“I’m good.” He worked two fry pans with ease. “This will be ready in about five minutes.”
Scooting around him, she opened cupboard doors to find plates and cups. She set them on the table, then watched Bear and Cutie play. Really, it was more like Cutie played while Bear tolerated her antics.
Jordan filled two plates and carried them to the table. She took a seat and folded her hands in her lap. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to say grace.”
He looked surprised, but simply nodded.
“Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for this food we are about to eat. We ask that You keep Jenny’s daughter safe in Your loving arms and that You guide us to finding her. Amen.”
“Amen,” Jordan echoed. She was a little surprised he’d participated after their conversation last night.
They ate in silence for a few minutes. Jordan took a sip of his coffee, eyeing her over the rim of the mug. “Will you let me know how the interviews go today?”
She hesitated. “I’ll share as much as I can, but keep in mind I can’t go into a lot of detail during an active investigation.”
He frowned, then shrugged. “Anything you can tell me would be welcome. I need something to hold on to.”
She wanted to tell him that was what faith was for, but didn’t. She wouldn’t be pushy—Jordan had to come to terms with his feelings on his own.
“I appreciate the hospitality,” she said when they’d finished their meal. “I’ll do the dishes, then head out.”
“I’ll do them.” He jumped to his feet and took the dirty dishes from her hands. “I’d rather you get started on those interviews. That’s more important than dishes.”
“Okay, then.” She stood awkwardly for a moment, reluctant to leave. Which was ridiculous. Jordan had been living here alone for a while. She was allowing their time together to mess with her brain. Obviously, staying here last night hadn’t been smart. “I’ll touch base with you later.”
“Thanks, Autumn.” He walked her to the door, waiting as she donned her coat. “Be safe out there.”
“You, too.” She glanced down at her dog, who looked happy to be leaving the rambunctious puppy behind. “Come, Bear.”
After getting Bear settled in the back crate of her SUV, she headed toward downtown Canyon Creek. The city boasted about forty thousand people, which was a fraction of the size of Denver but big enough to keep the small police department busy.
She decided to head to the precinct first to get the rest of the case files from Peters. Then she’d swing by to arrange to have a security system installed in her home. By then, the Dollar Store would be open so she could interview Karen.
Peters was at his desk when she and Bear arrived. He scowled when he saw her, and without saying a word turned back to his screen.
“Detective.” She forced a smile. “Any progress on the case?”
“No.” He glowered. “I’ll let you know.”
Would he? It wasn’t easy to keep her expression pleasant. “Great, thanks. Oh, I’ll need the Jenny Clarke file.”
He didn’t turn to look at her as he shoved a folder toward the edge of his desk. “Have at it.”
“Thanks.” She picked up the file, dismayed at how thin it was, and hurried to an empty desk. Bear trotted at her side. Patrol officers weren’t assigned a workspace the way detectives were. After telling Bear to lie down, she paged through Daniel Peters’s notes, which were curt and sparse.
He’d interviewed Sasha, but the notes didn’t reveal anything Autumn didn’t already know. He had not interviewed Karen or any other employees at the Dollar Store.
And there were no phone records, either.
She had to battle back a wave of anger. She’d thought Peters had done more of an investigation, but to her eye he’d barely given Jenny’s disappearance a cursory look. Even without signs of foul play, she’d have expected more. Reminding herself she’d used Bear to search for Jenny, she got to work. She requested Jenny’s phone records, then set up an interview with Sasha for lunchtime. She’d touched base with River, who was meeting with Eric’s buddies to learn more about his relationship with Jenny and if they knew anything about her disappearance.
The stop to purchase a security system took longer than she’d anticipated. Bear sat patiently beside her as she considered the various options. The bad news was that the system wouldn’t be installed for three days. She thanked the helpful salesman, then took Bear back outside.
“You’re being a good boy, aren’t you?” She rubbed her hands over the bloodhound’s soft fur once he’d climbed the ramp into the crate. “I know you’d rather be working.”
Bear licked her cheek as if to agree.
The Dollar Store wasn’t too busy, and as she’d anticipated, a woman wearing a name tag identifying her as Karen manned the cash register. She frowned when she saw Bear, but didn’t protest his being there upon noticing his K-9 vest.
