Chapter Thirty-Two
Aubrey: How is Lily doing? Sophia woke up today. She’s doing better.
Me: She’s fantastic. Misses you, but gets lots of love from Mimi K.
Aubrey: I can’t wait to see her. Sophia’s doing so much better. So I booked my flight for tomorrow. Ryder will be back tonight.
Me: I’m so glad she’s doing better.
Aubrey: I do need another favor though…
Me: What’s that?
Aubrey: She needs a place to stay. One that won’t question a name with a lack of rental history. One that will accept cash and not ask too many questions.
Me: You want her to stay at the inn?
Aubrey: I was kind of hoping you could ask Wyatt about the little home Evelyn had stayed in? She mentioned the person staying there short term just moved out at our last girl’s night.
Me: I can. But how are you going to hide that she’s your best friend?
Aubrey: Have you met your sisters? She’ll be adopted into the group in less than a day. We can just pretend that we hit it off.
Me: Okay. Tell me the new back story.
Aubrey: Her name is Sophia Black, from North Dakota, twenty-four, new to town looking to start college.
Me: You know Ma will have her enrolled in a heartbeat. Is that something she really wants?
Aubrey: Yes. She’s always wanted to be a teacher. But she never could in our town. Too many people know who her family is, and it’s not one they want around their kids.
Me: Okay give me five. I just saw Wyatt pull into the inn. Just… be prepared for anything he might text you.
Wyatt is going to ask way too many questions about this. Not about the girl, but about how I know the girl, why I want her to stay here under the radar, then he’s going to tell Aubrey I’m cheating on her. He doesn’t stand for that shit. Not after his experience.
Pulling up to the inn, he’s just leaving with an arm full of Sweet Violet’s goodies.
“Seriously? Still stealing from the inn for the department?” I laugh.
A shit eating grin spreads. “No. These are for me. I just got off a double shift. Need some sugar to get me through until a normal bedtime.”
“Oh, good. Does that mean you have a minute?”
He eyes me suspiciously, his raised brow questioning me. “I do. Did you get something else from Nolan? I swear I’m so close to a lead. Just waiting on something.”
“It's not about that.” Guilt hits me that that’s the only reason I’ve been calling him lately.
“Okay, well. Hit me with it.” He settles back on the hood of his cruiser. Popping another donut into his mouth.
“I need you to rent your cabin to someone without questions. I also need you to accept cash for it.”
He stares at me, brows furrowed scrutinizing everything I’m saying. “Who?”
“I literally just said no questions.”
“Sorry, I need at least a name. And a relation to you.” He shrugs, eating the last of his donut and pulling out another.
“Her name is—”
“Woah. Hold up. Her?”
Called it. “Yes, her. Can’t give you a name. Technically she’s dead, and if you go investigating her it’ll raise flags. She’s from a powerful family. She’s running from an abusive ex. Needs a safe space and to stay hidden.”
He drops his donut in the bag and pulls out his phone. I know exactly who he’s calling before she even answers.
“Wyatt. What a surprise!” she answers cheerfully.
“You know about this woman Coop is helping?” He doesn’t break his stare on me at all.
“I’m the one who asked, Wy. But seriously you can’t ask any questions. Or look into it. We have to pretend I don’t know her at all. She just has to be some random woman moving to town.” As she talks his face relaxes and softens.
“Okay. When do you need it ready?”
“Don’t know yet. She needs to recover first. Then she’ll drive out.” Aubrey answers while I just stand next to my truck listening.
“Recover?” Wyatt’s face is hardening again.
“Wyatt,” she warns.
“Right. Sorry. Just tell me when. It’ll be clean. See ya, Aubs.” They hang up and we’re left staring at each other.
“So. This is an interesting turn of events. Any connection to her?”
I sigh heavily. I don’t want to break Aubrey’s trust, but if it can help Wyatt connect the pieces, maybe I should.
“Promise not to do any searching? This is between me and you only. And only in your brain to connect pieces if you need to. Promise?”
He nods, crossing his arms over his chest.
“She’s Aubrey’s friend. Daughter to a powerful family. From what she’s said, this fiancé, James, was arranged by her father. The brother doesn’t agree with the father’s lifestyle or business and tries to protect her as much as he can. But he’s still under control of the father.”
“So definitely connected.” He runs his hands through his hair. “Fuck, Coop. How am I not supposed to investigate this if my lead doesn’t turn up? This is like a third option none of you told me about.”
“What is your lead?”
“I can’t. Not yet. No one can get even a whisper of what I’ve got or it blows open a whole case.” He sighs.
“Okay. I get it. No questions.” I slip my hands into my pockets. “Well I guess we’re at a stalemate until you have something or she shows up so go home, get some sleep.”
“Thanks. I promise I don’t want these fuckers here either.”
“I know. I appreciate you.” We both hug and slap each other’s backs. “Alright. Gotta go save my girl from Ma’s sugar inducing coma.”
“Good luck. She had ice-cream when I was in there.”
“Jesus,” I mutter.
Aubrey is going to kill me.