by Jill S. Behe
“You could be right.”
“Okay,” Teal tapped the table. “A slight deviation from the present train of thought. Levi, I have a question.”
“Ask.”
“Is your gut instinct just that, or an extra special talent?”
He looked puzzled for a moment. “You think my acid reflux is a special ability? Like yours, or Deck’s?”
She shrugged. “Decker says it has saved him, and—I would imagine—your unit, many times during your enlistment.”
He stabbed a look at Decker. “You told her that?”
“She’s guessing.” He stated, giving Teal a glance. “We never discussed my military years, except to say that you and I went through some bad stuff. Nothing specific.”
“Then how—? Oh, I see. You had an epiphany, right?”
“No.” Teal gave a laugh. “It really was just a guess, but I’ve picked up a few things. Was I right?”
He frowned, taking a moment to study her. The woman was interested, and he shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t have a clue. Growing up, I always had a bad bellyache whenever things were about to go haywire. Never questioned it.”
“Thank you. I don’t know, either. As I said, I was curious. My gift doesn’t work that way. But it sounds to me like it could be something a bit more than a bellyache. Only my opinion, you understand.”
“Well, hell. Guess it doesn’t matter. Can’t make it go away.”
“You should pay more attention to what’s going on when it starts, and when it stops.”
“That’s something I don’t have to pay attention to. I know exactly when.”
“I mean, write down the day and time, and log what’s going on. Keep a journal kind of thing. That way you can go back and track it.” She shrugged. “Just a suggestion.”
He studied her again, then nodded. “I’ll give it some thought. Thanks.” He reached into his shirt pocket, and cleared his throat. “Uh, Deck?”
“Yeah?”
He held out the badge the man had left on the desk. “I, uh, I’d like you to have this back, if you’ve a mind to carry it again.”
Decker stared at it, then looked at his friend. “I don’t want to sound arrogant or pompous, nor do I think I’m better than you, but as I don’t think you can close this case without me, yeah, I’ll wear it. Unless you get a bee up your butt again, then all bets are off.”
Levi gave him a sheepish grin. “Never said you weren’t good at your job.”
Decker snatched the badge as Levi closed his fist around it. “Give me that thing before you hurt yourself.”
He chuckled at Levi’s lowered brows.
Teal grinned.
Chapter 31
Wednesday morning….
* * *
Since he would be accompanying Teal to the nursery the next day, Decker decided a thorough recon of the place was in order. Plus, he needed some fruit trees.
Following Teal’s directions to the Strickland Floral Greenhouse on Water Dam Road, he pulled in and parked. The place wouldn’t be open for another thirty minutes, but the lot was almost full.
The sign out front proclaimed: Zachary and Marian Strickland, Proprietors. Established in 1947.
Okay. That was good to know.
He shut down the truck, opened his laptop, and Googled them. Owned and operated by the Strickland family since its inception. Passed from father to son in 1997. The father was now ninety-two, and still kicking. Zachary’s wife, daughter, and three sons all worked in the greenhouse in varying roles.
Decker figured Zachary, at around seventy, was probably looking to soon pass the business on to his heirs. Strickland Floral Greenhouse was a good solid family business.
He sent an encrypted email to Gavin requesting a background check on the business and its owners, but doubted anything would pop.
At five minutes to nine, car doors began to slam as people got out to mosey towards the entrance.
Teal had mentioned that going through the front was the only way to access the warehouse. There were two exits available from the warehouse area, but they were one way exits only. If you went through either one, you couldn’t get back in.
What Teal hadn’t mentioned, was how popular the place was. Had, in fact, said just the opposite.
He followed the crowd through the entrance, and strolled around gardening equipment, pots and tools, a florists area, and finally out into the nursery. It was a vast, cavernous place, and full of trees, plants, and flowers in all stages of development.
He shuddered at the thought of Teal being alone in this place.
The sprinkling system was in use, and caught his attention. Intrigued by its design, he stopped to watch.
A woman, Decker assumed to be the daughter, was harnessed on a zip-line-like apparatus that ran a loop around the complex, and looked as though one could zigzag across the width, too. The young lady held a remote, of sorts, pointing it at small black boxes attached to the ceiling, triggering a shower of mist over that section and continuing her actions until the entire warehouse had been thoroughly watered.
His sniper training engaged. It would be a perfect perch for a sniper, but had drawbacks. Great advantage to whoever was up there. From that vantage point, the target could be pinpointed from anywhere in the warehouse. The upside was that although there were places to take cover, those below would be (to use a cliché) sitting ducks.
The downside was, the sniper would be stuck up there with nowhere to hide or to get out of the line of fire.
The number of customers inside this area was probably why Teal hadn’t been targeted in here. Still, she’d said—at least he was sure he’d heard her say—there weren’t usually any other customers around when she was here.
He returned to the shop area, and stopped at the register near the front door. “Good morning.”
The cashier smiled at him. She gave a customer their change then turned her attention to Decker. “Hello, I’m Marion. How can I help you?”
“I was surprised at the amount of people here. Is it usually this crowded?”
“Wednesdays are notoriously slow, so we run specials on occasion. Friday afternoons, early evenings, and Saturday morning are our busiest times.”
“I see. My friend, Teal Hannigan, comes in here a lot to get flowers for the library. She mentioned being the only one in the nursery section.”
“Ah, Teal. Nice girl. Really sweet. Yes, a lot of times she is alone. Actually,” Marion stopped to think, “about eighty percent of the time.”
“How often does the watering get done? That system you have is fascinating.”
She smiled, pride shining through. “My Zac’s invention. It’s marvelous, and what a timesaver. Our daughter, Rebekah, always volunteers. She loves being up there.”
“I can imagine.”
“We…well, she, waters the plants twice a day. Sometimes three depending on how hot and dry it is, especially in summer.”
“Interesting. You always open at nine?”
“Yes, well, except Saturdays we open at eight.”
“Good to know.” He’d been thinking about putting in a few fruit trees behind the house. “Thanks for the information. I’ll definitely be back.”
“You’re welcome. Enjoy your day.”
“You, as well.”
Chapter 32
Friday afternoon….
* * *
Levi and Decker, having finished lunch at the only decent diner in Crescent Falls, walked down the sidewalk to Levi’s department issue SUV. Decker was parked across the street. They stopped at Levi’s vehicle and while they continued their conversation, a car pulled into the parking spot in front of them. Two young women got out. They were in their mid to late twenties, and dressed in typical co-ed attire: Cargo shorts, sweat shirts, and hiking boots.
They were also having a heated argument.
“Why did you stop here?” The passenger waved a creased map. “We’re not even half way there.”
“Because I’m
hungry and because your voice is giving me a headache. I’m going to get something to eat. You, can stay in the car, for all I care.”
The passenger rounded the vehicle, trying to head off her angry friend, but still continued her rant. “This whole trip was your idea. You asked me along to be your navigator. If you weren’t going to follow the directions, why did you invite me?”
“Oh! Would you please just shut up?”
“Ladies, may we be of assistance?” Decker took a step toward them as they passed him and Levi. “Do you need directions?”
Both women halted.
The driver glared, but at the attention of the two men, her look softened and she smiled. “No. Thank you. I know where I’m going.” Then she looked at the other girl, and the angry look came back. “You can tell her to TAKE A HIKE!” She turned and continued up the walk to the diner.
“That’s what started this whole mess.” The second girl paused next to Decker and waved her arms in frustration. The map flapped wildly. “She wants to hike The Cornice Lookout and watch for Eagles. We were on track about forty miles back, but then she missed a turn, and we ended up here. I’ve been trying to get her to look at the map,” She stared at her friend’s retreating back. “But she’s being BELLIGERENT!”
Levi stepped around Decker. “Let’s take a look at your map. She may not be too far off.”
The girl’s eyes rounded. “What? Oh, please tell me she isn’t right. I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Levi chuckled.
“Hi. Thanks for taking pity on us. My name’s Brooke, Brooke Freeman. My friend is Megan Delaney. We’re roommates at University of Colorado, Boulder.”
“I’m Decker Brogan. My friend here, is Chief of Police Levi Kincaid.”
“Geez.” An eye roll. “Figures we’d get the cops involved at some point.”
Again chuckling, Levi shoved at Decker. “Here now,” Levi took the map and spread it on the hood of his vehicle. The three of them bent over it, Decker’s hand on Brooke’s shoulder. “Here’s where you are right now…” Levi slid his finger along the road line on the map, “…up here is where you’re headed. So, yes, if you’d followed the route you have marked, you’d be there already, but you can still get there from here, and it’s not too far out of the way.”
Brooke pulled a red felt tip pen out of her pocket of her shorts and marked the new route. “Thank you so much. Both of you. Now I better go find her, and grab a burger before she leaves without me.”
“You’re welcome. Glad we could be of help.”
Chapter 33
Saturday afternoon….
Sierra Kincaid’s birthday.
* * *
Teal, excited about being invited to celebrate Sierra’s birthday, had arrived at Decker’s house early, but then had to wait for him to finish getting ready.
She was sitting at the bar in the kitchen, chin on her palm. “What do you do?”
Decker was buttoning his shirt. “In what respect?”
“During the days I don’t see you. Do you just putter around the house? I can’t imagine that. How do you fill your days?”
“You mentioned it once, and I told you about all the furniture I make. That’s what I do. I build…things.”
“Yes, you did tell me, and that you made a passable income from it. I guess it didn’t sink in that it’s how you pass the time. Do you make other things, besides furniture?”
He shrugged. “I’ve made a rocking horse, or two. Wooden toys, lamps and picture frames, among other things. I can build rooms, put up walls, etcetera. I also do finish work.”
“Finish work?”
“Trim out windowsills, lay crown molding, wainscoting, things like that.”
She sat back, sipping the tea he’d made, pondering.
He continued, seating himself on the stool next to her. “And I sometimes take some of my pieces to a shop in town. Which was also mentioned before.”
“Yes, you did tell me that. On consignment, right? Which shop?”
“Yes.” Smiling. “You going to check it out?”
“Of course.”
“How about I show you where the creation takes place?”
She set down the mug. “Your private sanctuary?”
“Ha. If you want to call it that.” He paused. “For a while it was, then I just stopped going out there. It was almost painful. Until recently. Then, Levi asked me to make something for him.”
She wanted to sigh, but didn’t. “I’d love to see it. But only if you’re comfortable with the idea.”
“I am. But we have a prior engagement that requires our attendance in thirty minutes.”
“Yes. Yes, we do. Thanks, again, for the invite.”
“Not of my doing. I need to—”
Bella barked.
“She’s going along?”
“Oh, yeah. She and Rex are great pals. It’s almost like they knew each other before.”
“Rex?”
“Sierra’s dog.”
“Ah. Is he a lab-mix, too?”
“You’re thinking they might be related? No way. He’s a Tibetan Mastiff.”
“Oh, my goodness.” Teal took her mug to the sink and rinsed it. “He must be huge.”
“Mountainous. But a great dog. You’ll need a formal introduction, though. He’s obsessive about his protection.”
“I see. Thanks for the warning.”
“Yeah, and speaking of warnings. I was about to say that your invite came from Bethany. She’s known for her interrogations of unsuspecting guests.”
She patted his arm. “No worries. I’m sure I can waylay her if things get dicey.”
He laughed and slid off the stool. “It will be interesting to watch. You ready?”
“I just have to get Sierra’s gift out of my car.”
“Great. Let’s go.”
She picked up her keys and purse and followed him outside. After retrieving the small package, she noticed a bright blue tarp covering the bed of his truck as she got closer.
She slid in next to him. “You made something for Sierra?”
“I made it, but it’s not from me. Hope she likes it.”
“Not from you?”
“Commissioned by Levi, after discussing it with Bethany.”
“Ah. The thing that made you go back to what you love doing. Can’t wait to see what it is.” She strapped in. “Does Sierra have a boyfriend?”
The stunned look he turned on her made her laugh.
“God forbid, Teal. Geez, she’s just a little—”
“She’s sixteen, Decker. She’ll be learning to drive soon, too.”
How the hell did that happen? Shaking his head, he started chuckling. “Poor Levi. His gut’s not going to ever be calm.”
At the Kincaid residence, they went up the front steps. Bella, tail wagging, began to yip.
Decker grinned. “She’s excited. Can you tell?”
Teal squeeze his arm as the door opened.
There was a deep ferocious bark from inside. Decker’s elbow bumped her side. “That was for you. He scents a stranger. Just stand still.”
“I’m no dummy. See if I move.”
Bethany opened the door a crack. “Heel, Rex. Friends.”
Bella pushed her nose inside.
“Bella.”
At Decker’s command, the lab-mix halted, then backed up, whining. “Wait until you’re invited.”
She plopped her butt on the porch rug.
“That’s better. Okay, Bethy.”
Grabbing a handful of thick black fur, Bethany Kincaid opened the door wider, and nodded to Teal. “Stretch out your hand. Let him sniff it. Rex, friend.”
Teal did as she was bid. A huge black head appeared, nose twitching over her hand. Then a big black tongue lapped at it, making her grimace. “Cold and wet, but no teeth. Good news, right?”
Bethany laughed. “Yes. Come on in.”
“Oh my god, he looks like a lion. A gorgeous black lion.”
�
�Yes. And a hairy, shedding one, at that.” Bethany laughed again. “Decker, Levi’s parents just got here. They’re anxious to see you.”
“Spent almost as much time at their house as I did at my own. Looking forward to catching up with them. It’s been a while.”
Inside the door, finally, black and blonde danced crazily around each other.
Bethany waved Teal and Decker in, and yelled at the dogs, “Out back, you two. Sierra, let these dogs out.”
“Okay, mom. Guess that means Uncle Decker’s here.”
The teen came down the hallway on the run and leaped. Decker, expecting the greeting, caught her neatly in a hug.
“Hiya, Unc!”
“Hiya, birthday girl.”
Levi leaned against the wall, grinning. “You know, one of these years you’re going to be too old to do that.”
“Maybe, but until then, keep your guard up, Uncle Deck.”
“I was talking to your old uncle.”
“Hahaha, dad. Uncle Deck’s not old.”
Decker set her on her feet, exaggerating a groan. “Good thing you’re skinny, kid.”
“Another funny man. What’d ya bring me?”
“Sierra!”
Her mom sounded shocked, but didn’t look it.
Teal, puzzled by the exchanges, watched, silent.
Sierra boldly unzipped Decker’s jacket, patting his pockets. “Come on. Come on. Where is it?”
Teal’s eyes narrowed. The girl wasn’t like this at the library.
Bethany leaned close. “This ritual has been going on since she was about three years old. She’s not really getting fresh.”
“Oh, that’s not— Um.”
Bethany laughed. “She’s not a spoiled brat, either. Well, not so much.”
“Okay.”
“Where is it, Uncle Deck? You always hide it.”
“You need to practice patience.”
She took a step away. “Please, Uncle Decker.”
“Not until I at least say hello to your grandparents. I’m not rude like…you.” He tweaked her nose and started through the hall, then turned and reached a hand back for Teal, but looked at Sierra. “You know Miss Hannigan.”