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Cora didn’t look amused, or convinced, but she let it slide. “I guess we’ll have to see what happens in a month if I get my cottage. Who knows? Maybe you’ll miss me desperately when I’m gone.”
“I’m certain I will.” Hell, he missed her already. A hundred thousand years could pass, and he’d still feel this deep, yearning ache for her. It had taken up a permanent residence in his heart, right alongside the sweet sound of her laughter.
28
The atmosphere at the Providence Falls police station felt much lighter than it had for the past few weeks, and Liam was glad of it. Mavis was chirpier than usual, and she’d even added a second candy bowl to the reception desk. Finding the Booze Dogs’ stolen money and capturing Magnus seemed to be just the pick-me-up everyone needed. While they still had the unsolved murders of John Brady and Lindsey Albright hanging over them, it was encouraging to know they’d made some forward progress.
Rob Hopper waved at Liam and Cora when they walked into the pen. He was holding the phone away from his ear.Mrs. Wilson, he mouthed, rolling his eyes and lowering his head to his desk.
“Poppy seed muffin?” Otto gestured to a pink-and-white-striped box in front of him, his doughy face cheerful as always. “Freshly baked from Sugar Pie’s.”
Still unsettled from his conversation with Cora, Liam couldn’t bring himself to accept. “Any news from forensics?”
“Inconclusive,” Happy said sourly. He checked his watch and gathered a gym bag under his desk. “There’s speculation someone placed it under Blackwell’s bed to frame him.”
Cora let out a derisive huff. “Please tell me that’s not the angle he’s taking.”
“It’s looking that way,” Happy said. “He claims he had no idea where the money came from. He’s also hinted he may have information to trade for a deal.”
“Magnus offered to share the money with me,” Cora said in exasperation. “If that’s not enough information that he was involved in the theft, then I don’t know what is.”
“No, he may have information about themurders,” Otto explained, lifting a muffin and peeling back the paper lining. “But we don’t know for sure. He’s mostly keeping his mouth shut, and his attorney is being very vague.”
“If that snake thinks he can slither his way out of serving jail time, he can think again,” Cora said heatedly.
“The problem is he’s got friends in high places, and a powerful law firm on his side.” Happy grabbed his car keys off his desk. “He’s going to make this as difficult for us as he can. Anyway, I’m off to lunch.”
“At two o’clock?” Otto asked.
“Some of us prefer to prioritize work over food, Otto. Late lunches are the result of that.” Happy checked his watch again and hurried out of the pen.
“Where do you suppose he goes?” Otto chewed thoughtfully as he watched his partner leave.
Cora took a seat at her desk. “Probably Munchie’s Drive-Thru.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Otto said. “At least once or twice a week, ever since the summer started, Happy leaves at exactly two o’clock with that bag from under his desk.”
“Maybe it’s a change of clothes for the gym.” Liam grimaced at the memory of Kick Start Fitness. “Not that I’d ever be caught dead in a place like that, but I saw many people there with similar bags.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Otto said around another mouthful of muffin. “But I suppose you could be right.”
“Or maybe he has a standing date with a lady friend,” Liam offered. Though he couldn’t imagine many women being drawn to Happy. He was the grumpiest man at the station, not including Boyd.
“But then, why take a change of clothes?”
“I can think of a few reasons,” Rob said, wiggling his eyebrows. He’d just hung up the phone with Mrs. Wilson, and already he looked happier.
“No one wants to hear your reasons, Hopper,” Cora said, her attention on her computer screen. “Keep them to yourself.”
“You sure? I’ve got some pretty good ones,” Rob said with a laugh.
“Spare me. I just had lunch.”
Boyd’s office door opened, then slammed shut again. Liam looked to the windows, but Boyd had closed the blinds. The sound of a woman’s angry voice came from within.
“His wife, Alice,” Otto stage whispered. “She came in right before you two did, looking like she was on the warpath. Poor Captain Thompson. Seems like he’s got trouble from all sides. I heard him saying something about credit card bills, and then she went nuclear on him.”
Liam raised his brows. Poor Boyd, indeed. This modern-day version of Alice may look more polished now, but she was still the same woman who’d heckled her husband back in Liam’s old life. Alice had been a pretty woman who’d been very affectionate with the men. For a short time Boyd had secured her full attention. He’d promised her the world, and she’d fallen for it. They’d wed young, but Alice quickly became disenchanted with Boyd’s boastful attitude and lack of fortune. Though Boyd hadn’t often talked about his marriage, Liam knew they’d had problems. Unfortunately for Boyd, he was no luckier in this life than the last.
