“I’ll see what I can do, but from what I understand, you’re already working with the best of the best.” He sipped loudly at his drink. “You definitely need more muscle on the team. Smudgeon is on his last legs, according to his latest physical.”
She’d have to see about that. While Walter had had some issues during his last assignment in Portland, he’d been helpful during the Snowblood Peak case. “Walter is a good addition to the team. He has experience and knowledge, and he is well versed in procedure.” Was there a way to institute an exercise regimen for the team? Walter wouldn’t like it. “Let me know about possible new hires.”
“I will. I also wanted to give you a heads up about a potential political issue.”
Laurel groaned. “Also send me somebody who can deal with potential political issues. That is not my forte.”
“I’m well aware. The head of the Seattle field office is making waves because I’m thinking about creating this unit in Genesis Valley, and I might appoint you the lead. He wanted the new unit to run out of Seattle, under his command. His problem is that the last case was too close to you, considering your half sister and all. So as long as she’s not involved in any other cases and you keep it all professional, we’re good.”
Laurel’s chin dropped. “Well, since you mentioned Abigail . . .”
* * *
Laurel slipped across the icy porch with its myriad of wind chimes freezing beneath the eaves and stepped into her mother’s warm home. “Mom? I’m home.”
“Dinner is almost ready. I hope you’re hungry,” Deidre called from the kitchen.
“I had a late lunch but could eat again.” Laurel shook off her outerwear and padded in her thick socks through the living room to the kitchen, which was the hub of her mom’s quaint farmhouse. “Something smells delicious. Crock-Pot chili?”
“Yes.” Deidre turned from stirring the fragrant brew to study her daughter. She wore a black yoga outfit with a bright blue jacket, her short blond hair ruffled and her cheeks rosy. “I heard there was a body found by the river today. Is that your case?”
“I take it the media has already caught the story?” Laurel walked to the cupboard to remove water and wine glasses. When her mother didn’t answer, she set the table. “Yes, that’s my case. I don’t know the identity of the victim as of yet, but she was definitely murdered.” It was unnecessary at this juncture to worry her mother by telling her that Abigail Caine might be involved. Again.
Her mom ladled chili into ceramic bowls. “Toppings?” “Cheese and sour cream,” Laurel said, reaching for a bottle of Opus One Cabernet. Her mom might love clipping coupons and saving money, but she had expensive taste in wine.
“Sure. I’ll throw in green onions and my spinach dip just to keep you balanced,” Deidre said, doing just that. She brought the steaming bowls to the round country-style kitchen table and sat. “The news said that Fish and Wildlife was on the scene with the body. You’re not having to work with that Huck Rivers again, are you?”
Laurel sat and sipped her wine, humming at the rich taste as it slid down her throat. “The captain is a good officer, Mom.”
“Huh.” Her mom sampled the chili and then smiled. “Right. I know you had a night with him, and I know he didn’t call you afterward.”
“I didn’t call him either.” Laurel ate some of the chili and let her stomach warm. The spinach dip mellowed out the spices nicely. “He was shot protecting me from a bullet, so I’d think you’d like him a marginal amount.”
Her mom sipped the wine, her green eyes thoughtful. “That’s a good point. I guess taking a bullet for you gives him some cred, even though he hasn’t called. Why haven’t you called him?”
Laurel shrugged. “What would I say?” She truly had no idea. They’d worked a case together, had one night of excellent sex, and then he’d gotten shot as they’d closed the case. She’d spent some time visiting him in the hospital, and they’d seemed to be starting a friendship, but then things had fizzled out. Or rather, she’d headed back to DC to work another case, and he’d disappeared into his lonely cabin in the woods with his dog. “We’re just work colleagues.”
Deidre nodded. “That’s a good thing. No offense, but that man needs saving, and you have no clue how to save a man.”
Laurel chuckled. “No offense taken. Speaking of saving, I saw another dividend was deposited into my account earlier. The holiday sales for your teas must’ve been better then we’d projected.” Laurel had assisted her mother in creating a tea company with a subscription service and owned twenty percent of the business.
“Yes, it was wonderful,” Deidre said happily. “We had a ten percent increase in new subscriptions for the new year. I think the monthly theme of interesting locations and their teas was a great idea. We’ve almost sold out of the extra supply for February, which is a warm turmeric-centered brew based on Zermatt, Switzerland and its excellent skiing mountains.”
Laurel ate more of the spicy chili. “I saw the Switzerland label for the apothecary jars. It’s beautiful.”
“I had Kate’s middle daughter create it. The girl is only fourteen but is incredibly talented.” Deidre finished off her wine. “March’s offering is based on love and Paris, and you should see her mockups.”
Laurel smiled as she remembered the drawings in Val’s notebooks when the kids had worked at the FBI office to help out during the Snowblood murders. “Val is very creative. I’m glad you hired her.”
“Me, too.” Deidre finished her chili. “Also, I’ve been waiting for a good time to talk to you about perhaps finding a permanent place for you to live here on the ranch.” She set her hands on her lap and her eyes sparkled. “I mean, where you could have some privacy but still be close to family. The ranch is a massive property, as you know.”
Laurel pushed her napkin onto the table. “I don’t understand.” She still hadn’t made a decision as to where she wanted to work, and neither had the FBI, so why make plans?
Hope brightened Deidre’s pixie-like face. “Just work with me on this. Remember the old barn over by Rascal Creek? I’ve been thinking of remodeling it and creating a barndominium.”
“A barndominium?”
“Yes. You can help design it, and if you end up not wanting the place, I can use it as a rental for people on retreat. You know. Authors, artists, burned-out lawyers.”
