Chapter 13 June
JUNE
Harriet arrived just as June was about to leave the new clinic, appearing in the front doorway with the kind of bright, determined smile that came from someone who had decided she was going to be useful no matter what mood the world was in.
She looked neat and prepared, her blouse pressed, her hair clipped back, and her handbag held close as she’d stepped into a new job with pride rather than walking into the aftermath of a town that couldn’t seem to catch its breath.
June was halfway across the reception area when Harriet called, “Good morning,” in that cheerful tone that made June briefly feel guilty for being as keyed up as she was.
June turned back and offered a polite smile, then forced herself to slow down. Harriet didn’t deserve to be treated like a nuisance because June’s nerves were stretched thin.
“Good morning, Harriet,” June greeted her, keeping her voice steady. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Is everything okay?” Harriet asked, glancing around as she headed toward her desk. “Is Dr. Vernon in today?”
“No,” June said, “Dr. Vernon’s out today. She isn’t well, and Dr. Tanner will be here later to stand in for her and Dr. Peltz. If there is an emergency, just call her.”
Harriet nodded quickly, absorbing instructions. “I’ll do that.” She took her purse from her shoulder and put it into one of the desk drawers. “Are you on your way out?”
“Yes, I have to go help out at the police station,” June told her. “But if you need me for anything, just call.”
“I will,” Harriet promised.
June left the building and stepped into the morning sunlight, the air thick with summer.
The town smelled like salt and sun and cut grass, the normal smells of a coastal paradise.
June slid into Carmen’s car and sat there for a moment before starting the engine, letting her hands settle on the steering wheel as if she could steady her thoughts by anchoring them to something physical.
Her mind spun over Holt’s latest revelation that Judy Vernon was related to Gilbert Fry.
A flash of memory rushed through her mind of Judy telling her that her parents had died when she was in her late teens, and it was just her and her younger brother.
He had sadly passed away ten years ago. June should’ve noticed the timing when Judy said it.
Ten years. But she hadn’t put it together because the tragedy that happened in Sandpiper Shores ten years ago wasn’t the only tragedy happening around the country.
Her brain had just sorted it into separate stories that could overlap without meaning anything.
But it just went to show June that while she was more perceptive than most people, little things still slipped easily through the cracks.
Things like someone’s brother dying ten years ago.
But then again, you also don’t want to bring up the pain by asking too many questions about that kind of tragedy.
The kind that sits at the other side of the grief of losing a loved one and knowing you’ll never be able to talk to them, touch them, see their smile…
Tears misted her eyes as she knew she was no longer thinking of Gilbert Fry but Trevor. June sniffed, took a breath, and started the car.
“Get a grip, June, this is not the time to fall apart,” June told herself as she backed out of the parking and headed toward the police station, clearing her mind and concentrating on the drive there.
When she pulled up outside the station, Holt was already waiting for her. He was standing near the entrance with his hands in his pockets. His expression softened slightly when he saw her, and June felt that tug on her heart as he started walking toward her.
“Hi,” June greeted, climbing out of the car and indicating for him to get into the driver’s seat.
“Hi,” Holt greeted her back.
It took everything June had not to step forward and kiss him as she used to when they were married.
They’d never said hello or goodbye without kissing each other.
Well… until the last night when Holt had stormed out of their apartment…
June gave herself a mental shake and forced her mind back to the present.
“I take it we’re going to Cedar Keys?” June guessed as they slid into the car.
“That we are,” Holt confirmed. “We need to talk to Dr. Judy Vernon.” He glanced at June as he buckled up. “She never mentioned who her brother was to you?”
“No,” June said, pulling the seatbelt over her. “I’m not even sure Lacey knows.”
Holt drove them out of town, and June watched the familiar streets fall behind them.
Holt didn’t speak much during the drive.
He looked focused, his jaw set, and his eyes fixed on the road.
June could tell he was running multiple threads of thought at once, and she didn’t interrupt him because she was doing the same.
They reached Cedar Keys and found the inn easily enough.
It was a tidy place with a cheerful exterior, palm trees, painted shutters, and that curated coastal charm.
June stepped inside with Holt close beside her and immediately felt the subtle shift in atmosphere.
It was quieter than Sandpiper Shores. There were tourists, but not as many, but then again, the size of the town was different, so Cedar Keys, being smaller, didn’t feel as full.
Holt approached the front desk, and June stayed half a step behind him, letting him take point.
The manager recognized something serious in Holt’s posture before he even spoke, and she straightened slightly, polite smile tightening as she prepared herself for a complaint or a conflict.
“Good morning,” Holt greeted her with a cool professional tone. “We’re here to see Dr. Judy Vernon.”
The woman behind the desk blinked in surprise. “I’m sorry, but Dr. Vernon checked out.”
June felt that sentence hit like a stone dropping into her stomach.
Holt’s expression didn’t change, but June could see the focus sharpen in his eyes. “When did she check out?”
The woman glanced at the screen. “Last night,” she confirmed on the monitor. “She left around eight thirty.”
“Last night?” June repeated, and she couldn’t stop the surprise in her voice. “She checked out last night?”
“Yes,” another woman walked through from the office off to the side of the front desk. “She seemed to be in a hurry.”
June took a breath, trying to keep her face neutral, but her mind was already racing.
Holt leaned slightly toward the desk. “Was she alone?”
“As far as we know, yes,” the manager said.
“Did she leave a forwarding address?” June asked, and she kept her voice friendly, as if she were only mildly curious.
“I’m afraid not,” the woman on the front desk told June and Holt. “Which is a bit naughty of her, considering that she left a lot of her belongings behind. Now we’re not sure where to send them to.”
“I’m considering sending them to the Sandpiper Veterinary Clinic where she works,” the manager advised them.
“I can take them for you,” June offered. “I work with Dr. Vernon as a volunteer at the clinic as a favor to Dr. Peltz, who owns the place.”
“I don’t know…” The manager looked hesitant.
That’s when Holt pulled out his FBI badge.
“I’m Director Holt Dillinger of the FBI.
” He announced as both women leaned in to examine his badge before he put it back in his pocket.
“I can assure you that Mrs. Carter works at the same veterinary clinic as Dr. Vernon. You can also contact Dr. Tanner, Dr. Peltz’s sister, who will confirm it.
You can’t contact Dr. Peltz as she recently had an accident and is in the hospital. ”
“Oh, no,” the manager said. “Well, there are some forms you’ll have to fill in, Mrs. Carter.” She glanced at the woman behind the front desk. “We’ll get them ready for you.” The women exchanged glances, and the one behind the front desk nodded.
“I’ll get right on getting them printed for you and Dr. Vernon’s items together for you,” the receptionist told them.
A woman in a neat uniform, clearly senior staff, walked toward them with purpose. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” the woman said. “I’m the head of housekeeping, and I overheard your conversation about Dr. Vernon.”
“Do you have information for us?” Holt asked her.
“I’m not sure if it’s relevant,” the housekeeper told them.
“But her room was very untidy. Not at all how Dr. Vernon usually leaves it.” Her brows knitted tightly together.
“Her drawers were open. The bedside cabinets were open. The desk was open. Everything looked like she had been searching for something. Even the mattress had been moved. It was hanging off the base.”
June’s breath caught. She glanced at Holt, and she could tell by the way his gaze sharpened again that he was thinking the same thing she was thinking. That wasn’t someone neatly packing. That was someone tearing through a room.
The manager looked genuinely horrified. “You didn’t tell me this.”
“I didn’t know if it mattered,” the housekeeper said, voice tight. “You have no idea how some people leave their rooms.”
The manager turned back to Holt, and her complexion had paled slightly. “Is this why you’re here?” she asked. “Do you think something’s happened to her?”
“We’re trying to locate her,” was all Holt let on. “Do you know whether her car is still in your parking lot?”
The manager blinked. “I’m not sure.”
The housekeeper looked uncertain. “I don’t know.”
The receptionist, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. “We log guest vehicles,” she offered. “But I haven’t checked today.”
Holt nodded once. “Please check,” he said, then added, “And I’d like to see her room.”
The manager hesitated, then looked at the housekeeper, then back at Holt. “It’s been cleaned,” she warned. “So there won’t be much to see.”
“That’s fine,” Holt said. “I still need to see it.”
“Can we check if her car is still in the parking lot first?” June asked. “If you can just come with us and look.”