AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Back at the station one hour later and dressed in his crisp new uniform, Kane supervised the release of Billy Watts. Rowley had found no evidence to prove the man had stolen money. The deputy had also inspected blue pickups owned by people he knew but had found none with any recent damage. Kane put him to work interviewing Sarah Woodward and moved his attention to the younger deputy, Pete Daniels. Confident Daniels could handle the paperwork, Kane turned away to evaluate the young woman Rowley was interviewing in his cubicle.
Sarah Woodward reminded him of his sister at the same age, and his protective instinct surged to the surface. At approximately eighteen, she was far too young to be conducting her grandmother’s investigation alone. Her porcelain skin and blonde hair would be like putting up a “come get me” flare to the crowd of young men arriving for the hockey game. Out for a good time, they would flock to an innocent, naive girl like bees to honey.
Kane pulled a chair into Rowley’s booth to listen in on the interview with her
. He introduced himself and sat down. “Are you traveling alone?”
She blinked cornflower-blue eyes at him as if he had just materialized in front of her.
“Ah… yes, I am.” Her lips trembled into a smile. “I intend to find my grandmother, so I won’t be alone for long.” She twisted small fingers in a blue knitted scarf. “I have a few leads.”
Kane leaned back in his chair making it creak like an old man’s bones. “What new evidence have you discovered?”
“I called my mom but she couldn’t recall any specific places Grandma had visited but she had some of her letters. You must understand my mom hasn’t been the same since my pa died. The medication affects her memory so I thought the best thing to do was to ask her to send me Grandma’s letters.” Sarah gave him a sunny smile, all dimples and white teeth. “The letters came by special delivery yesterday afternoon. I haven’t read all of them yet but the third one I opened mentioned speaking to the local real estate broker. Grandma wanted to purchase a small ranch in the area. A place we could all live far away from the city.” She lifted her chin. “I thought I’d go and speak to the real estate broker and ask if Grandma made enquiries.”
“You should leave the investigating to the police.” Kane flicked a glance at Rowley. “Give the real estate office a call and find out what the broker remembers about Mrs. Woodward.” He smiled at Sarah. “Can I get you a drink while we wait? A soda or coffee?”
“Yes thanks, a soda would be nice.” Her cheeks pinked and she unzipped a bright yellow windbreaker. “It’s quite warm in here.”
As Rowley moved away to make the call, Kane noticed Deputy Daniels in his periphery. The rookie waved Billy Watts toward the door then loitered outside Rowley’s booth. Kane turned to Daniels. “If you’re not busy, could you grab a soda for Miss Woodward and I’ll have a coffee, strong, sweet, with cream.”
“Okay, boss.” Daniels sauntered toward the kitchenette.
Kane cleared his throat to get Sarah’s attention. “You must be close to your grandmother to travel so far to find her.”
“I’m very close to her.” Sarah took a deep breath. “My mom is not well and I need to find her.”
“I may have a lead.” Rowley raised his brown eyebrows, closed his cellphone, and sat down. “I spoke to the owner of the real estate office, John Davis, and he recalls a woman making enquiries some time ago. He offered to show her properties for sale in the area but recalled her asking for a list so she could do a drive-by. Mrs. Woodward said she’d return if something caught her interest and make an appointment for a viewing but she was a no-show.”
“Did you ask him for a copy of the list of the properties he gave Mrs. Woodward?” Kane rubbed his chin. “It might be worthwhile retracing her steps and checking with the owners.”
“Yeah, I asked but he said he’d need time to go through the listings for the last three months. He’ll send a list as soon as possible, probably Monday as he is closing at noon to take a couple to look at some properties in town.”
Kane waited for Daniels to deliver the drinks then offered Sarah a smile. “The moment I receive the list of properties, I’ll go and speak to the owners. Someone must have spoken to your grandmother. If you could read the rest of the letters and let me know if you find any clues, you can reach me on this number.” He reached for his wallet, took out a card, and handed it to her. “Where are you staying?”
“The Black Rock Falls Motel.” She grimaced. “It’s pretty noisy since the hockey crowd came to town. It was party central there last night.”
“They are a rough crowd out for a good time, and if they bother you, call nine-one-one or me. The Black Rock Falls County Sheriff’s Department has an officer on call twenty-four-seven.” Kane stood and escorted her to the door.
“Thank you.” Sarah gave him a small smile and straightened, then, throwing the strap of a bright pink purse over one shoulder, headed toward an old blue sedan parked at the curb.
“If she needs someone to follow her home,” Daniels moved to his side and stared after her with a silly grin, “I’d be happy to volunteer.”
He turned and glared at the young man. “Does the term ‘serve and protect’ ring a bell with you? Keep away from her. That’s an order.”
“Aw, come on.” Daniels grinned like a baboon. “Didn’t you see the way she looked at me? Girls like her love men in uniform.”
Oh, great, now we have a predator in the making.
Nine
She stared in dismay out the kitchen window at her vehicle disappearing in the distance. “Where are you taking my pickup?”
“I sent it away to be repaired.” The insolent man in cowboy boots gave her a slow smile. “You won’t be needing it.”
The strange, cold look in his eyes sent shivers up her spine and she stepped away until her back hit the edge of the kitchen sink. “I didn’t give you permission to touch my pickup.”
“I don’t need your permission.”
