She sounded like a manipulator even to herself.
And maybe in that way she was much more like her mother than she’d ever want to admit to anyone, especially herself. But she wasn’t harming anyone. Hiding the truth or taking down careers.
She could learn everything about theSpecter’s Bountyand hopefully talk to Evelyn Monroe all while finding out who was behind the attack, and that would be a win-win for everyone.
Cressida cleaned up, putting on her least-wrinkled blouse and jeans. She’d be riding a motorcycle, so no point in wearing the one dress she’d packed. She brushed her crazy hair that she could never get under control, then finally gave up.
Staring in the mirror, she scrutinized her face. She’d never worn makeup and preferred her freckles to be in full view.
A text came through on her cell, surprising her. LikeBraden had said—sometimes you got lucky. Cressida didn’t recognize the number, but she passed her card out frequently and expected unknown numbers.
8:30 at the Sea Reaper. Daughter of Alaric Dane deserves answers. I’ll give you half an hour. Captain Diggins.
I’ll be there.
Heart pounding, she smiled to herself. But it was strange. Dad’s notes didn’t reflect that he’d spoken with Diggins. How did this man know Alaric Dane was her father? Though she was pleased with the news, the way he stated she deserved answers made her wonder if she even knew the right questions to ask.
14
The only time he hated the low rumble of his Ducati was when he navigated along the woodsy, serene private road of Cedar Trails Lodge. Patrons visited this region to escape the rest of the world. Remi—through Evelyn Monroe’s direction—even insisted that her husband, Hawk Beckett, operate his helicopter-tour package out of Forestview, though it was part of the lodge’s offerings.
Guests came for the sounds of nature—wind, rain, and crashing waves—nothing more.
Braden was unapologetic as he pulled into a parking spot.
Unfortunately, he had no news to deliver to Cressida regarding the identity or capture of her attacker or discovery of her missing laptop. But through his connections, he’d learned that her father had been hit by a taxi while crossing the street. That wasn’t a fact Cressida expected to hear from him. She had to know that already. But what he couldn’t figure out was why Octavia thought her ex-husband’s death was suspicious. Braden was waiting on the report from the ME for more information about Alaric’s cause of death, because there was more to this story.
Sliding off his bike, he removed his helmet and set it next to the extra one he’d brought for Cressida. He didn’t think Sheriff Thatcher would approve, but who was Braden to turn down such an adventurous proposition.
Cressida had nailed it when she mentioned that Braden was an unconventional detective.
You have no idea.
He was fortunate he even had a legitimate reason to spend time with Cressida due to the investigation into her attacker. At the end of the day, Cressida was his whole purpose for being here, and if he had to ignore professional etiquette—like having dinner, taking her on his motorcycle—he would do what had to be done.
He was beyond caring about decorum.
Take that, Octavia.
He would do whatever it took to protect Cressida from unknown danger potentially related to her father’s research because he was here in this situation under peculiar circumstances, and he could get no definite answers from her mother.
Striding toward the lodge, he adjusted his leather jacket.
All good reasons to be here. But ... maybe he was here for himself too. In fact, he’d be here if for no other reason than to take this woman for a ride on his bike. His better self warned him...
Get answers and get out. That’s your only play here,dude.
He entered the lodge and glanced around the mostly empty place. Everyone was outside enjoying what remained of this glorious day. The kind of day created for the perfect bike ride. Remi smiled and approached from behind the registration counter.
“Detective.” She emphasized his title.
Was she onto him? Thinking he might be personally interested in Cressida? Did she, too, believe he was playingwith fire? “Remi. Any news on Cressida’s interview with Mrs. Monroe?”
“It’s Cressida now, is it, Detective?” She blinked in a sarcastic way.
Braden said nothing to that. She might twist anything he could say into something else. He was obviously already in trouble. He glanced up the stairway.Where is she?Then looked back to Remi to wait for her answer.
“No. She’s out of town, according to her new assistant, Madeline Chase.”
