Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Jo was at her desk, trying to untangle Garvin’s family tree to link him to Stanley Clifton, when the door banged open. She looked up as her sister, Bridget, burst in—an anxious whirlwind of energy—along with the sweet smell of freshly baked cookies.
“Jo!” Bridget called, clutching a white bakery box to her chest, apron still dusted with flour. “I heard about Garvin. Are you okay?”
Jo pushed back her chair, scraping the worn floorboards. “I’m fine, Bridge,” she said, standing as Bridget wrapped her in a tight hug. The scent of vanilla and cinnamon clung to her clothes.
Bridget pulled back, her eyes scanning Jo’s face. “I can’t believe it. Garvin... Who would want to hurt him?”
Jo shook her head, her voice low. “That’s what we’re trying to figure out.”
Wyatt and Kevin had been hovering nearby, and Bridget noticed them for the first time. She lifted the bakery box. “I brought cookies. I didn’t know what else to do. I just... needed to bring something.”
Kevin stepped forward, taking the box. “Thanks, Bridget. We could use something sweet about now.”
The group gathered around Jo’s desk, opening the box to the smell of warm chocolate chip cookies.
Bridget glanced around then lowered her voice. “What happened? Can you talk about it?”
Jo sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Someone broke into his house. There was a struggle...”
Her words trailed off, the image of Garvin’s body flashing in her mind. Wyatt picked up where she had left off, his tone flat. “Could’ve been a robbery gone wrong. But it sure felt personal.”
Bridget’s eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh, God. Poor Garvin.”
Jo reached over, squeezing her sister’s hand.
Silence fell over the group, broken only by the soft crunch of cookies. Bridget scanned the room, her brow furrowing. “Where’s Lucy? I brought her a special treat.”
“With Sam,” Kevin said, brushing cookie crumbs from his shirt. “He’s talking to Marnie Wilson.”
Bridget’s eyebrows shot up. “Marnie Wilson? The woman running for mayor? What does she have to do with Garvin?”
Jo and Wyatt exchanged a look before Jo spoke. “Not sure yet. Sam’s just following up on something.”
As if on cue, a loud meow echoed through the station. Major sauntered over, his green eyes locking on to Bridget like he owned the place. He stopped in front of her, his gaze expectant.
Bridget smiled, reaching into her apron pocket. “I guess Lucy will have to wait for her treat. You want it, Major?”
The cat meowed again, more insistently. Bridget placed a small dog treat on the floor, and Major snatched it up, trotting off like he’d just caught dinner.
Bridget watched him go, her brows drawing together in confusion. “Where’s he going with that?”
Jo smirked, leaning back in her chair. “Not sure. He’s got a spot somewhere he’s burying them.”
Kevin chuckled. “Probably hiding them from Lucy. Smart cat.”
Bridget paused, her hands resting on the edge of the table. “I guess I’ll have some extra time on my hands now.” She glanced at Jo with a small smile. “Maybe I can find someone else who appreciates home-cooked meals.”
Jo grinned. “Well, that frees you up to cook more stuff for us.”
Bridget laughed softly, but as she said it, her eyes flickered briefly to Kevin, who was reaching for another cookie. He caught her gaze and quickly looked away, a faint blush creeping up his neck.
Bridget checked her watch and stood. “I’d better get back to work. My break’s almost over.”
Kevin stood as well, grabbing his jacket. “I’ll walk out with you. I’m on my way to talk to Garvin’s neighbors, see if they noticed anything suspicious.”
Kevin held the door for Bridget as they stepped out into the parking lot, the winter sun bright but offering little warmth. They both tugged their jackets tighter against the cold.
“So, how’s the new job?” Kevin asked as they walked toward his car. He was using his own today since Sam was out with the Tahoe.
Bridget’s face lit up. “Oh, I love it. The bakery is great—smelling fresh bread and pastries all day, regular customers... It’s helping me feel like part of the community.”
Kevin smiled, genuinely glad for her. “Sounds perfect.”
They paused by the cars, neither in a hurry to leave. Kevin hesitated. “You doing okay? Haven’t noticed anything... strange?”
Bridget’s smile faltered just for a second. “I’m fine. But... I still look over my shoulder a lot.”
Kevin’s heart sank a little. Bridget had shared parts of her past with him, stuff she didn’t talk about with others. It meant something that she trusted him.
“Keep your eyes open,” Kevin said quietly, glancing around the empty lot.
“I will,” Bridget assured him, her smile returning. She changed the subject. “Any progress on that thumb drive thing?”
Kevin stiffened. The thumb drive. It had been haunting him since he found it, tucked in with his things after the hospital.
The data on it pointed to an old narcotics case and had led them to the burial grounds of a serial killer.
But the way he’d retrieved the password—he couldn’t tell Sam or Jo about that.
Not without blowing his cover. And he was sure there was more to the thumb drive than they’d discovered thus far.
“Not much to report,” he said, trying to keep his tone light.
Bridget gave him a look, her brow furrowing. “You still have it, right?”
“Yeah.” Kevin glanced around again, instinctively checking the lot. They were alone, but he still felt like someone was watching. “I’ll be glad when it’s all over. I need to clear the air with Sam and Jo.”
Bridget hesitated then smiled softly. “I could help, you know. Maybe take a look with you? Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes spots things.”
Kevin felt a warmth spread through him. “That’d be great. You sure?”
“Of course.” She grinned. “Besides, I’ve got to find someone to feed my casseroles to now that Garvin’s gone.”
Kevin chuckled, nodding. “Thursday night?”
“Sounds good.” Bridget winked. “I’ll bring the food. You bring the mystery.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“I’ll walk back to the bakery from here. It’s just a block away,” she said, pointing down the street. She gave him a quick wave before heading down the sidewalk, disappearing around the corner. Kevin watched her go, feeling a strange mix of relief and tension settle over him.
As he headed toward his car, something caught his eye—a folded piece of paper tucked under his windshield wiper. His easy mood vanished. He slowed, frowning.
He yanked the paper free, unfolding it carefully. The words, scrawled in thick black ink, made his blood run cold.
Be careful what you dig for.
Kevin’s pulse quickened. He scanned the parking lot, eyes darting from car to car, but the place was empty. Too empty. The winter sun, bright just moments ago, seemed harsh now, casting long shadows that stretched across the asphalt.
He crumpled the note in his fist, heart racing. His mind spun with questions, but one thought echoed louder than the rest.
Someone knows.
Kevin shoved the note into his pocket, his hands trembling as he reached for his car door. He quickly slid into the driver’s seat, locking the doors behind him. For a moment, he just sat there, staring straight ahead, his breathing shallow.
Who else knows about the thumb drive?
He started the engine, his thoughts racing as fast as his heartbeat. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had crossed into dangerous territory—territory where someone was watching his every move.
As he pulled out of the parking lot, that sense of unease stuck with him, heavier now. Whatever this was, he was in deeper than he’d ever imagined.
And someone was making sure he knew it.