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“What would she be doing there?” Cass shrugs, and I decide to let it go for now. “I need to get groceries, and I don’t know why Bud hasn’t called me about my truck. I’ll have to find a way to get over there.”
“I told you I took care of it!” She hops up smiling. “Your insurance information was in the glove box, and I went over everything with Bud yesterday. He’s going to replace your front fender with one I found at the junkyard, and he’s giving your brake line a thorough inspection. I’ll follow up with him at the end of the week.”
I shake my head. “That should be your job. I can’t believe your knack for auto mechanics. What do I owe you for your time?”
“Stop it.” She playfully slaps my arm. “You’ve been up to your ears in official police business, keeping us safe from creepy men with missing feet. It’s the least I could do.”
“Don’t tell anybody what I told you about the suspect. We don’t want him going into hiding.”
She makes a motion of zipping her lips. “I won’t breathe a word.”
“Good luck with your readings.”
Her shoulders drop, and she follows me to the door. “It’s pretty slow. I’m probably going to have to find another gig soon. I’m not making any money here.”
“If you won’t be my mechanic, I’ll pay you to keep me stocked in Ocean Gardenia.”
She waves me away. “No, you won’t. I’ll figure something out.”
We air kiss, and I jog up the stairs to grab my bags. The little Safeway across the square has enough of the staples to keep me going until my truck is ready. Hopefully, I’ll have it back by the weekend, so I can do some real shopping.
By the time I get back, it’s almost dinner, and I have to take Edward for a walk. Quickly unpacking the staples I bought, I grab the leash and my phone and head out before the sun goes down.
Edward has always been efficient about his bathroom habits, but Cass’s words have been on my mind since we talked. I take him past the locations of the signs and let him sniff all around them, watching to see if he recognizes anything.
While he’s doing his sniffing, I study the messages painted neatly on a white board, and I try to imagine if a man with no foot or leg, we don’t know which, would be able to climb a ladder and balance well enough to nail them where they’re located.
“Maybe it is two different people,” I say to my dog.
Edward hops over and slides his head under my hand. I give him a good scratching. “Come on, Mr. Ed. Time for dinner.”
Standing alone in my kitchen, I’m reading the frozen pizza box when my phone buzzes with a text. Absently, I pick it up, expecting it to be Cass or Jinx.
My heart stutters when I read the words from an unknown number.I hope you’re not having scrambled eggs and cheese for dinner.
Hesitating, my fingers tremble slightly as I tap out a reply.Aiden? How did you get my number?
I asked Doug to pull it from HR. Please tell me you got groceries today.
Tingles prickle in my belly, and I quickly reply.I just got back from the store.
What’s for dinner?
Squinting at the frozen pizza box, I confess.Frozen pizza.
Terrible.
Don’t dinner-shame me.As if I’m proud of frozen pizza.What are you having?
It takes a few seconds, then a picture of a grill with four hamburgers appears on my phone. They’re rare and mouthwatering, and my stomach growls.That looks delicious.
Come have a burger with Owen and me.
My heart jumps, and I want to say yes so much.I can’t have dinner with you every night, Sheriff.
I expect some nights you’ll have dinner with your family or friends.
I don’t have my truck.
