They stood outside the agency.
“You’re not feeding me a line of bull are you? Because if you are, I’ll make you sorry you crossed me—Gage.” River glared at him.
“I believe you would.”
“Let me give it some thought.”
“Are you busy at seven tonight?” Gage checked the time on his phone.
“I’ll probably still be here doing research.”
“I’ll stop by and pick you up. There’s a great grill down on the water. See you then.”
He walked away and left her standing there. Had he just asked her on a date? He did insist she call him, Gage. Don’t be silly, she knew all he wanted was to pump her for information. She shook her head and walked into the agency.
“Good morning, boss,” Cory greeted her. “What a nice way to start the day, having coffee with Detective Hunky.”
“We were discussing the case. He’s trying to pump me for information is all.”
“Naw, you’re too cute. I say he wants to pump you, period.”
“Ha-ha,” River said, as Cory’s eyes ran with tears of laughter. “I’m so thrilled to be fodder for everyone’s morning. Let’s talk business shall we?” She waited for Cory to get a grip on her emotions. “We’re going to hold a weekly meeting on Monday mornings starting next week. We’ll need you here by eight. We’re hoping to keep everyone better informed.”
Chapter Six
River spent the morning checking out every person Blake and Garnet had on their lists. They had a few names in common, but the interesting part was the majority of each list had totally different subjects. It wasn’t really unusual. She learned in her years on the force if you asked ten people what they saw, you would get ten original answers. Throw in different genders and the sky was the limit. Men and women looked at people and situations in completely different ways.
By checking out social media pages, River got a basic overview of each person. She wanted to narrow her list down to six or seven names that jumped out at her. She’d do more in-depth research on each of them. If she came up empty, she’d start over with a new list of possibilities.
****
Gage tried the door and found it locked. She’d probably stood him up; he couldn’t blame her if she had. So far he’d shown her his dickhead side. Frankly, it surprised him she’d agreed to dinner in the first place. He knocked and waited. A few seconds later, River walked into the reception area. She unlocked the door and let him in.
“I’m not late, am I? Are you here alone?” he asked.
“The place tends to empty out quickly on Friday nights. The girls asked me to join them for a quick bite to eat and a movie. I told them I still had too much research to get through and needed to put in a few more hours.”
He noticed she hadn’t mentioned him to her friends.
“I thought it smarter to lock the door, since I can’t see it from the back room,” she said.
“You need to install a security camera,” Gage said.
“It’s on our list.”
“You mean to tell me the past owners had no security cameras?”
“Seems they were old school, trusted everyone, had no cameras and no system. We’ve installed a security alarm, a priority in order to afford our insurance. Come on back while I get my stuff together.”
“Here, let me help you,” he said, as she grabbed her laptop, purse, and overflowing briefcase.
“The grill is a few blocks away, I planned on walking. Why don’t we leave all your stuff behind the reception desk and pick it up on the way back? I’ll walk you home afterward.”
“That’s not necessary. I can get home.”
“This may be difficult for you to believe, given my past performances, but my dad raised me to be a gentleman. At times I attempt to practice that quality.”
River gave Gage a quick sideways glance and smirked. He could tell she was dying to make a comment; instead she stacked her things behind the desk, except for a single file she tucked under her arm. She dug through her purse, pulled out her keys, and headed to the door. They walked down to the water, past the ferry dock, and continued down Alaskan Way.
“This is the place,” Gage said, as he pulled the door open for her.
“I’ve never noticed this place before,” River said.
“It’s one of the myriads of hole-in-the-wall eateries unique to this city.”
They were seated at a table in front of the window with a spectacular view of the Puget Sound. The waiter brought them water and a bottle of wine.
“I fall in love with the city more and more each day,” River said.
“I know what you mean, I wouldn’t live anyplace else, and I’ve lived in a number of places,” Gage said.
“Where are you from?”
“Don’t I feel like a heel?”
“What do you mean?” She frowned and blinked at him.
“I did an internet search on you. I thought for sure you’d do the same.”
“I guess I should be flattered.”
“Since you didn’t, I’m an open book. I was born in Seattle. I left when I turned eighteen to join the Navy and see the world. You know the old itch, ʽI’m bored, and much too smart to stay in the same city I grew up in’?”
“And yet you returned?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Like I said, I wouldn’t live anywhere else.”
“What did you do in the Navy?”
“I flew fighter jets, the one thing I do miss. Still, I get in the cockpit a few times each year. I put in ten years and decided it was time to come home. I’d wanted to be a cop as long as I could remember. Yep, typical boy, pilot and cop. Guess there’s still time to become a firefighter should the urge arise.”
He noticed River relax. She sat back in her chair and picked up her wine. All the while her eyes danced with what looked to him like enjoyment. He took in a slow breath and sat back. He needed to keep his wits about him when he was around this woman. She was bewitching. A man could fall into the deep blue depths of her eyes and never be heard from again.
“My turn,” he said.
“You grew up in Oregon. You went to college, majored in Criminal Justice and Psychology, and moved to Bear Creek, Montana, to serve on their police department. I don’t mean to offend you, but why Montana? It’s too cold in the winters, and too hot in the summers.”
“It’s also a breathtaking place. I enjoyed Montana and got to see most of the state. I took the job because they were the first to offer me a position. I wanted to secure a job on my own. I thought a small town would be a good place to start, and in a lot of ways I was right. Unfortunately, the cowboys in Montana aren’t just on the open ranges; they also carry handguns and drive police cruisers. However, no matter how much I outperformed my male counterparts, I would never be promoted above them.”
“Why didn’t you transfer to another department, or another state?”
“I’d thought about moving. My goal was to make detective. My friends and I met here and spent a week together. While we were here, I saw the ad regarding the sale of the agency. Something just clicked inside me. I wanted to become a private investigator; I studied and got my license. Believe me, it has some drawbacks. I don’t have all the avenues for information at my fingertips like I did when I was a cop. Even so, I love what I’m doing, except for one thing.”
“What might that be?”
“The less-than-pleased looks I get from cops when I tell them what I do.”
“Guilty…sorry about my initial attitude. In case you didn’t pick up on it, I’m trying to redeem myself.” He waggled one eyebrow.
“I see. I think I’ll choose to believe you’re being sincere, until you prove me wrong.”
Gage feigned offense. He dropped his jaw and gave a little t
witch of his shoulders and head. “Well, Ms. Nightingale, I believe you just insulted me.”
“No, not at all. Like any good investigator, I can only base my deductions on past performance.” She gave him a wink. “Are you going to tell me why you invited me to dinner?”
“You mean for reasons other than your tantalizing personality?”
She nearly choked on the wine as a full belly laugh erupted from her. The sound was so pure and joyful, he couldn’t help but join in—even though he was sincerely shocked at his own reaction. Once the two of them could breathe again, he broached the subject.
“I’m going out on a limb here, but I believe you already have a good idea,” he said.
“Let me guess. You’ve way too many suspects and little time.”
“That about sums it up. Like I said before, we both want the same thing. Does it matter more to you to solve the homicide on your own, or make damn sure the scumbag gets to see the inside of a prison? I mean after all, you’ve already managed to hand me my balls.”
“Detective Hamlin, is that your way of apologizing?”
“Am I more likely to get your help if I say yes?”
She pulled the file from beside her.
“I’m not going to regret this, am I.” It wasn’t a question. It was a demand. “We’re going to share information regarding this case. And…when I come to you with a request, you are going to help me.”
He saw the fire in her eyes. He believed this was the beginning of a wonderful relationship.
“On that you have my word.”
She opened the file and handed him copies of the two lists.
“There are a couple of the same names, but most of the names are different,” he said.
She explained to him where she got the lists, and showed him her list of five possibilities.
“Based on the two lists, these are your best guesses?”
“Yes, with one addition. Ellis.”
“The boyfriend?”
“Not any more. As of yesterday afternoon, in the middle of the workday, and the middle of Garnet’s office, he proposed.”
“What the hell?”
“His attempt to comfort and support her—or so he and Garnet insist.”
“This is a great start. I’ll dig in deeper and see what falls out,” Gage said, glancing down at the two lists.
“Good. It will free me up for a few days to work on another case I’ve had to put on the back burner.”
“Anything I can help you with?”
“I highly doubt it. Not unless your reach goes clear out to Cellar Glen.”
“A little bedroom community, about forty minutes outside of San Francisco?”
“Yes.”
“Well…it just so happens I’m taking a plane to San Francisco tomorrow.”
“Really.”
“No, you don’t understand. I’m flying a private jet there. Want to join me?”
She squinted her gorgeous eyes at him. “How is it you can afford to own your own jet?”
“I didn’t say I owned it. I said I was flying it. A Navy buddy of mine owns a charter company. We trade favors. You’re welcome to join me.”
“Why are you going to San Francisco?”
“My baby brother lives in the city. We haven’t had a chance to see each other in months. Tomorrow is his birthday. I bought tickets for the Giants game. Good ones, right behind first base. I told him I was coming to spend the day with him. He’s going to be in seventh heaven when he gets a load of these babies.”
“What a nice thing to do. Thank you. I would love to join you.”
Gage rose from his chair and pulled out River’s.
She stood up and stared at him.
“What, do I have spinach between my teeth?”
“No. Let’s get this straight. I didn’t ask for this favor. You offered it. You still owe me.”
He leaned in closer, as if to say something he didn’t want anyone to overhear. She stood her ground, just like he knew she would. In one fluid gesture he placed a quick kiss on her silky-smooth lips. River’s eyes grew wide and in an attempt to step back, she bumped into the table. Gage reached out to balance her.
“Thank you for a productive evening, in more ways than one,” he said.
Chapter Seven
River felt euphoric as they glided along the tops of the fluffy white clouds. Gage expertly piloted the jet. The entire experience was intoxicating. Especially since she’d never flown on a small plane, let alone a private jet, and sitting in the co-pilot seat no less.
“What do you think?” Gage asked.
“This is simply amazing. I understand what draws you in. I feel like everything is right with the world and no one can touch me—invincible.”
“I’m glad I could introduce you to a whole new world. Once we go back down to earth, did you arrange for transportation?” he asked.
“Yes, there’ll be a rental waiting for me when we touchdown. What time should I meet you back at the airport?”
“How about seven? We can meet at the airport café; grab a bite to eat, and then head for home.”
River plugged the directions to Cellar Glen into the car’s GPS. According to the GPS, she should be there in about an hour. At this point all she really knew was, the town was small, a population of approximately 6,300 and most likely twenty-seven years ago, the population was even less. Cellar Glen finally joined the computer age, but they’d yet to put historical records online. River needed to do this the old-fashioned way; visit the county courthouse and search their files. Fortunately the courthouse was located in the town which would save time. She wanted to get a feel for the town, chat with some of the locals, and pay Mrs. Darnell a quick visit. The Darnells were a very well-to-do family, the first to move into Cellar Glen and commute to San Francisco for work. Mr. Darnell was the founder and owner of Darnell Enterprises, a leading import/export company. Seemed this business ran in the Darnell family. River wondered how much support, other than money, Trudy’s father had given to the start-up of Trudy and Wade’s company.
She walked into the courthouse and was instantly greeted by a friendly woman.
“Good morning, miss. You must be new to town. How may I help you?” the woman asked.
“Good morning. My name’s River Nightingale, and I’d like to do some research. I’m looking for the list of births and deaths in Cellar Glen for the past twenty-seven years.”
“I see. Looking for anyone in particular?”
“I’m here on my client’s behalf and I’m sorry that’s confidential.”
The woman studied her for a minute. She hoped the woman wouldn’t decide to shut her down.
“I’m not here to make any trouble, I promise.”
“Oh, all right. You look like a nice enough young woman. Follow me and I’ll show you to our microfiche room.”
Uggggh. Her worst nightmare—microfiche. These people needed to join the current century.
After a couple hours of searching, River found what she was looking for, a copy of the town’s newspaper for the date which coincided with the birthdate of Blake’s and Garnet’s half-sister. However, it wasn’t a list of only the births in Cellar Glen; it included two towns nearby. Now she had a list of eleven births, four boys and seven girls. Her stomach growled. She’d eaten breakfast at the crack of dawn. She glanced at her phone and realized it was time to take a break and head to the local diner, get something to eat and maybe some information. She still needed to locate the Darnell residence. Somehow they’d managed to keep their physical address from cyberspace, so she’d contacted Blake to get it.
“What’ll you have, sweetheart?” asked an older woman.
“What do you recommend?” River asked.
“Anything on the menu i
s top-notch. I taught my girls well.”
“Oh, you’re the owner? It’s a very nice place.”
“Yep, been in the family since the day it opened. My daughter and granddaughter do all the cooking now. I get to order them around and chat with the diners.”
The woman took River’s order to the kitchen and returned with her iced tea.
“In town sightseeing?” the older woman asked.
“No, on business. But I would love to come back and spend some time here. What a quaint, picturesque town.”
“Sure is, and that’s what brought lots of the folks out here to live, even though they have to drive over an hour during rush-hour traffic to get into the city.”
“Like the Darnells?”
“You know them? They’re wonderful folks, and were the first to move here and commute. They’re well-off, but never flaunt it. Don’t get me wrong, they live in a grand house up on the hill. But anytime you needed help, the Darnells were there.”
“They sound wonderful. I don’t personally know them, but I do know their grandkids,” River said.
The bell in the kitchen dinged and the older woman walked away. She returned with River’s lunch and sat down across from her.
“Ahh,” she said. “I love the job, but my old body gets tired faster. It’s a real shame about their girl, Trudy. Poor Mrs. Darnell lost her husband a couple years back, and now her daughter. Losing Trudy really hit her hard. It’s like she aged ten years in one day. Poor woman.” The older woman shook her head.
“I’m sorry to hear that. You think she’ll need to move into a home?”
“Never happen; she has no plans to leave. She might’ve aged physically, but her mind’s still sharp as a whip. She always had a housekeeper and a handyman. Until recently, she kept her own gardens. Unfortunately she needed to hire a gardener a couple months back. After Trudy’s death, she needed a full-time nurse. She turns eighty next month. The town is planning a special party. It’s a surprise.”
P.I. I Love You (Miss Demeanor Suspense Series Book 1) Page 4