Lila didn’t hesitate. “Yeah, sure. Of course. I’ll text it to your phone.”
She picked up her cell phone and performed a few keystrokes. An answering ding on Ryan’s phone confirmed the link arrived.
“Thanks, Lila. I hate that our presence here is going to cause you some gossip,” Ryan told her.
“It’s okay. Nothing wrong with a little gossip.” When he started to speak, Lila held up her hand. “Don’t worry. I won’t say a word about what’s really happening.”
“Good. I don’t want to give the perp a heads up about our investigation.”
A siren blaring outside the café had them stepping from the office.
By the time they reached the front door and stepped outside, Boone was there along with the crime scene tech.
“Wait in here where it’s warm. I’ll be right back.” Ryan waited for Charlie to respond. After a second, he stepped outside and she felt his absence.
“How about some coffee while you wait?” Lila pointed to the vacant booth near the door.
Charlie slipped into it without answering. Her brain was spinning over the things that had happened. Now, more than ever, she wanted to know the truth about what happened to Petebecause she believed his death hadn’t been caused by a heart attack.
Sure, he hadn’t been himself the last time they’d spoken, but as far as she knew, Pete didn’t have a heart problem. He’d always been in good shape. After he left the sheriff’s office, Pete jogged regularly. He skied and mountain climbed. She found it hard to believe her larger-than-life uncle had been taken down by a bad heart.
“Here you go.” Lila handed her a cup then slid into the booth opposite. “How are you holding up?”
Charlie wrapped both hands around the cup for warmth. “Like I’ve been hit by a train. Like I’m not sure I can go through this again.”
Lila patted her arm then focused on what was happening outside the café. “It’ll be okay. You’ve got Ryan and Boone. They’ll figure out who’s behind this. And you have me.”
Charlie smiled. “Thanks.” She wanted to believe her friend. “I hope you’re right.”
Lila’s attention shifted to the door. A smile broke out across her face. “Look who’s here.”
Charlie looked up and saw Eddie Hawthorne come in. The second he spotted her, tears filled his eyes.
Charlie rose and let him embrace her in a tight hug.
“I can’t believe he’s gone. My best friend. I’ll never see him again.” Eddie sobbed earnestly. Soon, the tears that Charlie had tried to contain wouldn’t stop. A dam broke loose and her body quaked with the weight of the loss.
“I miss him, too,” she said in a broken voice. “So much. I wished I’d come home sooner.”
She struggled to gather herself before stepping back while wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry I haven’t called you yet.”
Eddie waved off her apology. “Nonsense. You have a lot on your mind.” His attention went to the activity outside. “What’s going on out there?”
She turned and saw Ryan—tall and handsome as ever—speaking to the sheriff. Looking at him now reminded her of all her mistakes.
Charlie struggled to come up with an answer.
Lila interceded when she couldn’t. “Someone broke into Charlie’s vehicle.”
Alarm flashed on Eddie’s face while his attention fluttered between them. “You’re kidding?” His mouth thinned. “This town. Too many bad elements coming here if you ask me.”
Charlie was saved from the need to respond when Ryan came inside. He shook Eddie’s hand before asking her if she was ready to go.
“Yes.” She turned to Eddie. “We’ll catch up soon, okay?”
Eddie nodded. “I’d like that.”
With a parting hug for Lila, Charlie started to follow Ryan out when she remembered what Lila had said earlier about Eddie mentioning “the case.” She asked Eddie if Pete had said something to him.
