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And seeing her upset about Nial Poolmoore? I’m still pissed about that. I reach for my phone and text my friend Axel. He’s always a good resource. He replies quickly, inviting me down to his new shop. I head over to Paige’s desk, where she has a bowl of Froot Loops for Pancake and a bowl of dog bones for Theo set out like candy dishes. She’s listening to Tusk from Fleetwood Mac and looks intensely lost in thought. Theo and Pancake are playing in front of her desk. These animals are living their best lives together, that’s for sure. I’m still trying to wrap my head around our new normal here at the office.
“I’ll be back in a bit. You need anything?”
“No, I’m fine, thanks,” she replies absently. She’s oddly calm and quiet today—not the usual vibrant ray of freaking sunshine who gives me crap. It’s bothering me. I tilt my head and watch her for a minute. She doesn’t even look at me, just types.
“Okay, then,” I say, and I leave.
I head down the street to 603 Tattoos, Axel’s new tattoo shop. Axel and I met when I first came to Freedom Valley.
The front door of his shop is propped open, and loud rock music drifts into the street. I step into what’s still essentially a construction zone. Axel, shirtless with sweat pouring off him, is pulling down old paneling and expanding the room into one open space.
“Hey, man, need some help?”
Axel stops and stares at me. “You want to help me in those clothes?”
“Probably not, but I can come back later. After work.”
He takes off his gloves and throws them down. He opens the cooler sitting off to the side and pulls out two water bottles and tosses one to me.
“Thanks,” I say, taking a swig.
“What’s up?”
“I need your help finding Poolmoore. He scammed my employee.”
“The hot redhead?” Axel smirks.
I tilt my head. “Yeah, smartass.”
Axel looks at me like he’s considering whether to tell me something. Then he says, “Nial was engaged to my sister, Opi. You remember her? Ophelia?”
“We’ve never officially met, but I remember you telling me about her.” I sigh deeply. “I didn’t realize he was with her.”
“Wasbeing the key word here. He ran out on her. You’re not the only one looking for him. I’ve got the guys at the club on it, too. Trust me, if we find him, I’ll let you know.”
“I appreciate that. How’s your sister doing?” I ask, wondering why she was with that creep in the first place.
Rage flickers slightly in his eyes. “Not good, man.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
He looks at me thoughtfully. “Maybe. I’ll talk with her and get back to you.”
“Of course. How are things at the club?”
Axel belongs to the local motorcycle club called the Eastern Bones, and for as long as I’ve known him, he hasn’t spoken about club business with me since I’m not a member. The club is a fringe sort of fraternity on the outskirts of town, and they take care of a lot of trash for the town and look out for things. They do some morally questionable things at times, it seems, but for the most part, they add value and don’t take away from anyone. I respect them, and they know I would help them in a heartbeat if they needed anything.
“That’s good. When are you supposed to open here?” I ask, looking around. It looks like it’s all coming together.
“If the construction and permits all go according to schedule, maybe in another week or so.” He wipes his hands.
“Excellent. I’ll be around if you need help with any legal stuff.”
Axel nods.
“All right, anything you can find on Poolmoore, let me know.”
Axel’s eyes darken. “I’ll handle it.”
