The change in his stubborn expression is infinitesimal, but I take it as encouragement.
“I’ll check if Doug and Arno can put me up for a few days, if you could look after Ragnar.I don’t think dogs are allowed.”
Douglas McShire and Arno Nobel are the couple who run The Carriage House, a large turn-of-the-century farmhouse converted into a bed-and-breakfast on the outskirts of town.I could hole up there for a few days, make my phone calls, get my bearings, and figure out what the best move forward is with the least amount of damage.
“Where’s the compromise?”he questions before I have a chance to finish.
I give him a pointed look before I continue.
“Doug dropped by Strange Brew about a month ago, mentioning how Roy and his crew were installing a security system at The Carriage House.He got the full package with alarms, cameras inside and out, and twenty-four-hour monitoring,” I share.
I observe him as he processes the information and slowly nods.
“That would work, but I still don’t like letting you out of my sight,” he grumbles.
“Letting me out of your sight?”I echo with a hefty dose of sarcasm.“May I kindly remind you I am an adult and, although I’ve made my own decisions since I turned eighteen, I’m willing to take your opinions into consideration because I know you care.But don’t mistake me for a doormat.”
His lips press together, but the fine laugh lines deepen at the corners of his eyes.
“You?A doormat?Never,” he grumbles.
Then he slides his hands on either side of my neck and pulls me closer, dropping his forehead to mine.
“I worry,” he adds on a whisper.
I curl my hands around his wrists.“I know.I wouldn’t be standing here otherwise.”
Hugo
“What wouldanyone want with her phone bills, anyway?”KC mutters beside me.
Exactly my first thought when Bess pointed out she had a file folder containing that information missing from the small filing cabinet in her bedroom.But when we discovered an agenda she kept in her desk drawer downstairs with mostly information on her suppliers, the deliveries, as well as her employees, schedules, and more of that kind of stuff was missing as well, a possible objective emerged.
“Her contacts,” I clarify for KC.“They took her laptop, her phone bills, and her agenda.If they’re looking for someone they think she’s communicating with, it could be in any one of those things.”
It made sense and, taking into account who was blowing up Bess’s phone just a few nights ago, I’m pretty sure who is up to his neck in this.The timing of all this is such, I’m convinced she knows too, not that she shared that with me.
I was going to bring up her brother when we got back to my place, but instead she ended up at The Carriage House.Alone.My little dust-up outside the coffee shop yesterday afternoon had her calmly set me straight, resulting in my concession to her alternate plan.She didn’t raise her voice, but the message was heard loud and clear.
Boy, did she tell me.
I’d been so busy worrying about Bess, so focused on keeping her safe, I didn’t think of the risk it might pose to my son.She reminded me.So even though I wasn’t a fan of leaving her at the bed-and-breakfast by herself, after talking to Roy, who reassured me she’d be covered, I felt pretty comfortable she’d be safe there.
Unfortunately, it also means that right now, I feel compelled to share a few things with my colleagues I am fairly certain Bess won’t be happy about.
We’re in the large meeting room at the sheriff’s station, where Savvy called a briefing this morning on the break-in and fire at the coffee shop.Rick Althof is leading, going over all the details of the case.
“That’s right,” he confirms my comments to KC.“This suspect is looking for someone and hoping to find answers in the stuff he took.”
“So why set the fire?”KC persists.
“As a message,” I offer.“A taunt, knowing the person they’re trying to find has a close enough connection to Bess to draw them out in the open.”
Savvy, who is standing on the opposite side, suddenly leans forward and plants her fists on the table.Her narrowed eyes focus on me.
“What are you suggesting?”
“I think we need to look into Bess’s brother, Ken.”
