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“It sounds like we all are.”
Andi shoved her hands into the pockets of her day-three jeans, wondering why this conversation felt so strange—as if they were casual friends on one hand and total strangers on the other.
She cleared her throat, trying to make any awkwardness disappear. “Any update on the missing trooper?”
Duke shook his head. “Unfortunately, no.”
Disappointment bit at her. Instead of continuing the awkward conversation, she decided to change the subject. “The good news is that it smells like Simmy is making more food. I didn’t realize I was still hungry until the aroma of bacon hit me.”
“Same here.” He nodded toward the cafeteria. “How about we go grab some coffee and then figure out a game plan for today?”
Her heart raced a couple of beats. A game plan? Did that mean Duke was serious about investigating? That last night hadn’t just been a whim? An emotional reaction to everything that had happened?
And if Duke was investigating, was it the sort of investigating that simply required sitting in front of a computer making notes? Or was he thinking about getting out of here to do some real footwork?
Andi hoped it was the latter.
But she didn’t want to show her eagerness and have Duke ask too many questions either.
* * *
Breakfast brought in a full house.
Simmy had offered to cook a warm meal for the troopers. Five officers were inside right now, sitting at one of the cafeteria tables.
The rest of them sat at another table, enjoying the same delicious bacon, eggs, and toast.
After everyone finished eating, Duke turned toward Mariella and Matthew, ready to break the bad news. “I’m afraid we’re going to be stuck here longer.”
He expected to see disappointment on their faces. Maybe even anger.
No doubt they had flights to catch and other sights to see.
Instead, curiosity danced in their eyes, and they looked as if that idea intrigued them.
“Perfect.” Mariella smiled and did a cheerleader clap. “I’m going to start scouring the comments on Craig’s social media.”
“And I guess I’ll start separating the audio files,” Matthew added with a shrug. “I’ll also do some research on Canaan and see what I can find out about the people who lived there.”
Duke raised his eyebrows. “You guys are really into this, huh? I thought for a moment that what happened last night was simply a way to pass the time.”
“Not at all.” Mariella shook her head in that animated manner he was becoming accustomed to. “I definitely want to know what happened. And I don’t have anything better to do. I’ve done all the influencer videos I can think of, and I don’t want my followers to get bored. But . . . if I could help solve a crime . . . I could salvage my career.”
Salvage her career? That was the least of Duke’s concerns right now. But he supposed they each had their own motives and priorities.
“Sounds like a plan.” He turned toward Ranger. “I was hoping to talk to Obadiah, Henrietta’s son, if you wouldn’t mind giving me his address.”
He wished his motives were completely to help Simmy. But he also wanted answers about Celeste.
He knew he wasn’t going to be able to let this drop.
Ranger grunted and held up a piece of crisp bacon. “I could. But you won’t find it.”
“What do you mean?”
“To say it’s off the beaten path would be an exaggeration.”
“Then can you take us?” Andi asked.
