Secrets in the Pines (A Detective Riley Quinn Pine Brooke Mystery Book 8) by A.J. Rivers

Author:A.J. Rivers [Rivers, A.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A.J. Rivers
Published: 2025-12-26T00:00:00+00:00

Logan Elwood

Although the circumstances weren’t ideal, I enjoyed my time with the family I had always wanted to get to know. Uncle Sonny made a point to introduce me to everyone, and I thoroughly appreciated it. Dora finally made it to the house.

“It’s nice to meet you, finally.”

Dora smiled. “Yeah, it’s been forever.” She pulled me into a hug. “Hate it has to be under these circumstances, though.”

“Yeah, I know,” I said when she finally let me go. “Are you okay?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” She shrugged and tossed her hair back over her shoulder. “You need help with the funeral?”

Susie shook her head. “Everything is under control, but thank you for asking.”

“So…” She yanked my arm toward the sofa. “Tell me all about yourself.”

At first, I wasn’t sure what to say. What could I tell her about myself that she didn’t already know? I knew she and Oliver talked all the time. He probably told her everything in one conversation. Their conversations are long. I told her about my job and about Dani.

“Don’t forget your girlfriend!” shouted Oliver from the kitchen.

I rolled my eyes. “Again, she is not my girlfriend. She’s a friend.”

“Sure!” Oliver and Susie said in unison. I was tired of trying to get them to understand. They reminded me of Isaac. The thought was a stab in the heart. I missed talking to my brother.

“Well, you’ve been busy,” she said.

“Not in a good way,” added Uncle Sonny. “He’s been through some—”

“We get it, Unc,” Oliver stopped him.

He was right. I had been busy and not in a good way. So much had gone on over the past year. One thing after another. I missed the days when I could just do my job and go home and spend time with Dani and Sac. The good old days.

“Things will get better,” said Dora. “Eventually.”

I wanted to believe her, but right now, I couldn’t get there fast enough. “Thanks for that. So tell me about you.”

Dora was a few years younger than me, with dark brown hair and almond-shaped light brown eyes. She kept mostly to herself and to her cousins. Primarily Susie and Oliver. Uncle Sonny called them the three musketeers.

“Well, I’m glad I finally get to put a grown-up face to the name.”

“I’m glad I could do that for you.”

“Wish I could meet Isaac.” A loud silence took over the space. I looked over at Oliver and Susie in the kitchen. Susie and Uncle Sonny exchanged a look. Apparently, they hadn’t mentioned what happened to Isaac to Dora. I guess it was up to me. I filled her in. The smile dropped from her face immediately.

“I don’t know what to say. Is he going to be okay?”

I took a deep breath. I wanted to say he was going to be okay. I wanted to be optimistic and reassuring. Not just for her sake but for my own. But I didn’t know whether he was going to make it or not. Being honest seemed more important than anything right now.

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