Freed by Fire by Kimber White

Author:Kimber White [White, Kimber]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nokay Press LLC
Published: 2019-02-11T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Calla

In the week after Bobby’s murder, Shadow Point turned into a ghost town. Owen tried to keep the bar open, but everything I feared came true. Word got out and people started to assume the Blue Heron was where the killer scouted his victims.

“It’ll get better,” I said to Owen. He’d told all the waitresses to stay home. We were down to a skeleton crew of just the two of us. He did the cooking, I served the drinks and the food. We’d be lucky if five people showed up. For a Saturday night it was hardly worth unlocking the doors.

“If I shut down for good,” he said, “I can’t come back from that.”

“I know,” I said. I stood on the other side of the bar. I put a gentle hand over Owen’s. I didn’t want to add to his misery, but at this rate, I’d have to start looking for another job. It was as if the universe were conspiring against me. Astor might get his wish after all. Economics might force the move to San Diego anyway.

Except, I felt that same pull each time I thought of leaving. It was getting harder to figure out whether it was Shadow Point keeping me rooted...or Kian. I went to him once a day, just after dusk to bring him food. He was better; I felt it in my bones. His eyes lit up when he saw me and he said he hadn’t had any more blackouts. There was just one stark truth that clawed at my heart. There had also been no new killings since I chained Kian in dragonsteel.

It didn’t have to mean anything. With the whole town running scared, maybe the killer had moved on.

The door opened and Owen’s face perked up for a second, then fell when he realized who it was. Sheriff Baines walked in with his usual somber expression. My heart twisted.

“Don’t say it,” Owen said, his voice choked. “Please don’t tell me there’s been someone else.”

Baines put up a hand to placate him. “No. Relax, son. I didn’t come here with bad news. I just wanted to talk to Calla for a few minutes, if that’s all right.”

Owen sighed with relief and quickly excused himself. I felt a little bad for Baines for an instant. Owen’s reaction was one Baines had gotten used to over the last few weeks. It was like he’d become the town jinx. When Baines walked in, most people assumed the worst.

“You holding up all right?” Baines asked me.

I lifted my empty apron. “I’ll be living off mac and cheese and ramen this month, but yeah. I’m getting by.”

Baines nodded. “I was expecting to see more of you. Point of fact, you reneged on your promise.”

“I’m sorry?”

I pulled a draft mug from behind the bar and offered to fill it from the tap. Baines shook his head. “I’m on duty tonight. Fill it with club soda and I’ll be grateful.”

I did as he asked and slid the mug over. Baines took a long sip.

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