Chapter Four #2
They continued talking about any random thing they could think of, laughing and needling one another as time stretched on. Seth watched the thin blue rectangles on the ceiling spread to meet in the middle and turn soft pink with dawn. “I need to hit the shower and head to the station.”
“I need to clean up and go to breakfast with the crew.”
That prompted another playful debate about the proper way to cook bacon. When they moved on to discussing waffles versus pancakes, Seth knew he was screwed in more ways than one. He was hungry, running late, and teetering precariously on the edge of love with Rueben.
The intercom on his desk phone buzzed, and Seth lifted the receiver without looking away from his computer.
Kerry had forwarded an article Oliver Hawkins had written for the Denver Post about an upcoming podcast he was writing, producing, and starring in for the paper.
The subject at the top of the email read: Did you know about this?
Seth had not, which he found both curious and disturbing since it seemed like his ex-fiancé had decided to take up temporary residence in the small town he couldn’t put in his rearview mirror fast enough.
Seth hit the Reply arrow and typed nope, sticking to a one-word response, which was all the energy his ex and the project deserved.
He gave his full attention to his assistant on the other end of the line.
“Shouldn’t you be at lunch?” If he didn’t nag her about taking her break, she’d work until her blood sugar bottomed out, and that wasn’t good for anyone.
“I was just on my way out the door.” Her tone was the vocal equivalent of an eye roll.
“Mmhmm. You said that an hour ago. Seriously, Elayna. Go. To. Lunch.”
“Before or after I patch through a call from the assistant director from the CBI?”
Seth sat up straighter, even though there was no one to see him.
Then, he scowled. What did the Colorado Bureau of Investigation want with him?
And the assistant director, no less? Of course, Seth’s mind immediately went to his late-night and early morning interactions with Rueben, but he dismissed that outright.
It was more likely the FBI would investigate alleged illegal or unethical practices in his office on behalf of the Department of Justice.
That failed to make him feel better or clear up concern about the blinking light on his phone representing a caller on hold.
“I’ll take the call. You take your lunch,” Seth admonished. “Everyone wins.”
Elayna’s responding growl before she hung up hinted that she’d waited too long. The public could be in danger, but they’d have to fend for themselves.
Seth cleared his throat and stretched his neck to get the blood flowing before he picked up the phone and greeted the caller.
“Good afternoon, Sheriff Burke. My name is Amanda Hines, and I’m the assistant director for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.” Her Southern drawl made him think she wasn’t a native Coloradan. She sounded like sweet tea, magnolia blossoms, and cotillions. Very cultured and possibly high society.
“Good to meet you, ma’am. How can I help you today?”
“Please call me Amanda, and this call is about what I can do for you.”
Seth relaxed back in his chair but wouldn’t let a sweet voice and empty promises sway him. “You’ve certainly piqued my curiosity, Amanda.”
“I was in your neck of the woods recently, and I caught a segment on the local news about your cousin Natalie. First, I want to offer my condolences to your family, as I know that time does not heal all wounds.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Amanda said. “I’ve worked in several fields during my tenure in law enforcement, but cold cases just hit differently.
There is nothing more exhilarating to me than getting justice for families who’d given up hope.
So, Natalie’s been on my mind for a few weeks, and I decided to see what role we’d played during previous attempts to solve her case. ”
“Minimal.” But the fault didn’t lie completely with CBI.
“I can see that,” Amanda agreed. “We rarely insert ourselves into an investigation, so I feel like I’m walking a fine line here, Sheriff.”
“Call me Seth. And look, I won’t refuse an offer to assist,” Seth said.
“The original investigation was so poorly executed that it created a nearly unsolvable case. The next administration called CBI for assistance, but there just wasn’t much to work with.
The primary suspect had died without confessing, and his alibi witnesses didn’t recant or budge from their original statements.
The river had destroyed any biological evidence on Natalie, if any existed, so there just wasn’t much the CBI could do. ”
“I appreciate your candor, Seth. With all the attention on her case, I just feel it’s a good time for a set of fresh eyes to review the file.
Forensic testing has come a long way in twenty-five years.
We can get incredible results from the most minute samples now.
Maybe your cousin scratched her attacker, and we’ll find answers in her fingernail scrapings.
What wasn’t a viable sample before very well could be now. ”
“Those tests would steal a huge chunk from my operating budget. That’s a level of selfishness I can’t abide by.
I have to prioritize salaries for my employees and protecting the public over everything else.
” His conscience popped up like an opportunistic fly to remind him about his early morning phone call that could put heinous criminals back on the street, but Seth swatted the pesky bastard away.
“And maybe a part of you thinks the person who killed Natalie is already dead.” Amanda kept her voice neutral and free of judgment.
Seth fought back his rising hackles because it wouldn’t get him anywhere. Besides, she only spoke the truth. “You don’t?”
She chuckled softly at his deflection. “Let’s just say there’s room for doubt.”
“The eyewitnesses?”
“Yes. If I were a defense attorney, I’d be happy if a quarter of the witness statements matched after all this time.
A perfect match is unheard of and can’t be ignored.
I think we have to give strong consideration that Ryan Ulrich didn’t kill your cousin.
His alibi witnesses account for his whereabouts well beyond Natalie’s disappearance and estimated time of death.
They had no reason to lie after Ryan died. ”
Seth wanted to argue with her logic but couldn’t. “What do you suggest?”
“I’d like to send one of my cold case investigators down to review the files,” Amanda said.
“I’d like them to examine any evidence collected for viable forensic testing and take a run at the witnesses again.
It’s possible they overlooked something vital because all of the questions posed to them were about Ryan. ”
“It’s worth a closer look.”
“Wonderful,” Amanda said. “Expect to hear from Detective Shayne Abbott soon.”
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
As promised, Abbott called a few hours later, and they arranged a meeting for the following week. Seth updated his calendar and stretched his legs. “I’m going to grab a piece of pie from the diner,” he told Elayna. “Do you want something?”
His assistant looked up from her desk and glared at him like he’d threatened bodily harm to her beloved cat. “I’m getting married in two months.”
Seth failed to see the point and stupidly said as much.
“My dress fits to perfection, and I want to keep it that way.”
Seth figured the dress did not fit to perfection if one piece of pie ruined it.
Then again, maybe she feared one slice would snap her control and make her eat the entire pie.
Hadn’t he behaved as badly with Rueben? One brief phone call of support had evolved into hours of conversation and delicious debauchery over the past two weeks.
“You okay, Sheriff?” Elayna asked.
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“You looked flushed suddenly.”
It was a miracle Seth’s body didn’t combust on the spot. “Nothing a bit of fresh air and a piece of pie won’t cure. I’ll be back soon.”
Seth needed to get a better handle on his emotions and maybe put a moratorium on thinking about Rueben while at work.
That lasted just long enough for him to step outside the station and spot the pink rosebushes and white lilies in the ornamental flower beds bordered the building.
Those were Rueben’s favorite flowers because they reminded him of his mother and sister.
The longing Seth had stifled came roaring back with a vengeance and still held him in its grip hours later when he pulled into the parking lot at the Feisty Bull.
Rueben had shared his plans to go to trivia night with Keegan and floated the idea that Seth should swing by and get carryout again.
“Just so we can be in the same space for a few minutes,” Rueben had said before they disconnected.
Seth knew it was a bad idea, and had said as much, yet there he was, striding toward the restaurant with purpose.
And so what if he’d showered, changed into street clothes, and drove his personal vehicle?
That didn’t mean anything at all, other than maybe he wanted to drink a beer while he waited for his food.
He hadn’t worn a fucking fake mustache and wig to disguise himself. There was nothing to see here.
“Evening, Sheriff,” the hostess said. “Eating in or carrying out?”
Seth’s gaze landed on a table for two in the main dining room before his tongue could form the words “carry out.” The spot would give him an excellent view of the casual bar section where Rueben and Keegan would be. “Can I have that table?”
“Of course.” She leaned forward to grab a menu before she realized who she was dealing with. “Habit.”