Chapter Ten Bree
Chapter Ten
Bree
The process of interviewing thirteen people who might have inhaled the drug cocktail was utterly exhausting. It literally took all day. No one had come forward before we asked the question about not feeling well, but suddenly we had about ten hypochondriacs to deal with and only a few solid nos.
One man spoke about his possible exposure to the poison: “I felt like this lump in my throat, and then I think I had a fever.”
Brad glanced at me, and I closed my eyes. It was almost seven o’clock at night, and my patience was growing thin. I knew I couldn’t deal with these people much longer.
“I thought I was going to have to call 911,” the man continued, “but after I threw up, I felt better.”
“Is it possible you were just hungover?” Brad tried not to roll his eyes.
“Ah,” the man stumbled, like he had never thought of that.
“Three beers and”—Brad lifted the paperwork—“six shots would make me want to vomit.”
The man’s face reddened as Brad’s suspicions hit hard. “Yeah, I’m not sure, Detective, but I think I had a good dose of whatever took those two women down.”
“I don’t think so,” Brad said and licked his lips, “because if you had a good dose, you’d be dead.”
“Oh, I’m not dead.”
I had to hold back my laughter at that response.
Brad stood and ran a hand through his hair. “That’s all for now. Thanks for stopping by.”
“If you need anything else, you’ve got my number.” The guy nearly tripped over his chair on the way out. Brad leaned his weight onto the table and chuckled.
“We have one possible person who actually felt something.” I tried to look at the positive side of this crapshoot. “But it’s still not enough.”
“Nope.” Brad pulled out his phone, and his jaw ticced. “Shit, I have to go. Are you okay to head back home without me?”
“I think I’ll manage.” I gave him a wry look and started to gather my things. Brad stopped at the door.
“Look Bree, about Ronnie.” His face said it all.
“He didn’t do any damage,” I assured him. “I’m just sorry that he’s going through that.”
“Yeah.” Brad tapped the doorframe with his fist. “Hard to see him like that.”
“It is.” I slipped my bag over my shoulder and squeezed his arm as I passed. “He’s lucky to have you.”
“And I’m lucky to have you.” He gave me a playful smirk.
“As partners, you mean.” I slit my eyes at him even as I felt my own regret.
“That too. I’ll call you later,” Brad called out.
“Sounds good.” I waved over my shoulder.
I stepped outside the station and breathed in the fresh air, happy to be away from everyone’s sudden syndromes.
Lord, people could be heavy at times. I thought of Brad and wondered if it was Sherry who’d pulled him away.
I was sure it was. A movement caught my attention, and I quickly turned to see Hayne.
“I was hoping to catch you.” He leaned against his car with a smile. “So, I heard you like Italian food?”
I hesitated and looked at the time. I wasn’t overly hungry yet, and I wanted to go home and shower and change.
He pushed off the car when he saw my hesitation. “All right”—he tucked his hands into his pockets—“if you’re not feeling that, how about coffee then?”
Ugh, my weakness. “I can do coffee.” I shifted my bag on my shoulder and headed toward his car and hopped in.
“How was your day?” He couldn’t hide the fact that he was pleased that he’d gotten me to agree to join him.
I let out a long-tired breath. “Why don’t we talk about your day instead?”
“Sounds good to me.” He tipped his head in agreement, and we headed toward the coffee shop.
We got our respective brews and sat in a booth together. He entertained me with talk about his struggles in the army, and I tried to keep up, but a few yawns escaped before I could stifle them.
“You’re tired.” He studied my face.
“Yeah, it’s been a day for sure. I’m really sorry, Hayne. I guess I shouldn’t have accepted your invite.”
“Hey, not a problem at all. I kind of caught you off guard. So, Friday, Italian?”
“Oh, gosh, I’m not sure. My days change from one to the next. And to be truthful, Hayne, I’m not looking for any kind of relationship right now. I’m not sure how long I’m staying in town.”
His face fell with disappointment. “That’s too bad, but a girl’s got to eat. Surely you can fit one dinner into your busy schedule for a friend.” He emphasized the word. “I’ll pick you up at six.”
“I’ll have to get back to you on that.”
“You know I’ve got a good feeling about this, so six o’clock it is. Come on, I’ll run you back to your car.” I was too tired to argue.
When I got home, I found my mother in the kitchen, making some of her famous muffins. I dropped my bag on the floor and sank onto the stool at the island.
“Hi, sweetie.” She grinned at me. “How was your day?”
I shrugged. “I’m exhausted,” I groaned. “We interviewed a bunch of hypochondriacs that got us nowhere.”
“People want to help,” Mom said as she slid the batter into the oven, “and sometimes they go about it the wrong way.”
“It was the power of suggestion.” I grimaced.
“I know.” She kissed my cheek and placed a warm muffin in front of me. “You missed dinner, but I put leftovers in the fridge in your cabin. These are for the morning, but try one and give me your thoughts.”
“With pleasure.” My stomach grumbled painfully.
I popped a piece of the pastry into my mouth and moaned. “Mom, these are amazing. The guests are going to love them.”
“I’m glad,” she sighed. “It’s nice to know I’m useful for something.” That caught my attention.
“Mom?”
She turned with an apologetic look. “Sorry, just feeling sorry for myself, I guess.” She sat on a stool and looked at me. “Now I’m getting older, I’m floundering a bit. Not sure where I fit.”
“Not sure where you fit?” I repeated. “I’ve only been back for a bit, but I can see how much this place needs you.
You’re a major cog in the wheel. Without you, Lainey wouldn’t have helped with all the food, and Patrick wouldn’t have all those homemade blankets you make and sell on the website.
I might add, by the way, you’ve gotten over six hundred reviews as of yesterday. ”
“Really?” She raised a brow.
“Yes, and jeez, Mom, Charley would be stuck handling all the guest check-ins himself if you weren’t here. Not only that, but you also put cookies and leftovers and yummy stuff in my fridge to keep me from starving. We couldn’t possibly have all this without you.”
She smiled then and tossed the dish towel onto the counter. “Thank you, sweetie. I think sometimes I just feel that since my hip problems, I’m not as useful as I once was. Add age on top of it and my children all grown up . . . Sometimes you just wonder what your purpose is anymore.”
“You’re more than just a great cook, Ma. Utilize that.” I hopped off the stool. “Let’s be real, this place wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for you and Dad.”
“Thank you, again, sweetheart. I think I really needed that.”
I kissed her cheek and grabbed my bag. “Love you, Mom, and I especially love your baking.” I swiped another muffin and headed to my cabin.
My phone vibrated just as I got home. I sighed heavily. It was a struggle to balance everything going on with my life and work. I read the screen.
Sophia: I’m working tonight, talking to my friend, she thinks she saw ninja turtle guy. Can you stop by?
Oh, shit. The message had been sent thirty minutes ago. I rushed inside my cabin and dumped my things on the table and quickly sent off a text.
Bree: Hey, sorry just saw this now. Have you spotted him yourself?
I quickly called Brad, but it went straight to voicemail. I left a brief message, then sank into a chair as I thought about how to handle this situation.
Sophia: Yes, he’s here.
I was immediately nervous and excited at the same time. This was our chance.
Bree: What do you notice about him? What’s he wearing? Can you tell me where he is in the club? Who’s he watching?
Sophia: He’s watching the girls in sexy dresses like the kind you see in Vegas.
I channeled my inner Brad and thought what he would say at this point.
Bree: Can you tell me what he looks like? I tried again, but no reply.
Bree: I’m coming. I’ll text you when I arrive.
I eyed my closet, then went through my dresses. My eyes landed on a black dress from my Quantico partying days, and I decided it would be perfect.
Bree: Sophia keep your distance but if you can get his face on camera that would be huge.
Sophia: I’m trying to get his face for you. I’ll show you as soon as you get here.
I rushed to get ready.
“Damn, girl,” Lainey said as she caught me on the way to my truck. “Who’s the lucky guy that gets to see you in that tonight?”
“Nope, too much.” Charley suddenly appeared and pointed at my exposed cleavage. “Back inside you go.”
I rolled my eyes at him. Charley was as bad as my twin.
“Tell me that’s for Bradley.” Lainey grinned.
“Sorry to disappoint.” I yanked open my old truck door and hopped in. “But this little baby is about to catch a killer.”
“Hang on.” Charley held my door open. “Come again?”
“Our one and only suspect has been spotted at the club, so I’m going undercover to see if I can catch his attention.”
“Does Bradley know?”
“He will once he looks at his phone.” I yanked my seat belt across my body. “Besides, the place is crawling with police, and I fully plan on calling Cap right now to get him to alert the guys.”
“I don’t like this.” Lainey looked at Charley.
“Me neither.” He shook his head, then looked up at the sky. “She won’t listen to us.”
“I’m right here.”
“Maybe we should call Bradley ourselves?” Lainey pulled out her phone, and I slammed the door closed but rolled down the window so it didn’t seem rude.
“Seriously, guys.” I laughed. “I’m not reckless and never have been.
” I skirted around the few times I had been.
“I very much like my life and won’t risk it for some loser.
I got this.” I started the old engine, and after two tries, it roared to life.
“Believe it or not, this isn’t the most dangerous thing I’ve done. ”
“Don’t tell me those things.” Lainey held up a hand. “Shit, just check in, okay?”