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“You’re such a spoilsport. Besides, if the man invites me into his pants, sexy blonde or not, who am I to deny him?”
“One of these days, you’re gonna be—”
“Oh, stop being such a wet blanket, Syd. I was just pulling your leg. You should know by now I’m not that kinda girl, especially after what Robert did to me.
“I know, babe... just saying. Don’t let a pretty face and bulging muscles distract you. I don’t wanna be the one to come there and identify your dead body.”
“Goodness gracious, Syd, that went dark rather quickly.” Her voice quivered at the vision his words evoked in her mind. “And grim... very grim.”
“Reality is grim, Chicca, especially when there is an alleged sex ring right on your doorstep.”
“Yes, I guess that’s true.”
“Gotta go. Keep me in the loop, Chicca, and promise me, if there is any sign of you being in danger, you’ll head back home.”
“I promise. I have no intention of dying this young.”
“None of us do, but life has a way of changing direction when we least expect it.”
“I’ll be alert, Syd. Please send me the Provo sheriff’s office address. Talk soon.” Daphne ended the call to prevent a full sermon on fate and destiny that he tended to ramble on about when given half a chance.
“Well, Sheriff Scott, ready or not... your right-hand man, or rather woman, is on the way.” She chuckled as she imagined the look on his face when she waltzed into the county sheriff’s department, where she was relatively sure she’d find him. The thought made her jump to her feet and gather her notebooks and bag.
“I better hustle if I want to be there when he interrogates Baker Cowell.”
Even though she was filled with confidence in her own abilities, she wasn’t all too sure Sheriff Carter Scott was going to be happy to see her... especially when she made her intentions known. Not many officers of the law liked to work with a nosy investigative journalist, no matter how good she was.
“Oh, he definitely won’t be.” A crooked smile flashed over her face. “I might just have to woo him a little... Blondie or not, I’ll do everything I need to be at the frontline of this investigation.”
Chapter Six
The next day, Utah County Sheriff’s Department, University Ave, Provo...
Daphne stepped into the elevator, her high-heeled boots echoing through the space as they clicked her purposeful stride on the tile floor.
“Well, here goes nothing,” she muttered as the doors slid shut, fidgeting with the notebook in her hands. “No, stand firm, woman. You’ve got this,” she scoffed at herself as thoughts of the handsome Sheriff Carter Scott flitted through her mind like butterflies. She could just imagine his chiseled jaw and steely gray eyes gazing at her intently as she stated her reason for the visit.
“Focus, Daphne.” She squared her shoulders with determination. “Keep your wits about you and remain professional.” Easier said than done. The darn man was just too tempting to keep her thoughts from wandering... to all the lustful things she wanted him to do to her. For one thing, she wouldn’t mind him taking off her knickers, pushing her back onto the desk, and—
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Daphne, stop it! You’re gonna smell like a whore walking into a church after a tumble in the alley by the time you get to his office.” The telltale trickle from her nether regions warned her that it might already be too late. The elevator dinged open.
“Okay, show time.” Daphne strode purposefully down the hall, her boots announcing her arrival with each step. Knowing she needed all the help she could get, she had taken the time to dress up for the momentous occasion—her favorite pair of designer jeans hugged her curves perfectly, and the peach-colored cashmere sweater complemented the silky chestnut tresses of her hair. A bit of mascara and lip gloss completed the look. She wanted to impress the dashing sheriff but also demonstrate she was no ditzy maiden.
As the sheriff's office came into view, Daphne straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Confidence is key,” she told herself. “Manifest yourself, girl! Channel your inner lioness and approach your query with courage and conviction!” She envisioned herself as a brave knight on a noble quest for truth.
Her courage nearly faltered, however, when she entered the reception area and was met with a stern frown from the woman seated at the front desk. The receptionist’s beady eyes focused on Daphne over her spectacles in a most judgmental fashion.
“Halt, wayward traveler!” the gaze seemed to say. “You shall not pass!”
Daphne valiantly resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Clearly, this sentinel was determined to guard access to the sheriff at all costs. Well, Lady Daphne the Dauntless would just have to rely on her wit and charm to win the day. She pasted a bright smile on her face and sallied forth.
“Well met, good woman! I come in search of the valorous Sheriff Scott...”
Daphne was surprised as the older woman—Claire Vermont, as the tag on her shirt identified her—rolled her eyes. Irritation presented itself in the annoyed grunt escaping her lips at Daphne’s endeavor at humor. It seemed she was used to women attempting to invade the sheriff’s office when the dashing Spanish Fork’s Sheriff Carter Scott was visiting.
A change of tactic was needed. This wasn’t the kind of woman who would fall for charm. Although Daphne preferred not to lie, there were times when the end justified the means.
“I’m afraid Sheriff Scott is unavailable.” Claire tapped a stiff finger on the page of the diary in front of her. “Especially since you don’t have an appointment.”
