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“Hi, Sheriff Landon. This is Craig Bannon down in San Francisco. I plan to head up to Lake Tahoe tomorrow morning and meet you about any further developments regarding the missing beauty contestant. I’d also like to look at both of the contestants’ rooms, if that’s possible. Feel free to call back when you can.”

Both tasks taken care of; I needed to release some energy at the gym and formulate a plan of action for my field trip. Hopefully, Sheriff Landon would have more news to share.

21

JONESY

It was a little after one-thirty when Craig showed up at the precinct. He’d texted me shortly before arriving, and I told the front desk to sign him in and hand him a visitor’s badge. One of the patrolmen escorted him to the squad room and pointed him toward my desk.

As badly as I wanted to greet him with a kiss, my reluctance took hold when heads turned our way. Not everyone knew Craig was my boyfriend, but Sean stood up from his desk, hurried over to shake Craig’s hand, and gave him a warm smile. I caught Craig’s citrus scent from his recent gym shower, and it was distracting. Distracting enough that my mind went blank and my heart rate kicked up.

“Uh, hi,” was all I could utter as the two men looked at me.

Craig glanced around the room, and I could tell he knew I was thinking about showing affection at my workplace. He didn’t miss a beat, saying ‘hi’ and turning back to Sean. “Jonesy tells me you and your lovely wife would like to have us over for dinner some night. We’d like that.”

“Let’s plan it after the Miss California pageant. Lorraine and I will set something up and let you both know,” Sean replied, all smiles.

“Speaking of the upcoming pageant, will you be working with Jonesy on his undercover idea?” Craig asked, keeping his voice low. Sean’s eyes widened in surprise, and he looked at me.

I shook my head and said, “It’s an idea I want to chat with the captain and the special events coordinator about today. It might give us an edge on security, especially with what happened in Nevada. I’ll fill you in later. Craig may help us out.” Sean furrowed his brow but said nothing as I continued. “It may not even happen, but I didn’t want to bring it up until I got confirmation from Davis. Believe me…I wasn’t trying to keep anything from you. It was a spur-of-the-moment thought I had backstage at the Miss Nevada crowning in Lake Tahoe on Saturday.”

Sean didn’t look convinced, but Craig came to my rescue. “We’ve been juggling a lot, Sean. Between the murdered contestant, the one that’s still missing, and the accident involving Raymond Chandler, I’m sure it slipped his mind.”

“Alright. I won’t get upset. But I am your partner,” Sean grumbled.

I sighed. “I’m sorry, Sean, I had plenty of opportunities to tell you, but there has been a lot going on.” I placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Okay, you’re forgiven this time. Just let me know what you’re thinking… even if it’s hairbrained.”

“Hairbrained? Let me remind you that you wanted to do a stakeout disguised as a shrub a few months ago!” I exclaimed. Craig giggled.

“Fine. It wasn’t my finest moment,” Sean replied. “I still think it could have worked, though.”

“On that note, Craig and I are heading to Davis’s office. I’ll let you know if my hairbrained idea is approved.”

Sean said nothing as I walked around both men, taking Craig’s arm. “Come with me. Let’s see if the captain is free.”

I led the way from the squad room, Craig on my heels. I noticed the captain was alone in his glass-walled office, so I knocked before opening the door.

“Hey, Cap’n. You have a minute to chat? Craig is here.” I looked over my shoulder as Craig walked in behind me.

Davis stood up behind his desk and extended his hand to Craig, who took it with a firm grip. “Hello, Craig. Good to see you again.”

“You as well, Captain,” Craig answered.

I felt at ease when Craig came into the precinct, as he’d helped with a couple of past cases, conducting interviews and obtaining information to pass on to us. Information we’d have problems getting as the police. Craig could do as he pleased, but he felt it was a courtesy to give Davis a heads-up before going back to Bally’s.

Davis instructed us to sit. “It’s my understanding that you’d like to help with the beauty pageant murder and see what you can find up in Lake Tahoe?”

“Yes, sir. I know Jonesy has already informed you I plan to head up there tomorrow and spend a day or two. I’d like to interview any staff members who might have seen or heard anything. I’d also like to look at the two contestants’ rooms…if Sheriff Landon will let me.”

“He plans to pass himself off as a news reporter,” I interjected.

“Okay. But you know the drill. You can’t serve in any official capacity. Do your snooping, but you need to let us know what you find. How will you show credentials as a reporter?” Davis asked with a pinched brow.

“I have a fake press pass and business cards. I’ve used the guise in the past to gather info. I already called Sheriff Landon that I’ll be coming up, but I haven’t heard from him yet.”

“The media have already posted the story about Gretchen being found here, as well as the other missing woman. His acting as a reporter won’t seem out of the ordinary,” I said as I glanced at Craig, who threw me a subtle wink.