“Hello, Tyler,” June greeted him after Holt did.
Mina followed, “Hello, June, what a lovely surprise.” She walked up to Holt and kissed his cheek. “Hello, son, I wasn’t expecting you back quite so soon.”
“I just came back to fetch something,” Holt told her. “We’re heading back to the police station now.”
“Oh,” Mina said. “When can we expect you back?” She looked at him questioningly. “Will you be home for dinner?”
“Actually,” Holt glanced at June. “We’ve been invited to Willa’s place for a barbecue.”
“That’s wonderful,” Mina said, turning toward June. “What can I bring?”
“Just yourselves.” She glanced at the dog by her feet. “And Duchess. I’m sure Blaze would love to have some company, too.”
A few minutes later, they were heading back toward the police station when a thought occurred to June, and she turned toward Holt.
"You didn't finish explaining about the cameras," June said, glancing at the box on the floor by her feet.
Holt was quiet for a moment. "In order to find out what is going on in the police station, I plan to install cameras in the evidence lockup, my office, and Rad’s office.” His jaw clenched. “And I might install one near Tom’s office too.”
“Why?” June asked, alarmed. “I hope you don’t suspect Tom?”
“At the moment,” Holt told her, “I have to suspect everyone. While I don’t want to, we have to remember how Clive covered for Victoria. Clive is Tom’s son, and as parents, I think we can both appreciate the lengths we’d go to protect our kids.”
“You’re right,” June agreed, realizing she was being too emotional as Tom was a good friend. “So you’re going to install the cameras so we can find out if someone on the inside of thepolice force is either behind the incidents and fire or working for them.”
"That's the idea. If someone is stealing evidence, we need to know who and when." Holt kept his hand steady on the wheel. “While I’m installing them, I need you and Rad to create a distraction. One that will keep the entire office occupied so I can put them up without anyone knowing.”
June thought about it. "We need to stop at Teacups. I think some of Margo’s Caramel Vanilla fudge swirl cupcakes and donuts, along with a meeting in the conference room for the entire department, may do the trick.”
Holt's mouth quirked upward. "Excellent idea. While you distract the staff with sugar, I can work on the cameras."
As they approached downtown Sandpiper Shores, June had another thought. "Can we stop by the fire station first? I haven’t told Willa about the barbecue yet.”
Holt's expression shifted into something warmer, more personal. “You have a habit of inviting people to barbecues and letting the host know at the last minute.” He laughed. “Do you remember the summer of your fifteenth birthday party? We were supposed to go to the movies, but you decided to have a barbecue instead.”
“Oh, yes!” June said her eyes widening at the memory. “We rocked up at my father’s holiday home here in Sandpiper Shores with everyone with us.”
They laughed at the shared memory.
“At least you’re giving Willa a couple of hours' notice,” Holt pointed out.
June grinned, climbing out of the car and heading into the building.
The fire station was busy with the usual afternoon activity, and June didn’t get far when her daughter appeared in front of her.
"Mom," Willa said, tilting her head slightly to look out the door. June turned and saw what she was looking at. Holt sitting in Carmen’s car. "Is everything all right?"
"Everything's fine," June assured her quickly. "I just wanted to let you know that…”
“You invited everyone we know in Sandpiper Shores to a barbecue at my house tonight?” Willa finished for her, crossing her arms and staring at her mother accusingly.
“Yes, that,” June said and shook her head. “Who told you?”
“I ran into Lucy a little while ago,” Willa told her. “I was surprised that there was a barbecue planned at my house, but… you know what? I’m actually looking forward to it.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart, I should’ve called you first,” June said. “But it all happened rather fast.”
“It’s fine, Mom,” Willa assured her. “I want you to relax while you’re here, and my home is your home.”
