coffee.The way it was meant to be enjoyed.“Not a fucking chance.”He took a sip.Savored the aroma and feel of it sliding down his throat.
Rafe didn’t say anything as he continued sipping his iced coffee.A sure sign that something was on his mind.
