Death in Sandpiper Bay by Traci Hall & PATRICE WILTON

Author:Traci Hall & PATRICE WILTON
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dreamscape Press

Chapter Ten

Riley studied the evidence spread out on the long rectangular table in the rear of the department behind Nancy’s desk. She’d triple-checked to make sure she hadn’t missed anything.

“Hey, Nancy?”

“Yes?”

“Will you make sure that nobody touches this stuff until I get back? I’ve logged it all in, but I’m antsy to go talk to Chloe, Lacey’s friend.” She’d been dragging her feet to see if the coroner would call, but it was almost one and breakfast had worn off long ago.

Nancy’s eyes were bright as she gave Riley an admiring smile. “Sure! That was really something,” she spoke softly and glanced at the chief’s closed office door. “You’ve practically won him over.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say that, exactly.” Riley made sure she had her ticket book and a pen in her vest. Notebook. Charged radio. “We plan to keep things professional around here and start working together. Put our egos aside and do our jobs.”

“Thank heavens!” Nancy snickered. “Things were getting kind of ugly.”

“True. Now, as long as I don’t botch this case up, our working relationship should improve.” She gave a wry smile. “I’m going to do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Chief Barnes stepped out of his office and glared at Riley. “What are you still doing here? That Chloe girl will have time to catch the ferry and hightail it to China before you can let her know that her friend is dead.”

“Just leaving,” Riley said. What a grump. “Will you call me when you get the coroner report?”

“Yep. He’s a very competent man so you take your time and find out as much as you can about why Lacey was here, who she was with…well. You know the drill.”

She did indeed. Nodding to Nancy, Riley pushed open the door. “Wish me luck!”

Barnes didn’t answer but Nancy crossed her fingers. Riley’s steps were lighter than they’d been for a week as she headed for her car. If one could really call it that. Looked more like a large blue snail.

Riley drove straight to Lacey’s house and knocked on the front door. No answer. Someone had kept up the lawn with a recent mow. Yellow geraniums were in cobalt-blue pots by the door. She knocked again. Nothing.

Second stop was Bake and Shake bakery to gather both information and satisfy her rumbling stomach. The outdoor seating area had no tables free and inside was three-quarters full.

There wouldn’t be much time for conversation, but she went to the counter and caught Joan’s eye, smiling brightly.

“Good to see you again, Officer!” Joan patted down her apron for a pen. “What can I get for you?”

“A slice of your quiche and a bottled water to go. I’d hoped to ask a couple of questions, but I see that you’re busy.”

“Not too busy for you,” Joan replied. She gestured to the packed interior. “Everyone already has their orders so that should keep them happy. Come on back to the counter seat and we can chat for a few minutes.”

“Thank you.”

Joan rushed off to get Riley’s order.

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