Naomi glanced over, recognized the cruiser, and gave him a small lift of her chin.
Luke pulled in along the side, killed the engine, and walked over.
“Mornin’,” he said. “What you doin’ out this way?”
“Just checking on something.”
He reached up, giving Steve a scratch between the ears. The dog leaned into it like they were old friends.
“Hey there, buddy.”
Steve thumped his tail once against the seat.
“Have you seen Sam Talley around?”
She nodded toward the building. “Probably back by the load-through.”
“Appreciate it.”
Luke stepped away as her truck inched forward in line. He gave Steve one last pat on the head and headed toward the front door.
A bell chimed as he pushed inside.
Cooler in here.
Leather. Feed. Dust.
Shelves lined with tack and gloves, everything in its place. A kid behind the counter looked up.
“Help you?”
“Looking for Sam Talley,” Luke said, flashing his badge without making a show of it.
The kid jerked his thumb toward the back. “Out by the drive-through.”
“Thanks.”
Luke moved through the store, past stacked pallets and feed bins, and stepped out into the open bay where trucks rolled through.
Sam wasn’t hard to find.
Sleeves rolled.
Straw cowboy hat shading his face.
Standing off to the side, checking a clipboard with one of the drivers.
He looked up when Luke approached.
Didn’t seem surprised. Just finished what he was saying, handed the clipboard back, and stepped away.
“Sheriff’s office,” Luke said. “Luke Hale.”
Sam nodded once. “Yeah. What can I do for you?”
Luke glanced at the activity around them, then back to him.
“Got a minute to walk?”
