“I can’t believe no one saw anything,” she said.
“Well, the good news is that the art gallery right behind the inn has a security camera that faces the back of the inn. There is a shadow of a person running out the back at around five in the morning.”
“So, whoever it was had to have taken a ferry over yesterday.”
“No. They could have driven over deception pass bridge. Or they could have already been here.” He rested his head against the cushion and stared at the sky. He found a couple of stars, and the white moon glowed through a thin layer of gray clouds. “I’m taking this threat seriously, which is why I am being a bit of a dick by having you stay here, but I don’t think it’s the Trinket Killer.”
“I have to agree. You are being a dick.”
He chuckled. “But you’re staying.”
“Just for a couple of nights. Because it’s so pretty here and the motel down the street doesn’t have anything until Monday.”
“I can’t force you to stay here, but someone wants us to think the Trinket Killer is watching us and ready to strike again.”
“What if he is? What if me being back in Seattle is some kind of trigger? What if I just set in motion another killing spree?”
Jag had to admit, at least to himself, that those same questions filled his mind, but it didn’t make sense if he pulled it back to the beginning. “What were you doing when the first murder took place?”
“What do you mean?”
“You were a junior reporter, and you didn’t even cover that case. I was a beat cop. I had just taken my detective test, but it was a full year before I got my first case.”
“Which was the fourth victim,” she said. “And that was the second murder I covered.”
“I know. You pissed me right the fuck off when you gave the killer a name and then publicly made the connection between a couple of the murders before we were ready to make that announcement.”
“People have the right to know there is a serial killer in the neighborhood, but I now see how I went too far sometimes.”
“You were just doing your job,” he said.
“Wow. Who are you, and what did you do with my ex-fiancé?”
He spit out half his beer as he burst out laughing. “We were engaged for less than a day, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard you use that word and my name in the same sentence.”
“It did feel very weird on my tongue.”
“Don’t turn your head or anything, but we’ve got company,” he said.
“Who? Where?”
“I don’t know. I don’t recognize the car, but someone is definitely sitting in it. Without causing alarm, I want you to quickly go inside.
“What are you going to do?”
“Call my officer on duty. I always have two. And have them do a sweep while I sit here with my gun.” He pulled it out of its holster and put it on the table. “And watch.”
“I’ll be inside.” She scurried through the front door, shutting it quickly. At least she didn’t argue. That was a change from the days of the past. She always had to be in the thick of things. Right there with him on the front lines. The story meant more to her than anything else, including him.
But who was he to talk? She often took a back seat to his job.
He stuffed his AirPods back in his ear. “Hey Siri, call Jenna Earls.”
It rang once. “Hey, Chief. What’s up?”
“Are you in your patrol car?”
“Yup. Just sitting up at the corner by the motel waiting to get someone for a rolling stop.”
He laughed. “I need you to drive down to my neighborhood and check out a car parked just at the bend by my house.”
“Be there in five.”
He tapped his phone but left the earpiece in while he pretended to kick back and enjoy his second beer. Which actually felt really good as it bubbled down his esophagus and into his stomach.
Headlights cut through the dark night.
The car in question flicked its lights on and eased down the road.
His cell buzzed.
“Hey, Jenna,” he said.
“I’ve got the plate, and I’m running it now. Do you want me to follow…well, now, that’s interesting.”
“What?”
“The car is registered to Bailey Redding.”
“Of course it is,” he said. “Yeah. Follow her. Find out if she’s staying here on the island and if you can come up with a reason to pull her over, do it.”
“She’s got a taillight out.”
“Perfect. Feel free to give her a ticket,” he said. “We need to feed the beast that all women cops are bitches.”
“God, you’re such an asshole,” she said with a laugh.
He’d known Jenna for years. They went through the academy together and for a short time were partners as beat cops. They didn’t come any better than Jenna.
“I won’t argue that point,” he said before ending the call. He finished his beer. Time to head inside and try to get some sleep.
It was going to be hard with Callie in his house.
Worse, because she wouldn’t be in his bed.
Chapter 4
Callie leaned against porch railing and looked out over the sound. Life on Whidbey Island seemed to slow to a snail’s pace. A year ago, she could only tolerate that for a day, maybe two. Now, she thought she might like to live this way for the rest of her life.
The view alone soothed her aching heart. His house sat up on the hill in the back of the neighborhood and looked out over everyone else. It was if the chief of police was actually keeping an eye on his citizens.
One of his neighbors walked down the street with a dog in tow. She glanced up and waved with a puzzled expression.
Small towns.
People would be talking, but she suspected Seattle was already abuzz about her return. She might not be famous, but she certainly left an impression,
