“You’d be surprised how even seemingly insignificant bits of information can be the piece of the puzzle that brings a case together. Don’t underestimate the usefulness of your statement.”
She smiled again, and Cal’s breath lodged in his lungs. The warmth in her face eased the fatigue that seemed to cling to her. Her eyes sparkled, and her cheeks glowed. She was stunning. “In that case, please proceed.”
Leaning his hip against the counter where the coffee pot gurgled, Cal folded his arms over his chest and frowned as he watched Jules answer Wyatt’s questions cheerfully, thoroughly and willingly. While he was glad his brother was getting a deeper understanding of minutia regarding the case, he couldn’t help wondering what the actual heck was going on here? He’d never had reason to be jealous of Wyatt before, but…
Cal shook his head briskly.Nope. He wasn’t jealous. That was ridiculous.
Over the next thirty minutes, Jules gave a detailed description of the second man, reiterated that she’d seen nothing suspicious before the men arrived or when she left the shop that night, and provided a timeline of when she’d moved to Red Grove and taken the position at the gift shop. No, she hadn’t heard enough of the second man’s voice to recognize it again. Yes, she was sure the hoodie had said UNLV. No, she couldn’t really say how tall he was. Just…average height.
“Last question,” Wyatt said. “In the three months that you’ve worked here at the gift shop, have you seen anything to indicate that there were regular drug deals happening on the grounds or near theGeesesculpture?”
She seemed rattled by this question, as if the suggestion that such illicit transactions and unsavory characters operating under her nose and unbeknownst to her frightened her.
“Not to my knowledge,” she said, a frown denting her brow. “During the hours I’m at the shop, I generally only see tourists. Families, guided groups, school field trips, that sort of thing. No one I’d ever considered suspicious.”
Wyatt rubbed his chin and considered her answer, then bobbed a nod. “All right then. I think that covers it. If you remember anything else you believe could be helpful—”
“I’ll be sure to call you, Detective.” Rallying her composure, she flashed a bright grin that made Cal’s pulse tick and stumble. She was beautiful all the time, but when she smiled…damn!
When she glanced his way, her eyebrows were raised as if to askdid you see that?See how helpful I was for him?Cal’s muscles tensed in irritation.
The little vixen was toying with him…
Cal quickly schooled his annoyance and gave her a wink that wiped the smug look from her face.
“Thank you for your time, Jules. I know how busy you are,” he said.
Her expression darkened, and she scoffed. “You do remember the shop’s still closed. I’m bored spitless.”
Cal turned to his brother. “Wyatt? What do you think? Does Forensics need anything else here?”
“I think it’ll be safe for you to reopen tomorrow. I’ll double-check with the team, but you should be back in business soon,” Wyatt said.
As if she had a light switch turning her expression off and on, Jules glanced back at his brother with delight. “Oh, that would be wonderful. Thank you, Detective.”
Geez, Louise. He had to get out of here before she saw how her mercurial mood got under his skin.
Five minutes and a few more flirtatious words for Wyatt later, Cal and his brother were back in his Jeep headed into Red Grove.
“So it’s Cal, is it?” Wyatt asked, his tone teasing.
“I told her she could call me that. I didn’t see the harm, since I’m not leading the investigation,” Cal replied innocently. Then, because he couldn’t help planting his flag to warn his brother away, he added, “I thought it would make her more comfortable when we had dinner together last night.”
Wyatt laughed. “Now I get it. You must have done something to tick her off on your date, based on the cold shoulder she gave you back there.”
“Hmm. You’d think, but…” He blew out a speculative breath. “She’s been chippy with me from the beginning. Frosty from the moment I introduced myself at the crime scene yesterday morning.”
“Well, I guess it’s just your winning personality and devastating charms then,” Wyatt said, a bit too amused for Cal’s liking. “You should invite her to the family barbecue this weekend. She said she’s new in town, so she might like to meet some more people.”
He chewed on the idea. Hedidwant to spend some more time with Jules, and the family’s Fourth of July gathering was a good excuse.
Wyatt snorted and playfully punched him on the arm. “If you’re thinking I’ll try to steal her from you at the barbecue, I promise not to be too interesting and endearing around her. You know, to give you a fighting chance.”
Cal’s answering laugh was interrupted by the trill of his cell phone. He pulled over to the shoulder in order to take the call. The caller ID said it was the mayor of Red Grove calling, and he breezily greeted the man who was like another brother to him.“Teddy, my man, how’s it going? Are we going to see you at the family get-together on Saturday?”
Ted Barrett, who’d been raised in the Colton household after his grandmother passed away, seemed caught off guard by the question. “Um, yeah. I’ll be there. I, uh…” Teddy cleared his throat, and in a steadier voice said, “That’s not why I’m calling, though.”
“Oh? Do tell?”
