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“Hey, luv, you’re in a Godawful hurry. You need to slow down. You nearly knocked me over.”
Sierra let out a whoosh of breath as she recognized the bearded man holding on to her. Evan’s familiar face stared at her, his beady eyes showing confusion behind his glasses.
“Sorry,” she apologized. Drawing a couple of large, calming breaths, she almost laughed out loud. She was being silly. There was no one hunting her through the aisles of Drakes. What on earth had taken hold of her?
“Are you all right, luv?” Evan was still holding her, his stout fingers clamping onto her upper arms. “What are you doing here? It’s late to get home, isn’t it?” He glared at her in much the same way her father might’ve. “I didn’t see you out with the search group today.” Now his tone had gotten a tad accusatory. “I’ve been out helping them all day, you know.”
“Oh, yes, I’ve been…busy.” She searched around lamely for an excuse.
“My dear girl, what have you been doing?” Evan must’ve seen her face for the first time and now he was staring at her bruises, turning her side-on so he could examine her more carefully, still holding her by the shoulders.
She couldn’t think quick enough, couldn’t come up with a reason for the injuries, so she said, “I crashed my car today. But it’s all good. Well, my car isn’t too good, but I’m fine.” She offered up a wan smile, taking a step back at the same time, out of his embrace. She could stand on her own two feet now her panic had subsided.
“That’s no good. Was it one of those pesky roos, jumping out in front of you? They are a menace, you know.” His neat beard bristled at the thought. His eyes suddenly became sharp and bright as he waited for her answer, more astute than they should’ve been, as if he were weighing up her next answer.
“No, it wasn’t a roo. It was…just a silly accident.” She wasn’t going to tell him the truth. “But my car is totaled.” She gave a small sigh. She loved that car. It’d been her pride and joy. Her insurance would come through eventually and she’d be able to buy a new one. But she’d have to go and see about a rental car tomorrow. KI was definitely one place you couldn’t survive without a vehicle.
Her head had started to ache again and the cold wind was finding its way inside her coat, leaving icy trails down her skin. She gave a shiver.
“How are you going to get home then? Without a car, I mean.”
“I’m staying with…a friend in town tonight. I was just about to walk back there.”
“Well, the least I can do is give you a lift. You look all done in.” The normal, jovial Evan was back, his smile firmly in place. Perhaps she’d imagined the slightly scathing tone in his voice. “My car is just over here.” He pointed to an aging, white, four-wheel-drive parked by the curb a few cars down. “I’ll save you the walk. Are you limping?” he added, as he looked down at her knee. “Let me drive you. I want to make sure you get home safely.”
Yes, her leg was sore. It seemed to have swelled a little from her walk. And her head ached. Perhaps walking down here hadn’t been such a good idea. Just then, it started to drizzle. A light rain that was cold and unwelcome.
“Ah…Okay, that would be nice. Thank you, Evan.”
His face split into a grin. “Good. Very good. Yes, that’s a good plan. I’ll take you.” He picked up two shopping bags at his feet and turned to hurry toward his car. “To your friend’s place,” he added, almost as an afterthought.
He was a strange man. Harmless, she decided, but definitely a little strange. Reed’s place was only a two-minute drive from here. It’d save her hobbling up the street. Why wouldn’t she accept a lift from him, a respected member of the community? He was practically running toward his car now, in such a hurry to open the door for her. An awkward gait, as his stout legs pounded down the pavement with the shopping bags banging by his sides. All of a sudden, he tripped, nearly falling. One of the bags went flying, spilling its contents over the pavement. Evan took a few stumbling steps forward, and managed to recover himself just in time.
“Are you alright?” she asked, quickening her pace.
“Fuck. Bloody hell,” he swore loudly, startling a young couple crossing the road nearby.
“Let me help.” Sierra crouched down and began to pick up the grocery items strewn all over the path.
“Leave it. Leave them alone,” Evan shouted, using the same rough tone he’d cursed in. “I’ll get them. Just leave them alone.” She recoiled away from the things she’d been about to pick up. What the hell? She was only trying to help him. Was he so embarrassed that he had to yell at her? His behavior was beyond baffling. One second as nice as pie, the next like a snarling junkyard dog. Perhaps accepting a lift wasn’t such a good idea, after all.
“Sierra,” a deep, male voice called from behind them.
She whirled around to see Reed striding down the sidewalk toward her. Relief flooded through her body. He looked so good in his dark-blue police uniform. Like he could save the world. Or at the very least, save her.
“Reed.” She wanted to run up and hug him, but managed to stay standing in the one spot, waiting for him to approach.
“What are you doing here?” he asked. “I thought I told you to stay put.” He frowned at her, but his tone was forgiving. “I was worried when I got home, and you weren’t there.”
Evan finished picking up the last of his groceries and turned to greet Reed. “Evening, Officer Kapua.” He nodded at Reed, but kept his distance. Sierra couldn’t read his expression properly. If she hadn’t known better, she would’ve sworn he was glowering at Reed.
Sierra could see Reed sizing up this man, probably wondering who he was. “This is Evan, he owns the newsstand in Penneshaw. He offered me a lift home.”
“Any news on the missing girl?” His eyes darted to Reed’s face.
“No, I’m sad to say we still don’t have any leads.”
“Oh, that’s not what I heard. I heard you arrested someone this afternoon.” Evan glared openly at Reed now, and Sierra’s interest was piqued. They’d arrested someone? She was itching to ask who.
Reed pursed his lips. He probably wasn’t used to the public knowing things until he was ready to tell them. It was different out here. Everyone knew everything about everyone else.
“So, it seems that Kangaroo Island’s finest haven’t been asleep on the job, like we all thought. Or was it the cops from the mainland who nabbed this guy?” Evan was outright smirking now, and Sierra felt a sliver of dislike run through her.
“Right. Thanks, Evan. But I’ve got it from here.” Reed took the shopping bag from Sierra’s hand and turned on his heel. “Let’s get you home, where it’s warm.”
“Thanks again, Evan,” Sierra said, shooting him what she hoped was a grateful smile.
But he didn’t smile back, just watched them with lowered eyebrows. “Enjoy your night with your friend, then, Sierra,” he muttered so low she almost didn’t hear him as she followed after Reed.
