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County Sheriff holding cell, Joaquin, Provo...
Since Carter hadn’t denied the capture of a perpetrator, Daphne was relatively confident that their intel was spot on. To ensure she didn’t miss out on the interrogation, she headed directly for the Provo holding cells. She wanted to be there before he arrived.
“Yep, you’re not going to sideline me, Sheriff Scott. I’m locked and loaded, especially after that kiss. Oh, that kiss!”
Clasping one hand over her heart, she replayed the experience in her mind. Never had she felt as raw and devastated—the passion and lust he awakened when he took control of the kiss was still humming through her body. The hardness of his body...
“Lord, it felt so good.”
It was little wonder her ovaries were still doing a fiery tango inside her!
“Freaking idiot!” she snapped crankily as a loud honk next to her shook her from her daydream and caused her to bump her head against the door. Rubbing the throbbing spot, she glowered at the driver of the truck. He pointed at her with a circle motion, indicating she should open her window. Looking around, she relaxed when she noticed numerous people loitering around in the area.
“Yes? May I help you?” she said politely, lowering the window in a narrow slit.
“I’m unlikely to attack you in broad daylight, missy,” the young man said with a broad smile. When she noticed him wearing a deputy badge on his uniform, she rolled down the window all the way.
“One can never be too cautious,” she defended herself.
“Very true, and you should keep doing it.” He gestured at the sign in front of her car. “I just wanted to warn you that you’re parked in the sheriff’s spot. It’s a fineable offense here in Provo.”
Daphne’s eyes jumped ahead. “Flipping hot tamale,” she mumbled as she started the car. So much for staying covert until she could surprise Carter and walk into the building directly behind him.
“Thanks for the warning, Deputy. I owe you!” With a wave and a smile at the young man, she reversed quickly and parked next to a large GMC truck. She had to crane her neck to keep an eye on the sheriff’s parking bay, but that was preferable rather than being caught in the act of spying on him. It wasn’t something she would ever admit to him, but he had the uncanny ability to make her feel like a fumbling, incompetent twit at times.
“Where the devil are you, Sheriff Scott?” Had she realized he would take his time getting here, she could’ve gone to the B & B to change first. Instead, here she was, uncomfortable and smelling like a coffee pot of all things.
“So much for the pricey perfume I used this morning,” she mumbled, sniffing at her wrist. The fresh, flowery bouquet soothed her irritation, but not for long. As soon as she lowered her arm, all that wafted into her nostrils was the strong smell of darkly roasted coffee beans. “Ugh! Who would’ve thought I’d ever cringe at the decadent aroma of my favorite beverage?”
With an impatient mutter, she quickly made a call to Sydney.
“I’m still waiting on that intel about Bob McCarthy,” she said in response to his chirpy greeting.
“Cranky this morning, aren’t we?”
“Sorry, but I desperately need some ammunition to get the grumpy sheriff to agree that I assist with the investigation. Is there anything worthwhile yet?”
“Oh, very much so. I just cracked open encrypted communication on the deep web. The exalted attorney McCarthy is the one who got Baker Cowell exonerated before he was even charged every time.”
“Why would he do that? Surely, he should realize such information could sink his career? Supporting and aiding someone listed on the sex offender list would stand out like a bear with a sore tooth.”
“True, except he has never defended or interfered through the courts. His involvement has always been behind the scenes. Unfortunately, Attorney McCarthy forgot that nothing on the dark web ever disappears completely. At least not for someone as efficient as me.”
“Do you have something concrete to send me? Sheriff Scott isn’t the kind of man who’s going to act on hearsay.”
“Sending it to you as we speak. So, tell me—”
“Oh! He’s here. He just arrived! I have to go. Talk again soon.” Daphne ended the call as she slumped down in the seat. She felt like a private investigator on a sleazy stakeout, but it wouldn’t do for the sheriff to notice her before she got inside. The security was so tight, she knew there was no way she’d gain entrance without his assistance.
Of course, Daphne forgot how the bright yellow VW Bug stood out in the parking area amid black SUVs, trucks, and police vehicles. However, if Carter noticed it, he didn’t show it as he got out of his SUV and strode purposefully toward the gated entrance.
With her back hunched over, she got out and ran after him. Since she didn’t want to alert him to her presence, she stayed on her toes, and with her arms held out for balance, she must be looking like a ballerina doing comedy photo shoots in the middle of the street.
She caught up with him just as he opened the glass-paneled door. Instead of walking through, he came to an abrupt halt, which forced her to freeze mid-stride.
Oh, Lord! I must look like a stalking snow man caught in the act.
“You do know glass has a reflection, Miss Lovebug?”
