“EJ,” she wailed, “two officers went home with the stomach flu and I don’t know what to do. I think Joel Rooney’s the only one at the mall now. They called me before they left, but I’m in Boston for the weekend—my sister’s wedding—and I can’t—” “Don’t worry about it,” I sa...
When Earl yapped at them and ran toward his leash, she grabbed on to the idea of a walk with relief. She didn’t want to sit, didn’t want to think or contemplate. A walk would be just the ticket. She was half irritated when Reese insisted on coming along. “What kind of body...
None of the others are early risers, or if they are, they’ve got duties to attend to in other parts of the ship. It rained hard overnight and the deck is slick. Water drops bead on the metal railing and the air smells clean. Idris slants me a look when I appear and eases over to make room for me...
Wyck even resists the temptation to put a few rounds into five alligators lazing on a mud bank. I’m very grateful for the ACV since getting through the swamp without it would have meant either long detours to avoid water, or taking our chances with the alligators. We see two lean-to huts camoufla...
The snow had stopped for the moment, but steel-wool clouds obscured the top of Pikes Peak and the Front Range. The forecast predicted the bulk of the snow for tomorrow, and Charlie wanted to be out of Cheyenne well before the first snowflakes fell. She called Albertine as she drove, but the woman...
She was outside the store, talking on a cell phone, which snapped shut when she caught sight of me. Her angry frown and hostile glare told me she’d talked to Velma. “You keep away from my daughter,” she said by way of greeting. A soft blue blouse cast an unflattering light on her complexion, maki...
Zach had left for the church before Jolene was up, and there was still constraint between them as Zach prepared to make the pancake supper he cooked every Wednesday. Jolene offered a “How was your day?” which he ignored by pulling the griddle out from amidst the pots and pans with a painful clank...
I’d go store by store if I had to, and see what kind of response I got when I dropped hints about Celio and guns. I’d had to use my soft brace on my knee this morning and was walking stiffly when I arrived at the security office to find Joel already manning the security cameras.“Overdid it with t...
At least, that’s what I told myself as I sat at my desk making calls and marking items off my to-do list. I suspected I was merely postponing another awkward confession to Hart. He’d be mad I hadn’t told him about having a copy of the ledger page. Later. Worry later. Focus now. I pulled a legal p...
I’d learned early on that pockets were invaluable to the event organizer. Derek looked handsome but nervous as the clock ticked closer to six, constantly swiping his hair back from his forehead. He wore olive slacks, an open-neck shirt, and a brown tweed sport coat. “It’ll...
I flicked on the kitchen light, my eyes going immediately to the length of plywood leaning against the wall. I’d already removed the old counter, a mustard-colored Formica, and I found the half-finished look of my kitchen depressing. Usually, I found it exciting, enjoying the process of tr...
It seemed like every guest at the inn was gathered in the foyer. Francesca Bugle was on the stairs, dressed to go out with a rust-colored boiled-wool jacket and a black felt hat with an embroidered design. Cosmo Zeller looked over her shoulder, nostrils flaring like he smelled a bad odor. The Ald...