Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Ally woke to a soft, silvery glow spilling in through the curtains. The world outside was muffled, hushed, the kind of stillness that only comes after a heavy snowfall. She pushed herself up on one elbow and blinked toward the bright window.
Olaf whined and Joe sat up quickly. “Morning,” he mumbled. “I’ll take him out.”
She chuckled. “The perks of having a baby.”
He grinned at her. “He went out twice last night,” he added, surprising her. She hadn’t heard him leave the bed once.
Standing up, she stretched and walked over to the window. Beyond the foggy glass, everything was blanketed in white. At least two feet, maybe more, had fallen overnight.
Downstairs, she heard the low creak of the back door and the faint jingle of Olaf’s new collar. She smiled and thought of getting back in bed and sinking deeper into the covers for just a moment. But since Joe was already up, she figured she’d take a hot shower to wake up.
When he came into the bathroom a while later, she was just getting dressed.
“It’s cold out there,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her. “I was hoping to crawl back into a warm bed and make Olaf sleep in his own bed for a while.”
She held onto him. The dog let out a happy bark, and Charlotte giggled in the hallway.
“Later.” He sighed and kissed her. “I suppose the kids will be hungry.”
She smiled and followed him back out of the bathroom. While she got Charlotte dressed, she could hear him in the kitchen, and then the smell of coffee drifted up the stairs. It felt… nice. Normal.
When she and Charlotte came down the stairs, the fire was crackling in the hearth and Joe was whisking something in a bowl.
Olaf was curled up on the rug, still damp from the snow.
“Morning,” he said to Charlotte, glancing over at her with that easy grin.
“I hope you’re hungry. I’m making waffles today. ”
“Yay!” Charlotte climbed up on the chair to perch at the counter. Her hair was a tangled halo, and she was grinning. Joe picked her up and sat her on the counter.
“Here, you can dump the chocolate chips into the batter.”
“And whipped cream!” she added proudly.
“After they’re cooked, you can put it on your waffle,” he agreed.
Ally laughed and ruffled her daughter’s hair. “Okay, but you have to promise to eat some fruit too.”
They ate breakfast in the formal dining room, which had a big window overlooking the bluff, so they could watch the snow outside. Olaf sat patiently under the table until Charlotte slipped him a piece of waffle.
When breakfast was over, they bundled up in scarves, gloves, and every layer they could find and headed outside.
The air was crisp, the kind that stung your cheeks and sent a shiver racing and got your blood pumping.
Olaf bounded happily through the drifts like he’d been waiting for this moment his whole life.
He chased Charlotte as she tossed handfuls of snow into the air.
Joe leaned on the deck beside her as they watched the pair tumble and play together. “She’s happy,” he said quietly.
“Yeah,” she murmured, her heart swelling as her daughter squealed and the puppy barked in reply. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen her like this.”
He looked so handsome as they laughed together. Snowflakes were clinging to his hair, melting down into the collar of his flannel shirt. She had the sudden urge to reach up and brush them away but tucked her hands into her pockets instead.
Instead, she bent down and picked a ball of snow. She walked over and, after hugging him, dumped it on his head, then sprinted away as he laughed.
Before he could retaliate, she threw two more snowballs in his direction. Each one missed.
He was a far better shot than she was. Charlotte joined in the fun, and the snowball fight went on until they teamed up and cornered Joe under the deck.
They were all wet, cold, and out of breath as they headed inside to warm up.
Around mid-morning, a truck came up the driveway. She watched as Nate hopped out, bundled in his heavy coat and gloves. She opened the door and waved at him.
“Morning!” he called. “It’s a beautiful morning.”
“Yes,” Joe answered with a grin, stepping up beside him. “You didn’t have to come out in this mess. I could have taken care of the horses.”
Nate gave Olaf a quick scratch behind the ears when the dog raced out of the house and happily barked at him.
“It’s okay, I wanted to come check on them myself.
There was something Faye wanted me to drop off.
” He reached into the truck and pulled out a small brown bag tied with red ribbon.
Inside was a plaid blanket and a tiny reindeer chew toy. “She said this one was non-negotiable.”
Charlotte gasped behind them. “Olaf’s first Christmas present!”
Ally smiled, touched. “Tell Faye thank you. That’s so sweet.”
“Will do,” Nate said. “I’ll make sure the horses are set for the day. You two stay warm.”
Once he left, Ally helped Charlotte hang their wet clothes by the fire before turning to the kitchen. “Cookies?” she suggested.
Charlotte’s eyes lit up. “Yes, please!”
They made sugar cookies and gingerbread men, and the smell filled the entire house. Olaf sat at Charlotte’s feet, tail thumping hopefully every time she dropped a sprinkle.
Mid-afternoon, the sound of her phone signaled that someone was coming up the drive again. She walked toward the front and glanced out the window to see Aiden’s patrol SUV pulling up and parking by Joe’s car. Her stomach tightened slightly.
She’d happily forgotten all about the events of the day before.
“Why don’t I take you and Olaf upstairs for a nap?” she said to Charlotte, brushing frosting off her hands.
“But—” Charlotte began.
“Just for a bit,” she said gently. “When you wake you can have two cookies instead of one.”
Charlotte pouted but obeyed and followed her up the stairs. It took less than five minutes for Charlotte to fall asleep with the dog snuggling with her on her bed.
When Ally returned downstairs, the men were sitting at the kitchen table, each with a mug of hot coffee and a plate of brightly colored sugar cookies between them.
“We’ve got updates,” Aiden said after she poured herself a cup and sat next to Joe, “and I figured you’d want to be included in them.”
Ally’s heart thudded. She exchanged a glance with Joe, then nodded. “Thanks.”
Aiden leaned forward and took one of the sugar cookie that she’d offered. “We got confirmation this morning that the bullet that killed Peterson, wasn’t from Joe’s gun, which means you’re in the clear and can pick up your weapon at the office anytime.”
“I could have told you that,” Joe added with a wink to her. “I know you had to rule me out though. What have you found?”
The warmth of the house suddenly shifted to cold. She reached for Joe’s hand, needing the anchor that he provided.
Whatever peace the morning had brought was slipping away, and deep down she knew that things were far from over.
“Do we know why Peterson was in the caves?” Joe asked.
“We’re working with the Portland PD. We found his car parked where you suggested we look at the public beach access,” Aiden said after a bite of the cookie and a sip of coffee. “Did Charlotte frost these?” He smiled at the blue snowman.
“Yes.” Ally smiled. “We have two dozen of them. I’ll pack some up for you if you want?”
“Thanks, but Susie and the kids are making some right now at home. I’m sure I’ll be eating sugar cookies for weeks.” He smiled.
“Do we know what kind of weapon killed Peterson?” Joe asked.
“Not yet. I’ve requested the coast guard to swing by daily and check that no one is utilizing the beach below. I’ve also had a call with your brother, and he said that he’s having a company come and install gates of some sort to block anyone else from getting in the caves.”
“Thanks,” she said again, feeling a little light-headed.
“We think Peterson was meeting someone, possibly a contact. He mentioned having a big job, and something about a government contract.”
She tensed. “Ted,” she whispered. “He’s hired so many different PIs over the years. Most of them quit him after finding out what sort of man he is.” She glanced over at Joe. “Like Joe.” She smiled at him. “He wasn’t the first, and I doubt he’ll be the last.”
“We’re looking into your ex. We know he hired Joe, and you’re right, chances are he hired Peterson too,” Aiden said.
“What if…” She felt the blood drain from her face as she thought of possibilities that hadn’t dawned on her yet. “What if Ted had something to do with…?”
Joe squeezed her hand softly. “Easy. That’s a big jump from a guy working for you to killing him.”
“You’re right,” she said, more to reassure herself than anything.
“Does Ted own a gun?” Aiden asked.
“Several,” she answered quickly. “He’s reportedly taken kickbacks from…” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. Yes, he had almost a dozen guns before the divorce. Who knows how many now.”
“Do we have enough probable cause to get a warrant?” Joe asked.
Aiden shook his head. “Not yet. You said you knew Peterson?”
“Of him,” he clarified. “His reputation really. I think I’d only come face to face with him twice.”
“Okay.” He turned to her. “He approached you a couple times. Did he ask any questions?”
She tried to remember just what the man had asked her. “He asked about Ted.” She shook her head unsure of what exactly he’d said.
“Not about you or Charlotte?” Aiden asked.
She shook her head slowly. “No, I think… he wanted to know about Ted. Which I didn’t find odd at the time.”
“What were you hired to do?” he turned to Joe.
Joe’s eyes met hers. They had talked about it before so it wasn’t a surprise when he answered.