CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Dad, this is Charlotte Fleming Cooper,” Sully said, never having felt so proud to introduce a female friend to his father. “She is the Coopers’ first cousin and goes by Charley.”
“I’ve heard great things about her from Chloe, saw the two of you, and stopped to introduce myself,” Owen Custis said and looked at Charley. “Chloe’s husband, Derek, used to work with me as a deputy sheriff. Now I work with him and his Percherons. Anyway, today Chloe stopped in the stables while I was there and told me all about you,” Sully’s father said and smiled at Charley. With gray hair and a mustache, his dad was only about an inch shorter than Sully and somewhat stouter. “Charley, they are so happy to have you as part of their family. It’s my pleasure to meet you.”
“Thank you, Sheriff Custis,” Charley said and extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’m just plain ol’ Owen, now,” he said humbly as they shook.
“I’ve heard great things about you too,” Charley said. “From my cousins and your son.”
“Sully’s a good son,” his dad said with a beaming smile at him. Sully was proud of his father and glad for the chance tointroduce him to Charley. Owen said, “If you two haven’t had lunch, let me treat you. I was on my way to Coopers’ Lodge.”
“That’s where we’re headed,” Sully said.
“I’d love that,” Charley said and smiled at Owen.
As they were going three separate ways after lunch, they each drove their own vehicle and met up at Triple C Ranch-East. Once they were inside the Lodge and seated at a window table, they were given water and menus. Tracy Cooper spotted them, and when she made her way over to them, Charley stood and gave her a hug. Tracy told them the specials of the day and left them to visit among themselves.
“Chloe said you live in Old Colorado City,” Owen said with a slight frown of concern.
“Yes, I own a duplex and flower shop on Colorado Avenue,” Charley replied.
“There’s a serial killer on the loose in your neighborhood,” Owen said without hesitation. “The pressure to catch him is immense. The Colorado Springs Police Department has their best detective in charge.”
“Yes, Burt Groves,” Sully said. “We met him, and he said to tell you hello.”
“Burt’s the best,” Owen said with a nod. “I’m sorry about your mother, Charley.”
“Thank you,” Charley said.
“Your mother’s death doesn’t fit the Cave Killer’s method of operation. Derek and I agree that there are two killers on the loose,” Owen said, like the former sheriff he was. “We also agree that you fit the profile of the Cave Killer’s victims, Charley.”
“Yes, Sully has pointed out that same fact.”
“The difference, of course, being you were attacked in your home and the other young women were found down in the caves except for the last victim,” Owen said. “If the killer thinks he threw the police off by dumping that woman in the trash, hedidn’t. DNA is being collected, and I believe it will tie him to the other stranglings. In any event, Groves and the CSPD are doing everything they can to catch the killer, including uniformed and plain-clothed cops patrolling the area.”
“Charley is staying with me for a while,” Sully said just as Tracy came back to them with a basket of buttery rolls. “To be on the safe side.”
“Good!” Tracy said, having heard and standing next to Charley. “That makes me feel better. Cash and the others will be happy to hear that too. Will y’all be at Chloe and Derek’s Halloween party?”
“I will be,” Owen said. “Sully and Charley?”
“Charley packed a costume. I have my usual costume, so we’ll be there.”
“Excellent,” Tracy said. “See you then, if not before.”
Tracy squeezed Charley’s shoulder and left them to their conversation. The subject of murder transitioned into more pleasant topics, and lunch was served by one of the waitstaff. Charley and his dad had hit it off, and a good deal of the talking was between the two of them as they got to know each other. Sully smiled. Man, if this, too, didn’t feel right. After consuming their three specials, his dad grabbed the check before Sully could, and they walked out to their vehicles. Owen gave Charley a hug and Sully a pat on the back. After getting into his truck, with a wave, Owen was gone.
“Remind me where you’re heading from here,” Sully said as he and Charley stood in the open door of the Jeep.
“To the grocery store,” the gorgeous girl said with a heart-stopping smile as her blue eyes sparkled up at him. “I’m going to cook dinner at the cabin.”
“Am I invited?”
“You’re the guest of honor.”
Sully grinned. “You’re going to King Soopers or Walmart in Black Forest, right? Not into Old Colorado City?”
