Thayer’s face lit up. “Oh, fun. Friday night starts my once in a blue moon weekend off. We’ll be here.”
Corey grunted and shifted the tray in her arms. “What she said.”
“Get out of here.” Rachel waved them off. “You’re holding up the line.”
Chapter Nine
Corey set the tray on the dining table and pulled the insulated box of coffee off the top.
“How much time do I have?” Thayer called from the kitchen.
She checked her watch. “Twenty minutes or so.”
“Good.” She came around and set four mugs on the table before brushing her lips over Corey’s. “I’m going to change and do something with my hair.”
Corey slipped her arms around her waist and pulled her closer. “You have lots of time before your shift. What’s wrong with what you’re wearing?” She kissed Thayer again, deeply.
Thayer wriggled out of her arms and headed down the hall. “Because the police are coming to interview me and I would like to look presentable.”
“Hey,” Corey called after her. “You’re wearing my shirt. What are you saying?”
“Nothing at all, sweetheart,” she sang sweetly from the bedroom. “I love you basic.”
“Basic?”
“You’re low maintenance and easy to shop for and if we both took as long as I do to get ready, we’d never go anywhere.”
“That’s a fair point.”
When the front door banged fifteen minutes early, she opened it to see Collier in his chronically ill-fitting suit and Steph Austin in her crisp uniform, both in matching aviators.
“Curtis,” Collier greeted. “Why am I not surprised to see you?”
Corey leaned against the door and fought a smile. “Because you know I’m having hot girl on girl sex with your person of interest?”
She delighted in the color that rushed to his face and Steph pressed her lips together looking like she wanted to laugh.
“First of all, she’s not a person of interest. She’s a potential witness so don’t get your knickers in a twist. Second of all, there’s no need to brag. Can we come in?”
She stepped back and motioned grandly for them to enter. They both removed their glasses like it had been choreographed.
“This place is gorgeous,” Steph said, walking to the back sliders to look out at the lake.
“Thayer is getting ready for work. She’ll be out in a minute. In the meantime…” She gestured to the spread on the table. “We have snacks, so help yourself.”
Collier grunted and poured himself a mug of coffee and palmed two pastries cramming one right into his mouth.
“With love from Rachel Wiley, by the way,” Corey added with a wink.
Collier eyed her and chomped down on his food dramatically.
Corey turned at the sound of Thayer’s heels on the hardwood as she emerged from the hall and stopped breathing, as she often did, when she saw her dressed to impress. She was wearing the black skirt that hugged her hips and flared around her legs to mid-calf and a gold blouse that matched her eyes. Her hair was dry and auburn curls fell past her shoulders held back from her face with a gold clip.
“Jim, good morning. It’s good to see you.” She extended her hand and Corey grinned at how hard he swallowed as he took it. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”
“Hey, Doc, been a while.” He nodded toward Steph who was looking at Thayer in a way that made Corey wonder if she was correct about her being straight. “My, um, associate, Officer Steph Austin.”
Thayer offered her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Officer Austin.”
“You as well, Dr. Reynolds.”
“Call me Thayer.” She poured herself a cup of coffee and headed to the living room. “We can be informal, right?”
Corey knew Thayer’s excessive charm was masking her nervousness and followed her closely.
She glanced back to see Collier snatch another pastry but Steph met her eyes, flicked her glance to Thayer and arched an appreciative brow her direction.
Corey couldn’t help her proud smirk as she settled on the sofa next to Thayer.
Steph and Collier took the opposite sofa and Collier brushed crumbs off his lap as he sat forward, setting his mug on the coffee table between them. “Sorry to disrupt your morning, but I’m sure Curtis has told you about the scene yesterday.”
Thayer crossed her legs and glanced at Corey with a small smile. “In more detail than was necessary, yes.”
Collier reached into his pocket and produced his notebook, flipping it open. “Do you know who lives on that property?”
“I’m not certain. If memory serves, the original owner was Albert Crandall. I never knew him and I don’t think he was still using the place when I started spending my summers here. He may have had some children. I don’t really recall and my grandmother didn’t discuss other lake residents with me. Most folks live out here for the peace and tranquility, not block parties. He was quite old, though. I would be shocked if he were still alive.”
“He’s not,” Collier replied. “Died at eighty-five from lung cancer. Survived by two sons, Edward and Harold, and one grandson, Robert, by his eldest son, Edward. Edward inherited the property ten years ago and the title is still in his name. He died three years ago in a car accident. We’re having a hard time tracing who uses the property now.”
“I’m sorry, I have no idea. I would assume the other brother, right? I’ve only been back a couple of months and I work a lot, and, otherwise…” Her gaze flicked to Corey. “I’ve been busy.”
“Hmm.” Collier jotted notes.
Steph asked, “Dr. Reynolds, um, Thayer, have you noticed any unusual road traffic in the area recently?”
“Unusual? I’m not even sure what usual traffic looks like. I’m here and gone at odd hours and sometimes…” she glanced at Corey again, “...not home for days. There is traffic. Old South meets up with the highway in about twenty more miles. There are tractor-trailers. There are boaters, of course, and a launch down the road from here. It’s a pretty drive along the lake so I would expect to see leaf peepers in the fall.”
“The house across the lake. Do they have a boat?” Steph asked.
“Sure. Everyone on the lake does, I think.” Thayer sat back against the sofa. “Quite a nice black fishing boat with glitter finish.”
Both Collier’s and Steph’s eyes narrowed at Thayer. “You’re that familiar with it?” Collier asked.
Corey felt Thayer tense and moved imperceptibly closer to her.
“I see it, yes,” Thayer replied, glancing between them. “I enjoy watching the lake traffic when I can.”
“Who owns it?”
“I have no idea. I’ve only ever seen men on it, though, if it comes close enough.”
“How often do you see it?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged, helplessly. “A couple of times a month maybe.”
“Doing what?”
“Boating.”
Corey could feel Thayer’s tension, and her own was ratcheting up a notch. Her anger was simmering at the way Collier was firing questions at her like he was attempting to catch a suspect in a lie. Thayer could take care of herself, though, so Corey reined herself in and remained quiet.
Collier went on. “What about Lillian Thayer?”
“What about her?” Thayer stiffened, visibly, at the mention of her grandmother whose house they were living in while Lillian had moved to a very nice assisted living residence following a stroke a few years ago. Corey clenched her jaw in response to their abruptness.
“Would she know the owners?”
“You would have to ask her.”
Collier checked his notes. “You’re her power of attorney and medical proxy.”
“I am, for when the time comes that she cannot make competent and informed decisions on her own behalf. But I assure you, now is not that time.”
“We’ll speak with her, then.”
“I would encourage you to be honest
about what it is you want to know upfront as she may not be nearly as patient and forgiving as I am,” she said coolly.
Corey nearly stood up and cheered when Collier’s face reddened in embarrassment and Steph looked equally chagrined.
He closed his book and tucked it into his pocket. “Look, Doc, we didn’t come here to bust your, um, chops.”
Corey couldn’t hold back any longer and drilled him with a glare. “Then why don’t you talk to us like human beings and tell us what you want to know?”
He glowered at her. “Stay out if it, Curtis.”
“Stay out of it?” Corey stood before she knew what she was doing. “I’m already in it. Elbow deep in a rotting corpse. I didn’t see you under that house.”
He got to his feet and jabbed a finger in her direction. “Do I tell you how to do your job?”
“All the goddamn time.” She took a step toward him and felt Thayer’s hand on her arm.
“Corey, it’s okay.” She pulled her back a step.
Steph was on her feet, looking anxiously between Collier and Corey as she smoothly stepped between them while they glared at each other.
“Boy,” Thayer commented lightly into the charged silence, “that escalated quickly.”
Corey blinked, her anger diffusing. She turned to Thayer. “That was really funny, babe.”
“Like that?” Thayer flashed her dazzling smile, her eyes shining.
Like a fog lifting, the tension dissipated and the room seemed brighter.
Collier grumbled, “I’m going to get more coffee.”
“Thayer, Corey, please sit,” Steph said. “Let’s start over and we’ll tell you what we’re thinking.”
Chapter Ten
As if carrying the proverbial olive branch, Collier returned with the box of coffee and topped up everyone’s mug before he took his place back on the sofa next to Steph who watched him expectantly.
“Go ahead,” he offered and sipped his coffee. “I’m obviously way out of my league here.”
Corey snorted a laugh and rolled her eyes at his wounded male ego. Now that it seemed they were back on friendly territory, she moved over next to Thayer and rested a hand casually on her leg. Thayer placed her hand over Corey’s and gave her fingers a squeeze.
“So, from the beginning.” Steph took a breath. “Three years ago the department purchased a program called Critical Stats. It’s a pretty simple algorithm that runs in the background nonstop and reviews crime stats for the city. The parameters are set at whatever level is decided is normal or acceptable. If arrest rates, crimes reported, civilian complaints, and a whole host of other metrics deviate from what’s expected from past years, either significantly or for a sustained period of time, an alert goes out to a couple analysts. If it’s a real trend and the brass decide it’s worth looking at, we drill down to see what’s going on.”
“Okay.” Corey nodded. “So you’ve learned something?”
“Yes,” Steph replied. “We received an alert that drug-related crime is up nine percent and rising over the last six months.”
“That’s certainly significant,” Thayer mused.
“So far it’s mostly been nonviolent crime—vandalism, possession, small quantity distribution, theft, break-ins, and the like.”
“So far, meaning you expect the nature of the crimes to evolve?” Thayer asked.
“Inevitably and not in the good mature and progress way.” Steph smiled grimly.
“What kind of drugs are we talking about?” Corey asked.
“Meth.”
Thayer’s brows rose. “Methamphetamine? That seems unusual.”
“You mean someone’s gone all Breaking Bad in JC?” Corey asked incredulously.
“We don’t think it’s being cooked here,” Steph explained. “You must see your share of drug users come through the hospital.”
“Sure,” Thayer agreed, “but I would argue I see more opioid abusers these days—Oxy and fentanyl. Heroine, of course.”
“Any change recently?” Steph sat forward. “For either of you?”
Thayer and Corey exchanged a glance. “Not that I’ve noticed,” Thayer replied. “But, again, I haven’t been here long. The hospital has a bio stats department that runs similar programs looking for trends. You might check with them.”
“We’ll do that,” Steph agreed. “Corey?”
Corey shrugged. “I see them but I can’t say I’ve noticed an increase in ODs. I was also out of work for nearly a month.”
“It just may be too soon to see the more severe side effects of a drug epidemic here,” Steph explained. “Which is why we need to get a handle on it before we do.”
“Handle on what?” Corey asked.
Steph’s gaze flicked to Collier and he inclined his head slightly. “We think someone new is bringing the drugs in from the city and starting up a distribution network here and moving them upstate and south into Pennsylvania.”
“A drug ring?” Thayer asked. “Here?”
“Yes,” Steph agreed.
“And you think this has something to do with the body we found?” Corey asked.
“There was evidence at the scene to suggest someone who used that house was a frequent drug user.” Steph seemed to hesitate. “And, we do have a working theory.”
“Which is?” Corey prodded.
Collier sat forward to join the conversation, his confidence apparently recovered. “In many of our recent arrests the perps have some connection to the lake and fishing.”
“Fishing,” Thayer repeated.
Corey’s gaze darted between Steph and Collier, their expressions matching in seriousness. “Is that like the bank robbers are surfers? The drug dealers are anglers?”
Collier stared at her. “I have no idea what that means but points for using ‘anglers’ in a sentence.”
“Saw it on a bumper sticker,” she quipped.
“What connection?” Thayer asked.
“We can’t really go into that with you.” Steph smiled apologetically.
“Should we be concerned?” Thayer asked. “I mean about staying here.”
Steph shook her head. “I think it’s way too soon to get that excited about it. Like I said it’s only a theory, but we are pursuing it. First we need to identify the body and get a timeline and possible cause of death before we can draw any conclusions.” She paused to consider a moment. “But if you don’t feel safe here, by all means, stay in town.” Her eyes moved to Corey. “I’m sure you can find a place.”
“On the other hand,” Collier added, “if you wanted to take a turn spending some time out here and enjoy watching boat traffic, you’re welcome to keep us apprised of anything interesting going on. That would help too.”
“Doing your grunt work?” Corey asked.
He shrugged. “Don’t have enough yet to warrant any overtime for surveillance. I’ll take what I can get.”
Steph stood. “We really appreciate your time, Thayer, and I apologize for before. We shouldn’t have been so badgering. If you would like to get in touch with your grandmother and let her know we’ll be contacting her, that might help smooth the way for us.”
“I will, thank you.” Thayer smiled and offered her hand. “It was nice to meet you, Officer Austin.”
“Steph, please.” She shook her hand. “And if there’s anything else you can think of, please call either myself or Sergeant Collier.”
“Of course.” Thayer nodded.
Collier cleared his throat and eyed Corey as he rose from the sofa. “Are we cool, Curtis?”
“Well, I am.” Corey grinned crookedly. “You’re a bit uptight.”
“You’re hilarious.” He turned to Thayer. “Before we go, Doc, you mind if we take a look from your deck?”
“Please.” Thayer gestured to the door. “There are binoculars on the table by the slider.”
“Thanks.” Collier and Steph moved off.
Corey turned to Thayer. “Well, that was fun.”
Thayer slippe
d her hands around Corey’s waist and rested her head against her chest. “Not my favorite way to start the day. I really thought you were going to hit him.”
She wrapped her arms around Thayer’s shoulders. “I really wanted to. Man, that guy can piss me off.”
Thayer breathed a laugh. “That’s because you two are cut from the same cloth.”
“That’s crap.”
Thayer looked at her. “In no particular order I would describe Jim Collier as stubborn, honorable, passionate, sensitive, and fiercely protective of those he cares about. Sound like anyone you know?”
Corey arched a brow. “What about sexy, sensual, and alluring?”
Thayer smiled and kissed her softly. “I’m sure he’s those things to someone but not to me.”
Corey deepened their kiss and threaded her hands through her hair. She came up for air and asked, “Know anyone who is?”
“Mmm.” Thayer purred, pressing herself into another kiss for a moment before pulling away. “Enough. I need to finish getting ready for work and call Nana. Are you waiting and riding in with me?”
Corey let her go. “I think I’ll grab a ride in with the Five-O. I need to get over to campus. Can I come by later and see if you have time for a quick bite?”
“Yes, please,” Thayer replied. “I can’t make any promises though.”
Chapter Eleven
Corey drove toward the Emergency Department entrance, Steph riding shotgun with the tray of pastries and coffee on her lap. She was going to drop them off in the ED before they headed to Audrey’s lab. “You notice Collier barely slowed down at my truck to let us out?”
“How could I not? I almost had to tuck and roll,” Steph replied. “I think he’s still smarting from earlier.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I hope I haven’t caused problems between you.”
“We went about that conversation all wrong,” Steph admitted. “You and Thayer were right to call us out, although I could have done without the impending violence.”
“Yeah, I know I can be a bit of a hothead, and I don’t know what it is, but I lose my cool with him faster than just about anyone.”
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