Summer Flash Burn

by Unger, Erin;

  He flipped the light in the office back on and moved to his desk.

  Christopher let us go in front of him. “Do you remember a scroll of papers that my dad kept with him? I can’t find them, and I hope you either know where they are or what’s on them.”

  Mr. Thompson stroked his thick brow. “I’m not sure to what you’re referring.” He combed a few hairs over his bald spot. “Wait a minute, I know which ones you’re talking about. He bought them off one of our vendors. Let me think about which one it was.”

  I fiddled with the seam of my jeans and then my braid. Couldn’t this guy think a little faster?

  Pulling out several files, he shuffled through them one by one. “This may take a long time, and I have dinner plans.”

  Christopher leaned on his knuckles at the desk. “No worries, we can take it from here and look through the cabinets ourselves if you give us a direction.”

  Looking from one end of the office to the other, Mr. Thompson wrinkled his forehead and scuffled his feet. “I don’t know…”

  Christopher took the lead once again. “It’ll be fine. I won’t mess with your order in here.”

  “Well, most likely it’s on the computer in the bookkeeping file. All of it’s ordered by vendor. Near the end…your father wasn’t so good at keeping records. I’m still trying to get all his paperwork into the computer system. All those papers on top of the far cabinet are the ones that still need to be put into the system. And it’s going to take you a long time to figure it out, but do what you want.” He doubled back. “Oh, I’ll let Tess know you’re back here working. Do you have your key on you, Christopher?”

  “I do. Thanks.”

  What was he so nervous about? As soon as the manager left, we started looking through old receipts and piles of papers. Ava reminded us to keep the place as neat as possible one more time than she needed to.

  Jillian went straight to the computer. Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she searched.

  As much as I hated doing this kind of work, somehow having Christopher there made it much more bearable. I handed him a couple files, but he kept pacing between the door and the desk. “What’s up?”

  It took him a second before his eyes met mine, and the russet flecks in them captured my attention. “What if it’s someone here who’s responsible? I’ll keep a lookout while you all do your work. Just in case.”

  How I wished it was me who didn’t have to rummage through the papers.

  Ava’s phone rang, and we startled at the same time. “It’s Leona.”

  She set the file in her hand at an angle on top of the others and moved to the corner of the room. When she hung up, she picked up the file again. “Leona wants to know if there’s anything she can help us investigate.”

  Jillian stopped her wild typing. “She’s been very eager to be involved in this case, hasn’t she?”

  “I like her, and she’d be an asset to this company.”

  Someone to replace me? I paused and looked from Jillian to Ava. I definitely did not share the same feelings, but it would give me an out.

  Back to typing, Jillian sighed. “Do you think she has the time to work with us and to do her ME job as well?”

  Ava put the file down and picked up a new one. “First, we need to talk about it before we bring it up to her, and then all we can do is ask.”

  When I didn’t look at either one of them, both of them stopped what they were doing. Ava put her hand on her hip. “Want to tell us why you’re being so quiet when you always have a strong opinion about things? Especially her.”

  I pulled the file up a little higher so they couldn’t see my eyes, but Ava pulled it back down and blinked at me.

  “Can we talk about this later? Right now, I want to focus on the case.”

  Ava pursed her lips and tilted her head but returned to the work she was doing.

  Five minutes later, Jillian pounded the table with her hand and gave a whoop. “I think I found it.” Excitement buzzed through every word. “It says here the item number is 2323. Let me cross-reference that to a seller.”

  I smiled and dropped the papers in my hand onto the pile Ava had worked. Yes. No more boring paper searches.

  Christopher stopped his vigilant march back and forth and put his hands up as if in thanksgiving. I said my own thankful prayer.

  We all stood in front of Jillian, waiting like eager puppies. A bunch of clicks later, Jillian read the name on the account. “It’s a Mr. Francis Bache. Let me see if he sold anything else that might be linked to the map or paper.” She looked at the computer screen. “Now I don’t see any other thing sold by him, so I’m guessing that he’s not a regular vendor.”

  Christopher tried to peek around the computer screen. “I kind of recognize the name but I don’t know how I know it. Maybe my dad mentioned him once or twice.”

  Ava checked the phone number on the computer screen and dialed it into her phone.

  Once again, we all lined up along the desk waiting to hear what he had to say.

  Christopher stood close to me, his yummy cologne eating at my senses.

  When she hung up the phone, Ava set it on the pile of papers. “He can’t meet with us tonight but said that tomorrow would be fine.”

  I grabbed the phone and handed it back to her. “Call him again and tell him we’re coming now. We have to solve this case like now. I haven’t even had a chance to tell you things that happened to Christopher earlier today. He’s in danger. Let’s finish this work.”

  Ava rested her hand against the desk. “As much as I would like to do it, we’re at his mercy. It’s dinner time, so why don’t we get a bite to eat and relax for a while?”

  How did Ava even think it was possible to relax after my gut said the papers were the answer? People needed to see how important this case was, and we needed to start making them do it our way and in our timeframe. A stare down didn’t change her mind, not even when I crossed my arms and leaned in closer. Fine, but I didn’t have to like it.

  39

  Christopher

  We all trudged out of the mini mall, heads down and attitudes in check. I locked the door. For the first time this week, the temperature had dropped into a comfortable low 80s, but the wind was blowing. I shoved the hair out of my face. “If you don’t mind, I’d like Shauna to ride with me. We’ll meet you back at the B&B unless you plan to go straight to a restaurant. In that case—”

  Ava put up her hand. “I think that’s a good idea. I’d like to get freshened up myself.”

  Scuffing her boot against a rock, which was a little bigger than most of them in the parking lot, Shauna did a poor job trying to look like she couldn’t care one way or the other with whom she rode.

  Jillian spun off in the SUV, but I took my time starting my truck. But Shauna’s usual gung-ho attitude seemed a little more subdued now. I also squirmed. My stomach gurgled like a high school kid’s on his first date. Why was I waiting? I almost began to speak when I remembered her faith and how it defined her. But I wasn’t totally squared with the Lord yet. Indeed, maybe I wasn’t ready to come to terms with God.

  I pressed my lips together, revved the engine, and then pulled away. How cute was it when Shauna came around the side of the stand to yell at me? I couldn’t hold in the smile that worked across my mouth. Twice when I took her hand, she didn’t pull away. Not at first. Even Aunt Eena had picked up on how special Shauna was.

  Thoughts of Aunt Eena circled. Mom mixed in with the maelstrom of doubts. She’d abandoned me. What if Shauna and I got together and then she left me like Mom had? Even though Aunt Eena had told me to let it go, and I was starting to be able to, I still struggled with the possibility. Shauna was considering going back into the military…But it wasn’t the same thing. It wasn’t straight-up abandonment. It was a plan, and Shauna wasn’t my mother.

  I repeated the mantra over and over in my head. If it would only stick and release me from the ball of stress that knotted my stomach all the way to the B&B.
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  I parked, and we sat in silence.

  Shauna didn’t move to get out of the truck. God, I’m trying… When she reached for the door handle, I reached for her arm and she stopped. “Shauna, I…umm…know you have certain expectations, and I’m working on it.”

  She turned a little in the seat and raised an eyebrow.

  “What I’m trying to say is, can we go out tonight on our own?”

  She stared at me and opened her mouth but didn’t say anything. Heat chased adrenaline through my veins.

  “We can talk about the case if you want. Or we can talk about…other things.”

  She gave a light chuckle. “I guess we can. This case is great to talk about, especially over dinner.”

  Was she making a joke? “OK.” I drew out the word.

  “See you in a half hour?” Shauna took a few steps backward to catch my response.

  “Yes, in a half hour.” Phew. I leaned my head against the steering wheel and breathed. It was official. There was an “us.” With a chuckle, I touched my chin where Shauna had planted a kiss on me. Nice, gutsy move.

  We went our separate ways at the top of the stairs, but Aunt Eena stopped me before I rushed down the hall. “Hey, nephew of mine. Come down and see this old lady for a minute.”

  Why’d she always referred to herself as an old lady? She was faster and sprier than any others I knew. I hurried down to the library and gave her a quick hug.

  “It’s kind of nice having you around here again. Have a seat and tell me what’s happening.” She squinted at me. “I can tell by the light in your face that something’s changed.”

  Just when I’d had a few minutes to consider all the ramifications of what had happened over the past few days, Aunt Eena wanted a definitive answer about what was going on. And she didn’t mean about the case. “I’m taking Shauna out for dinner tonight.”

  Aunt Eena clapped her hands together. “I knew if I prayed hard enough you would come around. And there are a few other things I’m still praying about too.” She winked at me. “But I’ll let God do the talking there.”

  “Keep working on that prayer, Auntie.”

  She sat straight up so fast the chair rocked. “I will.”

  I hurried to the door. “I better get ready.”

  “Don’t forget to come tell me how it all went.” She strained to watch me leave.

  Why did I need a mother when I had Aunt Eena?

  40

  Shauna

  What am I going to do? What am I going to do? A date with the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen had not been in the works even yesterday. I looked in the mirror for the third time and upbraided my hair. The nice waves created by the braid brought a small sense of fanciness to it. Good, at least I wouldn’t have to struggle with it.

  Ava peeked over my shoulder, a smile on her lips. “You absolutely have to wear a dress. You’ve got to surprise him.”

  I fluffed my hair a tiny bit then scowled at my reflection. Girlie girls fluffed hair—not soldiers like me. “I didn’t bring anything other than a pair of flip-flops. That’ll look dumb with a dress.”

  “Well flip-flops are better than a pair of combat boots.” Jillian smirked back at me through the mirror.

  I disagreed.

  Ava hurried to her closet and pulled out two dresses. “Which one? We’re both about the same size. This red one would look great with your black hair.”

  Jillian moved my hair out of the way so she could see the dresses. “Oh, I agree. The red one will look fabulous on you.”

  “Why can’t I wear my camo? He needs to understand he gets what he sees and nothing else.”

  Ava stomped her foot and dropped the second dress back onto the suitcase at the bottom of the closet. “It wouldn’t hurt you to have a little variety.”

  “Fine, as soon as we get home, I’ll search for a camouflage dress just to make you happy.” I raised my brows at her.

  Jillian almost fell on the floor laughing.

  Looking at the clock, I rushed to get dressed. When I turned, Ava was holding her makeup bag. “Forget it.” I put up my fists. “I’ll take you down if you even try to put that stuff on me.”

  Then Ava laughed almost as hard as Jillian. “I’ll be happy if you put on a little bit of lipstick. That’s all I’m asking.”

  “Fine,” I huffed. I gave in and opened the bathroom door. “Got any clear stuff?”

  “No way.” Ava rushed in and pulled out a couple sticks before I had a chance to change my mind. “You need some color.”

  I puckered my lips and took the brightest stick out of Ava’s hand. I’d show them. I applied the lipstick and handed it back to Ava. “See? How do you like it?

  Ava nearly jumped up and down. “It looks great on you.”

  Not the reply I hoped for. I was actually going for the shock factor but as usual Ava missed my sarcasm.

  I pulled at the dress. If Ava thought we were close to the same size, she had something coming to her. I hunched my shoulders trying to get comfortable in the dress that was a little too tight at the top. My broad shoulders stretched the material a little. Good thing it had no sleeves.

  Jillian waited in the room, holding out my flip flops. I slipped them on in hopes that they didn’t clash too much with the red dress.

  My stomach fluttered, and my fingers tingled as I descended the circular staircase to meet Christopher in the foyer.

  When he didn’t comment on my dress, I smoothed the skirt to make sure everything was in place. What gives? Great. I could go right back up and put my camo shirt on if he didn’t care about it. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’d better change. I just thought…”

  He stopped me and spun me around to face him. My flesh tingled where he touched me. “I like it. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable. That’s all, but I can see I caused the opposite effect. I know you don’t like wearing dresses.”

  “Who told you?”

  He smiled. “I can tell.”

  I teetered between running back up the stairs or leaving without another thought about the dress.

  “I mean it. Don’t even think about changing because you look amazing.”

  My hair began to cling to my neck. I pushed at it, wondering too late if I’d made it frizzy. Oh wait, my gun was still upstairs, but I’d have to wear a thigh holster and my smallest gun. Might as well grab one of my knives and store it in the purse thingy I borrowed too. “I’ll be right back, and I promise I won’t change. I just forgot something.”

  I pulled and tugged on the dress all the way to the restaurant. How had my friends ever talked me into this torture device? The pub-style restaurant’s dim lighting didn’t set me at ease as it did the other patrons whose quiet conversations buzzed together to create white noise. It only made it hard to scope out faces at the back of the bar. But I tried to relax into the booth across from Christopher with yet another tug at my bodice. The onions in my Philly steak and cheese sub wafted up but still couldn’t entice me enough to eat. How foolish is it to eat onions on a first date?

  The waitress cleared our plates and set the bill holder on the table beside Christopher. He picked it up and put some money in it. “It doesn’t seem fair that we spent the whole night talking about the case. We’re supposed to be getting away from it for a while.”

  I turned to the front when new customers arrived to be seated. His gusto to pick apart every detail rivaled my own curiosity. “Hey, if you need to work through it again, it’s fine with me.”

  “I guess that means we’ll have to have another date then.” Christopher pulled the napkin off his lap and set it on the table.

  I squirmed. How far away was Uppland from home? Not so far that I wouldn’t return again to see him. I pulled at my armhole and shifted in the seat. He watched me, and I tried not to fidget too much. Those eyes that smiled back at me tonight made me want to fidget even more. I’d hoped that talking about the case and eating would settle
the flutter in my stomach, but it continued even still, making it hard to eat very much.

  Christopher reached over and stilled my hand on the table. I held very still, not wanting him to let go. “Do you think your team could stay a few extra days if needed?”

  The warmth of his hand soaked into my own. My pulse picked up even more. “I’d like to—I mean we have to clear it with Ava. And your Aunt.”

  His brows knit together. “Why?”

  “She’s booked this weekend. I doubt she has the space.”

  “Oh.”

  Christopher was such a nice guy. Even when he was hurt himself, he had thought of me, and he always looked out for me when we were investigating together.

  We both stopped and stared at each other. I wriggled again then blurted out, “But what if I go into the military? I don’t know if this is such a good idea.”

  He inched forward and rested muscular forearms on the table. “What are we talking about…like a for sure thing…or you’re still thinking about it? Not that I want to influence you. I want you to make your own decision about it. Don’t put me into the equation, because this has to be what you want. Whether it’s here, or whether you’re moving on to do things for the Army.”

  And there he went again putting my needs above his own. I squeezed his hand. “I’ve sunk a lot of prayer into it. And I’m still working on it. I’ll let you know when I know.”

  His thumb made circles on the back of my hand. “It’s a big decision.”

  There was one final thing that I had to consider before much else happened between us. No way could I date someone who wasn’t a Christian. And even if that someone was a Christian, they needed to have an active relationship with God. He didn’t, and I knew it, but… Well, there were no buts in the matter. As much as I didn’t want to, I pulled away and sat back against the pleather seats. “Got any good churches around here? I saw a couple really nice old stone cathedral-style buildings. Is one of them the church you used to attend?”