Noel’s brother, Simon, had gone missing a few years ago and never been found.
“It’s been hard on my mother, you see.”
“Completely understand how it would be, Noel, and I promise Chief Blake will be in touch if there is any news concerning you.”
Noel nodded, then left.
Jack let out a long, slow breath. “I can’t imagine what that would be like. I mean, if Joe or Luke went missing, I’m not sure I’d ever stop looking. To know they were out there somewhere dead or alive would be a kind of hell, Fin.”
“It would.” Fin watched Noel until he disappeared. “I’m going up again in the morning. Hopefully I’ll find something then.”
“I’ll go up later,” Jack said. “Anyway, bud, I need to go. Nice as this has been, Pip is making me breakfast at Phil’s, and it will be cold.” Jack slapped him hard on the shoulder. “Don’t turn into an icicle during your midlife crisis out there on the open road.”
“I’m not middle aged!” Fin howled, outraged.
Jack just winked and ran across the street. Fin hoped he hit a patch of ice and landed on his ass. His luck was out.
Chapter8
He got on his bike and rolled slowly out of town; the ride would clear his head. He was still feeling unsettled and pissed off and told himself this was the left over remnants from seeing his father again. He had bought the Harley because he’d always wanted one, but his friends were right. It had also been a distraction. A way to deal with what he didn’t want to face.
Looking at the mountains, he thought there wasn’t anywhere else he’d rather live than here. The scenery was spectacular. But this place was more to Fin. It was in his blood. Okay, at the moment that blood was set at a steady simmer, but that was his father’s doing.
The wind was icy on his cheeks, but the helmet and scarf he wore along with his leather jacket kept him warm. His thoughts returned to Maggs.
What was the woman’s deal? Something had changed inside her, given her fear, he just didn’t know what. She’d always been fiery and fierce, but never scared. She was that now.
As if he’d conjured her up, there she was on the side of the road. The hood of her car was raised, and she was standing staring down at the engine when he stopped. She narrowed her eyes at him. Fin realized she didn’t recognize him, so he took off his helmet.
“Nice bike. It suits you.”
“Big and mean?” Fin asked, getting off.
“Hard-assed with silver highlights.”
“I’m not entirely sure that’s a compliment. But I found a gray hair the other day, actually. It was a bitch to pull out.” He walked toward her, taking in the black jeans, boots, and a green jacket buttoned to her neck. The only vibrant color was in her cheeks. They were pink. Maggs always wore color; it was her trademark. He searched for it, but didn’t find any. Another change.
“Pip says when you visit your family, which you did just before I returned home, you always do something reckless. Is that your reckless streak from this visit?” She nodded at his bike.
“I don’t do reckless things, and I’ve always wanted a bike like this,” he said calmly. If he got riled up, that would simply confirm her belief she was right.
“Okay, if you say so.” Her eyes told him she was doubtful.
“I do say so.”
“Okay.”
“Look,” he gritted out. “I wanted this bike, end of story.”
Her smile made him want to shake her. “If you say so,” she said with an annoying smile.
Fin only just managed to bite back the words ‘I do say so.’
“Okay, but if you feel an irrational urge to buy anything after another visit, there’s this really nice pair of brown leather boots in Letty’s. She’s holding them for me.”
He barked out a laugh. “I’ll try and remember that. So what’s the deal with your car?”
“It just stopped.”
