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“Yes. I know you said I should have a place to go but there isn’t anywhere. It’s pathetic but other than this apartment and my parents’ home, there is nowhere else I can stay.”
He resumes his pacing for a few minutes and then stops and turns to me. “Have you ever heard of Starlight Ridge?”
“Is that some sort of western television show?”
He laughs and shakes his head. “No. It’s a small town in Idaho. I actually grew up there and have yet to meet anyone who has heard of the place. How would you feel about spending some time in fresh air at a bed and breakfast?”
“What about my job?”
“You’ll need to take a leave. Sophia, it isn’t forever. Going off the grid for a while would do wonders for you, but also it would allow my guys time to see what they can find. The best part about Starlight Ridge is that there is next to no Wi-Fi or cell service.”
I’d like to believe such a place exists but the last time I thought there was no service and I would have peace, he found me. I sit dazed at his suggestion as he continues to tell us about the town. It sounds like a pocket community outside of a larger town, which means it isn’t completely shut off from civilization, but it is remote enough that nobody would think to look for me there. Even though Washington borders the state, I’ve never been to Idaho but I hear it is absolutely beautiful.
Chapter 17
Gage
“Morning, Bobbi.”
“Good morning, honey. Coffee?”
I nod my response and take my usual seat at the counter. It’s early still, not many people out and about in town. That’s why I’m here. A little peace to start my day without stares and whispers. After three months I mistakenly thought people would be bored with me and have moved on. Turns out, until something newsworthy happens or a new person comes to town, you stay the small-town gossip.
My hands wrap around the cup of steaming coffee and I lift it to my lips. The diner may be older than I am but the coffee is the best I’ve ever had. That’s saying something since I grew up outside of Seattle.
“Bubby called this morning.”
Coffee sprays from both my mouth and nose at her nonchalant use of a childhood name for my mentor and friend. Once I’ve wiped up the mess, I look up at Bobbi. “I don’t think Bruce would appreciate knowing you shared his deepest secret.”
“Oh please. My brother should know nothing is sacred in Starlight Ridge. Hell, just ’cause he moved to the city to chase his big policeman dreams doesn’t mean he isn’t still Bubby around here.”
I laugh and wait until she leaves to grab food from the kitchen window before taking another drink from my cup. When my former colleague, Detective Bruce Randel, suggested I come to the small town he grew up in for my sabbatical, he failed to mention his twin sister was still here. Or that he was some sort of local celebrity. The little cabin I’m staying in is nestled deep in the woods and there is absolutely no cell service let alone a landline. It was the main selling point for me. I can come into town and get a few bars, but I like the idea of not being tied to my phone.
Bobbi delivers my breakfast hash and checks back in with me a few times before clearing my plate. Standing, I pull a twenty from my wallet and set it below the coffee cup. In the beginning, she argued with me about paying but she finally relented. I told her if she wouldn’t accept it as my payment to consider it an investment into some upgrades in the diner. Specifically the stool I sit at each morning. Duct tape is a great invention but not meant to be used instead of some vinyl.
“Mind if I use the office, Bobbi?”
“Of course not. If you also want to pay some bills while you’re in there I won’t complain.”
With a laugh, I move down the short hall toward the office. My eyes scan the small space. Papers are scattered across the weathered desk and boxes are stacked on the floor beside the single guest chair. A file cabinet with a printer on the top takes up half the wall opposite the door. Instead of artwork in frames adorning the walls, Bobbi has her grandchildren’s coloring pages taped in various places. I round the desk, settle into the chair, and reach for the phone.
A photo from a family reunion is framed on the corner and I lift it just as Bruce answers.
“Hello?”
“Hey... Bubby.”
“Oh for fuck’s sake. I’m gonna kill my sister. It isn’t bad enough that she took up more than her half of the womb. She feels it’s necessary to share family secrets.”
The frustration in his voice is humorous and although he’s unappreciative of my laughter I don’t rein it in. His short rant reminds me of something I would say about Aubrey and the thought tugs at my heart. I need to check in with my sister.
“Relax, it’s not like I’m going to call my uncle and tell him to put it in the next station bulletin.”
“I swear to God, Gage, if you say anything I will beat your ass.”
“No need for threats of ass kickings over a nickname. What’s going on?”
Bruce releases a loud sigh and I imagine him running a hand through his hair. It was something I watched him do for months while he took me under his wing in an effort to teach me about patience and seeing cases from many angles. His knowledge and experience were something I yearned to absorb. I never doubted that under his tutelage I would be a better cop.
