Chapter 6
Sawyer
Ido my normal sweep throughout Pine Hollows, which takes fifteen minutes even if I'm really trying to kill time. As usual, there isn’t much happening in this town besides a few calls about a loose dog running around and a minor dispute at a gas station.
Today I’m riding solo since Chris said he had some paperwork to finish up.
I pull my patrol car into the empty lot directly across from Pine Hollows Community Bank—the same bank where I met Alice. Taking a sip of my lukewarm hot chocolate from the Cozy Cup, I pull out my speed gun to catch anyone who might be pushing the limit.
My thoughts drift to if Alice has had any more trouble with difficult customers. That guy was a real piece of work. I can't imagine dealing with that every day—people's money, people's attitudes.
Of course, the moment I park here, everyone suddenly wants to obey the speed limit. Not that I want to be a hardass, but it gives me something to do.
I'm tracking a Ford Bronco with my speed gun when a black SUV catches my attention. I lower the speed gun.
Heavily tinted windows. Someone inside, just sitting there. The positioning is odd: technically in the bank's lot, but tucked along the road's edge. Facing the bank.
Anyone coming out of the building wouldn't notice the vehicle tucked back there. But whoever's inside has a clear view of everyone entering and leaving.
That's not random.
That's deliberate.
What are they doing there? And how long have they been sitting there?
I’m going to try something.
It’s a long shot, but I set my speed gun on the passenger seat and start the ignition. I pull out of the lot and take the first right, making a wide loop so I can approach from a different angle—maybe get a license plate or a better look at the driver.
But by the time I circle back to where the SUV was parked, it’s gone.
Damn it.
Too obvious. I spooked them. They saw the patrol car and bolted. Could've been teenagers skipping school. Wouldn't be the first time.
But something about the positioning, the way they were watching the bank.
I sit there for a moment, scanning the area. Everything looks normal now.
Still, I can’t shake the feeling that whoever was in that SUV wasn’t there by accident.
My notepad comes out, jotting down the time and location. Black SUV, tinted windows, parked with clear view of bank entrance. No visible license plate. Fled when approached.
I underline "fled" twice.
As I put the car back in drive, I glance toward the entrance. Alice is in there right now, behind that counter, with no idea someone might be watching.
The bank closes in an hour. Alice will be walking to her car alone. I hope it was nothing.
But my gut tells me it wasn’t.