Page 26 of Beneath Still Waters

She held in the gentle reassurance she’d normally give. This was his home, a place he’d been absolutely himself. He wanted honesty. “I’m not afraid of a few carbs. My bigger worry is if you’ve got decent water to go with it.”

“The tap is garbage, but I’ve got bottled in the little pantry. It’s in the corner. Warm. But there’s ice in the freezer.” He stood. “Can I make one for you, or would you prefer to do it yourself?”

She stood. “I can. Thanks though.”

In the kitchen, he got out a few varieties of meat, some sourdough from the grocery store, cheese, and mayo, then laid them out on the counter next to a plate. “I have red onion there if you want it, but I only eat that on salads, so they always go bad before I finish them.”

More evidence of someone else having lived here before. He probably started buying them for her salads, got used to it, and now likes them but can’t finish them. “At least it’s not an expensive thing.”

He swiped a thick layer of mayo over one slice of bread. “Nope. I should probably just quit buying them, but it’s a habit.”

“I have a few of those of my own.” She squeezed mayonnaise over one slice of bread. Did she have scars left over, visible if someone would actually look? Probably. Maybe that was why Connor had been so protective when she first arrived. He read people like books. She hadn’t been able to tell him the reasonshe’d taken a bullet. He’d assumed she was in over her head. Not incompetent, but too green to be doing what she had been.

That wasn’t the case.

“You okay? You froze. Do I stink or something?” Duke said, bending slightly and sniffing. “I did try a new body wash today.” He raised his brows.

She set down the butter knife and anchored herself to the counter. “I’m fine. Today just made me really glad for closed doors in my life. That’s all.”

“Just remember they can be a blessing while still being hard.” He took his plate and headed for the two-seat dining table in the corner.

TWENTY-TWO

Duke pressed the key he’d gotten from Bailey’s landlord boss into the knob and turned. It took three tries and a wiggle, but the lock finally released. Inside, the room smelled stale and musty, even after only a week without occupancy.

Duke handed her gloves and booties to put on to preserve evidence in case they found anything the earlier team had not. Ferd headed for the kitchen first. That’s where the men she knew spent a lot of time, when they weren’t working or in front of the television. On the fridge, five little yellow notes hung with magnets.

Buy flowers. Date Friday. Ahab’s 6PM.

Leave check for Kelly when she comes Thursday

Dock the boat. Windy next few days. Coordinate with H and K

Mom’s grave needs attention

Bank

Every reminder belonged to a man who would never get the chance to finish his to-do list. “Coordinate with H and K. Do youthink he meant Kevin and Heath?” She heard the squeak of a drawer opening down the hall, then silence.