Chapter 43
FORTY-THREE
“Morning, Sheriff.” Her thick, bleached-blond twists were pulled up into a high ponytail, revealing several inches of her natural dark brown roots around her face.
She wore a black formfitting sweater dress that hugged her incredible curves in all the right places and had a white skull on the chest. She had paired that with knee-high heeled boots.
“Morning. This is a nice surprise.”
“I’m glad you think so.” Her intelligent sea witch eyes gleamed with interest, the little silver hoop in the right side of her nose winking in the bright overhead light. “Am I interrupting?”
“No, not at all, it’s good to see you. I heard you’re coming to Mae’s tonight.”
“Actually, that’s why I popped in. I’m catching a ferry over to Vancouver this afternoon. My dad had a heart attack. They put in a stent and think he’s gonna be okay, but I’m heading home to Nelson to see him.”
“I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do?”
She forced a smile. “No, but thanks for the offer. Anyway, I wondered if I could tempt you to join me for lunch before I left. Sheriffs still have to eat in between serving and protecting the island and its citizens, right?”
She could tempt him to do a lot of things. “I’d love that.” More than she knew. “But my schedule today is packed.”
“Oh. What about a quick coffee instead? Twenty minutes, tops.”
He glanced at his half-full cup on his desk. “Sure, I can—”
His intercom buzzed. “Sheriff, he’s here,” his assistant said.
No. Now? “He’s early.”
“Yes. Can I send him in?”
He looked up at Bronwyn, suppressed a groan of frustration. “Gimme a minute,” he said to his assistant. “I’m really sorry,” he said to Bronwyn. “I’d have loved to spend time with you.” He meant it. Especially considering she was worried about her dad.
She gave him a polite smile, but he could see the underlying strain in her face. Knew she had to be worried sick about her dad. “It’s okay. I know you’re crazy busy. Next visit, lunch on me.”
“When will you be back?” The lunch would be on him.
“I’m not sure. Hopefully before Christmas.”
That was two months away.
“But hey, maybe someone will turn in another bone soon. Then we can have another video call before that.”
One side of his mouth lifted. “No bones recently, but chances are it’ll happen again.” Hopefully sooner than later so he could talk to her again. “Safe travels home, and hope your dad is okay. If I can do anything, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
“Thank you. Good luck, Sheriff. See you around.”
He couldn’t help the way his gaze dropped to her shapely hips as she walked out of his office. Shook himself and prepared to greet his new detective.
As he stood, one of his deputies appeared in the doorway. “Got the info on that plate you asked about. The car was rented from a company down in SeaTac. Registered to a Lindsay Alastor.”
He didn’t know her. “How long ago did she rent it?”
“Nine days ago. Unsure when she came to the island. Driver’s license says she’s from Miami, thirty-one years old.”
“Great, thanks.” He made a note of it in his file then went to reception. The man he’d been begging for since August was standing at the reception desk talking to one of the deputies.
Rafe smiled, a measure of relief sliding through him. They’d worked together on cases for several years in Seattle. This was going to make his life so much better. “Axel. Good to see you, man.”
Axel turned to him, returned the smile and stuck out his hand. He was two years older than Rafe, almost as big, and a former Army MP who had become one of Seattle’s most reliable detectives. “Sheriff Torres. Two words I never thought I’d hear myself string together.” His hazel eyes twinkled.
Rafe shook with him. “Sounds good though, doesn’t it?”
“There’s a certain ring to it, I guess.”
Rafe clapped him on the shoulder. Axel had taken a prolonged leave of absence due to personal circumstances and had only agreed to resume his career because Rafe had specifically requested him. Or personally begged him, whatever. “Really glad you’re here, brother.”
“Me too. I’m ready to get back in the game. So, heard you could use a hand around here.”
“I’m gonna need both your hands.”
“Easy, you gotta at least buy me dinner before you start talking like that.” That wry twinkle Rafe remembered was back. “What’ve you got for me?”
“Right this way.” Rafe gestured toward his office and told him about the most recent events, including what was going on with Maddy.
Could be a coincidence, but he thought Willow had mentioned there was a newcomer named Lindsay at her yoga class.
Alastor. Unusual surname.
In English, it translated to vengeful.