Chapter 3 The Phone Call
A.J.’s phone vibrated with an incoming call. He wished he could ignore it, blocking out everything but the woman in his embrace, but too much was at stake.
“Sorry about this.” Giving her an apologetic look, he pulled his phone out of his back pocket, glanced at the caller ID, and was extra glad he hadn’t ignored the call. It was his new boss at Lonestar Security.
Curling to his feet, he walked to the other side of the living room as he accepted the call and lifted the phone to his ear. “Hey, Decker.”
“Hey, A.J.” Decker’s voice snapped with urgency. “I know your start date isn’t until Monday, but we’ve got a situation.”
It felt like a test, but A.J. wasn’t afraid of tests. “How can I help?”
“I just received word that the pawnshop across the street from Modello’s was just broken into.”
A.J.’s instincts went on full alert. “When?”
“Few minutes ago.”
“Sorry to hear it.” He remembered seeing the tiny clapboard building with peeling white paint. More specifically, he remembered driving through the business district and thinking it looked out of place among the ritzier surrounding buildings.
Decker’s voice turned wry. “Any chance you can make it over there?”
“Yep.” He glanced at Aurora and found her on her feet watching him expectantly. “I can be there in ten minutes, fifteen tops.”
“That would be great.” Decker sounded relieved. “Like I mentioned during your interview, we work closely with the local police, providing more hands on deck as needed.”
“And this is one of those situations?” A.J. was already moving toward the door.
“Yep.”
“What are my marching orders?” He wanted to be clear about what Decker expected of him.
Decker quickly filled him in on what he knew. “They’ve got Deputy Cannon on the scene. He isn’t new to police work, just new in town like yourself. I’d like you to assist him in processing the crime scene. Whatever he needs you to do, even if it’s a coffee run.”
Yeah, putting two new guys on a job together was definitely a test. “On my way, boss.”
“You don’t need to call me that,” Decker said hastily. “And this is a paying gig. Your paycheck will be retroactive to today. Nobody expects you to work for free.”
“Roger that.” This was everything A.J. had hoped for and more.
He’d been angling to get closer to his target, but he’d never imagined being assigned to work directly with the guy.
Did Deputy Cannon even know a private investigator was being sent to assist him?
Their upcoming encounter could easily erupt in fireworks.
Or an arrest. He didn’t dare look at Aurora out of concern for what his gaze might inadvertently reveal.
“Keep me posted,” Decker ordered.
“Will do.” A.J. disconnected the line and carefully schooled his features before facing Aurora. As usual, he was socked straight in the heart by her Rapunzel hair and wide, fathomless eyes that always seemed to be drinking in the world around her. She was so beautiful.
“You’re leaving.” It wasn’t a question. She glided his way, not looking as disappointed about the news as he’d anticipated. On the contrary, her greenish-hazel eyes were snapping with curiosity.
“Yeah, about that…” It was time to inform her about his new position at Lonestar Security. “I almost told you this earlier, but I didn’t want to steal your thunder,” he gestured vaguely, “while we were celebrating the Modello’s contract.”
She cocked her head expectantly. “Tell me what?”
Knowing what he was about to confide in her made their relationship feel all the more serious. “You know how I always seem to get pulled into investigative work?”
She nodded excitedly. “First in Phoenix, then in Pinetop.”
“And now in Heart Lake,” he finished for her.
“Oh, wow!” She clapped her hands like he’d just been awarded a medal. “It’s going to take some getting used to, but it appears my boyfriend is a hot commodity within the law enforcement community.”
He felt his face redden. “Very funny.”
She moved to his side to wrap her hands around his arm. “Where to, Private Investigator Pike?”
He raised his eyebrows at her. “You want to come with me?” She wouldn’t be allowed to enter the crime scene. However, it was a small town where news traveled fast. Undoubtedly, a crowd of spectators was already gathering. For this reason alone, he didn’t see a problem in bringing her along.
She blinked at him. “Surely, you weren’t planning on leaving me behind?”
He raised his eyebrows at her. “Actually, I was.”
“And make me miss all the excitement? Oh, come on,” she pleaded. “This is probably the most action this snoozy little town has ever seen!”
From what he knew about Heart Lake, that wasn’t true at all.
They’d had more than their share of criminals passing through, stirring up havoc.
He doubted that was what Aurora had meant, though.
She simply wasn’t any more ready to part with him than he was to part with her, and he was completely cool with that.
He grinned down at her. “I wouldn’t dream of curtailing your fun, Rapunzel. Let’s go!”
Not missing a beat, she shot back, “I’m ready when you’re ready, Prince Charming.” Their exchange was a reference to the first time they’d met.
He would never forget glancing across the dance floor at the holiday costume party in Pinetop, Arizona. She’d been dressed as Rapunzel without the wig. The moment their gazes had met would forever be etched on his soul.
They retrieved their coats from the sofa on the way to the door, pausing there to shrug them on before stepping outside into the cold. Aurora was shivering by the time they reached his truck.
He turned the heater on as soon as he started the engine, knowing it would take a minute or two to warm up.
As he drove, he shared what he could about what was going on.
“I’ve been asked to play backup to a new deputy in town.
” Due to the rules involving ongoing investigations, he wasn’t allowed to state her brother’s name. “He’s answering a 9-1-1 call.”
“Oh, no,” she breathed. He could feel her anxious gaze on his features. “Is it serious? Was anyone injured?”
“I’m about to find out.” He liked the fact that her first concern was for the individuals who might be involved. Her compassion was touching. “The crime scene will be taped off,” he continued cautiously.
“I know, I know.” She rolled her eyes at him. “And it’ll be off limits to me.”
Bingo. It sounded like her brother had already explained those kinds of protocols to her.
Either that, or she’d watched enough crime shows on TV to know how it worked.
“I don’t think this will take long, since the deputy is already on the scene.
” He watched her from the corner of his eye, not wanting to miss the moment she caught on to whom he was referring.
“This new deputy you keep mentioning,” she repeated a tad suspiciously. “Is it someone I know?”
“I can neither confirm nor deny what you’re asking, ma’am.” He held back a chuckle.
“This is rich,” she chortled. “Pure gold, actually. I wish I could sell tickets to the showdown. Hope you’re wearing your scorch-proof boxers.”
Yep, she knew. He gave her an amused sideways glance. “Why’s that?”
“Oh, please!” Making a humming sound in the back of her throat, she settled back in her seat. “My brother hasn’t exactly been subtle with his objections about our relationship.”
“No kidding? I hadn’t noticed.” A.J. had most definitely noticed, but he was more interested in hearing her take on the matter. “Was it something I said?” he teased.
She sobered. “It’s hard to explain.”
“Try me,” he offered quietly.
She shifted her feet uncomfortably on the floorboard. “He’s not a fan of long-distance relationships.”
“I’m right here,” he reminded, hoping she would elaborate.
“I know, but my job requires a lot of travel.” She sounded glum.
“I guess it’s a good thing I’m retired.” It was a bold statement that he hoped wouldn’t make her uncomfortable. “Keeps the possibilities open.”
“Wow, A.J.!” She reached for his hand, and he took it, lacing their fingers together and resting their joined hands on the console. The way she was staring into the distance made him wonder if she realized she’d spoken aloud. “I don’t know what to say,” she added in a whisper.
For the rest of the short drive, she stared out the window at the lake, the homes and barns clustered around it, and the series of plaza strips they approached when they reached the downtown area of Heart Lake.
Modello’s was housed in a well-maintained red-brick building with enormous picture windows.
A lavish ivory wedding gown was on display.
Artfully arrayed around it were a Christmas-red bridesmaid dress, a black tuxedo with purple accessories, and a matching child-sized tuxedo.
Red and purple garlands sparkled with red and purple lights, oversized candy hearts, and smiling Cupids.
On second thought, it wasn’t a Christmas display at all.
It was a Valentine’s display, which made more sense with February right around the corner.
Directly across the street from the opulent boutique was a police cruiser with flashing lights.
No siren. A.J. parked at the curb and stepped out of his truck, preparing to weave his way through the gathering spectators.
As expected, yellow caution tape had been used to mark off the restricted area.
Before shutting his door, he leaned back inside the cab to hand Aurora his key fob. “This will keep the heater running.” If he’d walked far enough away with it, the motor would’ve automatically turned off.
She flashed him an appreciative smile. “You’re the best.”
He angled his head towards the steering wheel. “Depending on what’s going on, the police might ask you to move my truck.”
“To steal my front-row seat. Not cool.” She wrinkled her nose at the prospect. “If that happens, watch your text messages since I’m your ride out of here.”
He winked at her, liking the sound of that.