In Her Shadow by Kristin Miller

Author:Kristin Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2020-04-20T16:00:00+00:00

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The town of Pacifica is a gem. Tucked on the coast between San Francisco and Point Reina, it’s a short jog off Highway 1, a six-mile stretch of picturesque beaches and sprawling hills twenty minutes south of the city. Although it’s larger than Point Reina, Pacifica is still relatively quiet—an oasis for surfers and hikers and those seeking refuge from the daily grind.

I could see why someone like Dean—someone who spends his workday shuffling meals between Point Reina and San Francisco—would like it here.

Patel’s GPS sparks to life, informing us that Dean’s residence, Seascape Apartments, is ahead on the right. Painted brown and muted green, the complex fades into the landscape and looks as though it hasn’t been remodeled in the last few decades. The lawns are mowed short, the trees trimmed back. It’s the view at the end of the street that sells the place. A brisk, two-minute walk to the west and I’d be standing in the surf.

“What does Dean drive?” Patel asks, frowning at the line of parked cars at the curb. “A Camaro?”

“2012 Mustang Convertible. Kona blue. Bought it three years ago. According to DMV records, he’s the second owner.”

“Did I tell you about my wife’s new car?” Patel kills the engine. “She’s in love. Better be, considering they asked for one of my kidneys as collateral. If I thought I was broke before, I had no idea. You should hear the plans she has for our new pool.”

I make a sound of agreement as he goes on about the infinity pool they’re putting in.

“The promotion’s going to be perfect timing,” Patel rambles on.

“Promotion?” I hadn’t heard anything about it.

“Didn’t I mention my meeting with the lieutenant? Sure I did. He said the Harris case is getting national attention now. Said it wouldn’t look good for the department if the case stalled. They want us to wrap it up quickly. Might be a promotion in it for me if we do.”

It all makes sense. The promotion is perfect timing. Especially if he and his wife have already spent the money he’d earn from the raise. No wonder he wants a reckless pursuit of Joanna Harris’s killer, leading to a quick arrest.

But that’s not how I work. He should know that by now.

“Let me be the first to congratulate you then,” I say, without bothering to keep the cynicism from my tone. “Can we get back to work now?”

Without waiting for an answer, I exit the cruiser, slamming the door behind me. He follows and meets me at the curb as a surfer passes by, lugging a board. The breeze carries a scent of sand and salt. I breathe in deeply and take in my surroundings. Run-down duplexes across the street. Dead-end road. Seagulls swooping in the distance. No traffic. Not much beach parking. Actually, there’s hardly enough street parking for Seascape’s tenants. There must be a private lot, or—there it is. Up ahead, past the complex, a driveway turns off the main road.

“I’m going to check out the tenant garages,” I tell Patel.

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