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CHAPTER9
Cassie was upand out of Drake’s room before five the next morning. He would have liked to snuggle a little longer and maybe make love again, but she’d been insistent she had to get to the sheriff’s office early enough to change into her uniform and be ready for shift change at seven o’clock.
Drake suspected she hadn’t wanted to run into the other guys and chose to leave before they started moving about. She’d promised to see him again that night.
Drake got up earlier than he had to but moved at a more leisurely pace since he had plenty of time to dress, eat breakfast and get to the job site by eight.
Where Cassie had managed to avoid his teammates, Drake had to face them and Ms. Dottie over breakfast. He considered skipping and would have, had he not run into Murdock leaving his room at the same time as Drake.
Murdock grinned. “Morning, lover boy.”
“Shut up, Murdock,” Drake grumbled.
“You know these walls are pretty thin. We could hear her screams all night long.”
“Liar,” Drake said. “She isn’t a screamer.”
“Ha!” Murdock’s grin broadened. “So she did stay the night, and you did do the nasty.”
Drake glared at the man. “Shut the fuck up before I put a pre-coffee fist in your face.”
Murdock shielded his face. “Not the face, dude. I hope to make beautiful children someday, and I’ll need this face to attract a beautiful baby mama.” He dropped his hands and headed for the stairs. “Are you working at the lodge today or following up on the investigation with the deputy?”
“Going to the lodge, as far as I know.”
“Molly and Parker are anxious to resolve the issue of the Jane Doe murder. They fear the murder will discourage clients from staying at the Lucky Lady Lodge.”
“Are you kidding? News of the murder will bring every nut case amateur detective who’ll want in on the action.”
“They’re afraid others won’t come because the lodge could be haunted by the murder victim.”
Drake chuckled. “Which will bring every ghost hunter across the country to Eagle Rock and the Lucky Lady Lodge to see the ghost of the very unlucky lady.”
Murdock laughed as he followed Drake down the stairs. “I thought it was Grimm’s job to be morbidly funny. When did you gain the art of sarcasm?”
“After I left the Navy and went to work as a mercenary in Afghanistan. You have to keep on your toes when you work with killers.”
“Did I hear you say, killer?” Grimm asked from where he stood near the coffeemaker. “Have you gotten any more information on the body, her killer or the guy who off’d Eagle Rock’s number one mechanic?”
“None of the above.” Drake snagged a mug and filled it with hot, life-giving coffee.
Ms. Dottie emerged from the kitchen carrying a loaded tray filled with eggs, bacon, sausage, toast and a large bowl of oatmeal.
Grimm and Murdock hurried over to relieve the woman of her burden.
After setting the platters and bowls of food in the middle of the table, Ms. Dottie straightened. “I skipped the Danishes and opted for scrambled eggs for this morning’s breakfast. Eggs and oatmeal are supposed to increase stamina and libido.”
The gulp of coffee Drake had just taken spewed through his nose, setting off a coughing fit that lasted until his eyes watered and his lungs hurt.
Murdock pounded Drake on the back. “That’s right. Ms. D. knows all the foods you should eat before and after sex. It was quite the discussion in the kitchen last night over whiskey.”
Grimm nodded. “She’s practically an expert, having studied all the scientific journals about how to improve your sex life.”
Ms. Dottie waved toward the table. “Eat before it gets cold. And just because I’m old doesn’t mean I’ve given up on sex. I might have the body of a seventy-seven-year-old, but there’s a forty-year-old vixen inside who thinks she’s still in the prime of her life.” She pulled out a chair and pointed at Drake. “Sit. You need to fuel your body. Sex can be exhausting.”
Drake dropped into the seat. “Thank you, Ms. Dottie.”
“You’re welcome, my dear.” She returned to the kitchen, leaving Grimm and Murdock snickering.
