A SEAL's Return by Grace Alexander

Author:Grace Alexander
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: clean romance, romantic suspense, sweet romance
ISBN: 9781951085100
Publisher: Mill Creek Press
Published: 2019-09-15T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

One follow-up phone call with Matt and Jake found himself heading to the Tidings Police Department with a detective’s name on a Post-It Note instead of heading straight into High Beam. The office was small and quiet, and the detective was awaiting him.

By the time Jake was shown to the officer’s desk, he was certain that everyone had mentioned he was the one who’d burned down Ally’s house. To the ground.

“Matt is your friend.” The detective leaned back in the scarred office chair and rolled a toothpick between his fingers. “We did him a favor.”

Jake worked his jaw back and forth. “I appreciate that. He also mentioned that I need to speak with you. Meaning, we’re all friends.”

“You put me in a predicament.”

The meeting wasn’t off to a great start. “That wasn’t my intention. I had a concern, and if it was unfounded, I didn’t want to needlessly worry Nora.”

The detective popped the toothpick into his mouth, holding it between his teeth like a plank before he relaxed and worked the side of his gum. “And what’s your relationship with Miss Cabot?”

Good question. “What’s that have to do with this?”

He lifted a shoulder. “You’re new in town, question suspicious activity, and that’s not something we’re used to.”

Man, did Jake hate the new-in-town line. He wasn’t one to name-drop, just as he didn’t use his service in the military as a shiny object to get attention. But he was raised in Tidings and born in a hospital that bore his family name—the Westbrook Center.

“I wouldn’t say I’m new to town. ‘Returning’ might be a better word.”

The toothpick worked its way to the other side of the detective’s mouth. “Ah.”

This was a waste of time. Jake would have better luck getting secondhand information from Matt. “All right, thank you for your time, detective.” Jake stood, ready to shake his hand and get to work. Not that there were cars in line for tune-ups yet, but if he didn’t at least show up, there never would be.

“The cigarette butts.” The detective motioned for him to remain seated.

Jake rolled his shoulders but dropped into the chair. “What about them?”

“They could’ve been piled up in the corner by someone who works there on a regular basis. A cleaning service not allowed to smoke inside. A landscaper, a next-door neighbor kid sneaking off to grab a smoke.”

He lifted his chin. “All things I’ve considered, which is why I talked to Matt.”

“But they were fresh butts. Smoked about the same time.”

Jake raised his brows and rolled his bottom lip into his mouth and thought. “Hmm.”

“Hmm is right.” He shifted the toothpick. “Why were you over there?”

Surely Matt had already shared, but Jake was sure that this was something the detective had to ask, anyway.

Jake filled the man in on his conversation with Nora and how he planned to explain everything that had gone on thus far but had not yet done so. The detective nodded then pulled out the toothpick and rolled it between his fingers.

“Look, but those cigarette butts, that’s concerning,” the detective said.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.