Chapter Four
CHAPTER FOUR
Gently knocking on the door and receiving no reply, Brody gently cracked it open and peered inside. Bella was lying on the rug by the bed, and Annie was under the covers apparently already asleep. As he placed the suitcase, wig inside the room against the wall, Bella rose to her feet and walked up to him.
“You want to come with me, girl?” he whispered.
The dog moved past him into the hall, then waited while he quietly closed the door. As he returned to the kitchen she trotted along beside him, but went straight through to the back porch.
“You know me too well,” he said with a chuckle, “but I’d better clear up first.”
After washing the coffee cups and putting away the muffins, he headed out to the pasture to fetch Luna, his grey mare, but hearing a vehicle coming up his driveway he paused his step. Turning around he was surprised to see the sheriff coming to a stop by the house. As the burly man climbed out Brody walked up to greet him.
“Hi, sheriff. What brings you here?”
“Mind if we go inside?”
“Sure thing,” Brody replied, glad he’d taken the time to clean up before leaving. “You want some coffee? I just left and it should still be hot.”
“Sounds good. How are you?”
“Busy as ever. I’m gettin’ ready for a clinic this weekend.”
Stepping into the kitchen he poured the coffee while the sheriff settled into a chair at the table and petted Belle, but glancing across at him, Brody noticed he was casually looking around.
“Cream and sugar?” Brody asked, knowing there was nothing casual about it.
“No thanks. I’m not sure how to tell you this,” the sheriff began as Brody placed the mug in front of him. “It’s about Annie Baker.”
“What about her?” Brody replied, sitting across from him.
“Apparently she’s disappeared.”
“From where? And how can a superstar disappear?”
“Funny thing, that’s exactly what I asked when I got the call. Seems her manager, a guy named Geoff Palmer, is real worried. He called the police in Nashville, and when they found out Smoky Hill is her home town they called me. I know you two were close before she up and left so you’re my first stop. Have you seen or heard from her by chance?”
“I’m sorry to say I haven’t spoken to Annie in over a year,” Brody said solemnly. “But now I’m worried too. I hope she’s okay.”
“Accordin’ to this manager she’s been a bit depressed recently.”
“I hope you’re not sayin’ he thinks she might have tried to hurt herself. That’s crazy. Annie would never do that.”
“The officer I spoke with claims that’s what her manager was thinkin’, though he didn’t actually come right out and say it.”
“Not in a million years.”
“At first that’s what I thought, but she’s been away from here for how long?”
“A little over three years.”
“A lot can happen to a young woman in three years, especially comin’ from a peaceful little town like this and bein’ thrown into recordin’ studios and concerts the way she was. It can’t have been easy. Maybe her dreams turned into nightmares.”
“Sheriff, if things had become unbearable she would’ve called me, or her mom and dad. Maybe even come back. You know how stubborn she can be. If that girl wants to do something, she does it.”
“You’re right about that,” he said with a sigh. “The thing is…”
“The thing is what, sheriff?”
“A young woman checked into the hotel this mornin’, then suddenly left. She’d paid for two nights, but walked out and said she wouldn’t be back and didn’t want the refund.”
“You think it was Annie?”
“I don’t know what to think. The girl had long dark hair, and of course Annie’s blond, but I ran into Edith Swanson and she thought it was her.”
“Yeah, I know, Clive told me. He came here a little bit ago to give me a heads up. But if Annie came back she wouldn’t check into the hotel, she’d go home.”
“Unless she doesn’t want anyone to know she’s here.”
“If she shows up I’ll let you know, but only if she says it’s okay. I know Annie, and if she’s taken off with no word and doesn’t want to be found she’ll have a good reason.”
“Huh. Well, there is that. But if she does, let me know so I don’t waste any more time lookin’ for her. I’ll keep it under wraps.”
“You can do that? Aren’t you obligated to pass along the information?”
“That’s what’s known as a judgment call,” he replied with a grin. “Thanks for the coffee. Bye, Bella,” he added, bending down and petting her. “Uh, Brody, one more thing. It’s my darn shoulder—it’s actin’ up again. Can you work your magic for me?”
“Sure.”
As the sheriff unbuttoned the top of his shirt and turned around, Brody took a breath, then stepped up and gently massaged the affected area. Feeling the familiar tingling move through his fingers, he closed his eyes and continued until the sensation stopped.
“Better?’ he asked, dropping his hand away.
“You’re a miracle worker,” the sheriff replied with a heavy sigh. “All the creams in the world can’t do that. I sure appreciate it.”
“Any time, sheriff.”
“The coffee was good too.”
“It’s Italian. It’s not cheap and I have to order it, but I love the stuff. Come on, I’ll walk you out.”
Watching the burly man climb into his car, Brody couldn’t imagine why Annie had chosen to disappear. Though she’d tell him when she was ready and he wasn’t going to push, he couldn’t help but worry.
“Come on, Bella, let’s go for a ride,” he muttered with a heavy sigh. “I need to think about this.”