Page 28 of Sleigh My Heart

But she wasn’t his Mickey anymore. She was an officer of the law, an independent woman who didn’t need him, didn’t want him. Not now, not twenty years ago… not enough, anyway.

“I have some info.” She followed him in and dropped a file on his desk.

Nick hung his coat on the rack, then picked up the file. “Backgrounds? Just in time. I was going to sweet talk Bunny in HR for their employment records.”

Her brow shot up. “Bunny?” She did a little hip swivel.

He winced. “God, no. She’s not a stripper. She’s eighty if she’s a day. I’m not sure why she hasn’t retired yet.”

Michelle dropped to the edge of his desk. “Bummer for Bunny. You probably would have made her day.”

“Or gave her a heart attack.”

Michelle’s face flushed. No doubt, she was remembering how he used to persuade her to sneak out at night. Nick bit his cheek. Those were the days.

She cleared her throat. “Anyway, according to the file, both Garmen and Staniski were in Stillwater Correctional at the same time. Garmen got out three years ago, and Staniski six months later.”

Nick flipped through the pages. A name snagged his attention. “Staniski worked for HighTower Development?”

“Does that mean something?”

“Yes.” Nick rubbed his chin as he thought about the possibilities.

“Outside voice.”

Nick looked up. She used to say that to him all the time. “They’re one of the developers who are trying to buy the mall.”

“Do you think they would sabotage the festival?”

“Not sure.”

“But…”

“But the land the mall sits on is worth a fortune for a builder who wants to put up river view condos.”

“I did a search of white panel van registrations. Nothing popped for Garmen or Staniski, but I’ll have to double check the list for this builder.”

He nodded.

She slid off the desk and paced. “I need to check out this HighTower Development.”

He picked up his coat.

“No, I don’t think you should come on this one. Besides, I doubt I will be able to walk in without an appointment. I have a better chance if I go alone.”

Nick didn’t like it, but he agreed. No way the head of a company who wanted to buy the mall would talk if he was there. “I’ll go through the file you brought and see if I can piece anything together.”

She raised her hand to her temple and gave a mock salute. “Wish me luck.”

“Luck.”

The smile that spread across her face was worth all the things he didn’t say. She didn’t need luck. Mickey was the ballsiest girl in town back in the day. She could handle some corporate suits. Nick just wished he could be there to watch.

Chapter 7

Michelle left her vehicle in the drop-off zone in front of the HighTower building. The chrome and glass structure was one of the few buildings over four stories in Ashwood. She yanked open the glass door and a rush of heat flooded down on her. Her shoes squeaked on the polished floors as she crossed to the reception desk.

“May I help you, Officer?” The young man in a suit and tie asked. He looked to be fresh out of college.