Page 55 of Capture My Heart

What was she doing? The man was her landlord, not her lover. Yes, he flirted. It wasn’t the first time, and deep down, she hoped it wouldn’t be the last.

Going with it, she flipped her ponytail over her shoulder and brightened. “I like purple. And you never know, play your cards right and I might even model them.”

The beer bottle at his lips wobbled, and the amber liquid dribbled down his shirt.

She chuckled as the door closed. Raising the beer to her lips, she smiled.

This day did have a few bright moments after all.

Trey surveyed the mid-nineties home. After a quick tour from Megan, they returned to the living room.

“Want a drink before dinner?” Bob opened a cabinet that held a mini fridge and shelves. A dozen different liquor bottles sat on one shelf and glasses filled the other.

“I’ll take a whiskey and coke. Thanks.” Amy paced the room, checking out every photo and knickknack. She didn’t fool Trey. He knew she was avoiding sitting with him on the couch.

“A beer is fine.” Trey accepted the beer and thanked him.

“Mom, Dad. We are going to DQ with Eva. Oh, sorry.” The two tall blondes pulled up short.

Trey used the girl's distraction to snag Amy’s hand and tug. She dropped to the couch beside him. Her skirt flounced as she landed.

“Girls, this is Officer Larson and… Trey Fenley.” Bob stumbled over Trey’s name. Motioning the girls over, he introduced them. “These are my daughters. Hailey and Holly.”

Strange. Bob knew his name. Trey shook it off. “Nice to meet you.”

Megan rushed to her daughters. Hugged them both but lingered on Hailey. “Do you have your meds?”

“Yes, Mom. I’m feeling fine.”

Amy expected an eye roll, but there was none. She gave a soft smile to Hailey who hugged her mom back.

“Wow, I haven’t seen you two since you came to the police picnic. What was that, five years ago?” Amy asked.

“At least. We haven’t been to the last few.” Bob handed her a drink and returned to the mini fridge. He poured wine for his wife and pulled a beer out for himself.

Bob looked at Megan. “Olives?”

“We’re out.” Megan ran a hand down her daughter’s arm then joined her husband and accepted the drink.

He sighed and twisted off the cap. “Have fun and remember to text us if you go somewhere else.”

“We will.” They hugged their parents and left.

Amy gave a half smile. “Hailey looks good.”

“Yes, her new treatment is helping.” Megan smiled softly and looked into her drink.

Bob linked his fingers with his wife’s. “We saw a marked improvement with the last round. She starts again next month. It’s hard, but we need to let her have a normal life. As normal as possible.”

Megan sighed, as Bob squeezed her hand then slipped his free.

Bob tipped back in his chair. “So, Amy, do they have any suspects on the B and E?”

“No, the unsub must have been a pro. No prints or trace evidence to speak of.”

Amy crossed and uncrossed her legs for the twelfth time in the last five minutes.

Trey slid a hand to her knee.