Page 93 of The Darkest Chase

“No.” I stop, leaning one arm against the desk. “We found her boyfriend dead at the bottom of a cliff. Looks like he fell. She’s in shock, but if you’ve got the time to go check on her, I’m sure she’d appreciate it. Probably shouldn’t be alone right now. Bring her a meal, something light. Open a tab in my name.”

Janelle goes pale, fretting her hands together and looking up toward the room, then back to me.

“Oh dear—oh my God, that poor girl! He was such a nice boy, too. So polite. Lord, that’s terrible! Don’t tell me it’s happening here again?”

I wish I didn’t have to.

“It is,” I agree. “I’ve asked her to stay in town for a few days while I investigate. She’s calling her sister to fly in and stay with her tonight.”

“Of course. I’ll keep an eye on her until then, don’t you worry. And forget about the tab, it’s the slow season. I don’t need to be down here all evening. I’ll go talk to her immediately.”

I nod with a brief salute, touching my fingers to my brow. “Much appreciated, Mrs. Bowden. I’ll be heading back in to work now.”

She switches her gaze to me with a weak smile. “Of course. It just never ends around here. Take care, Officer Ainsley.”

I only nod and turn to walk away—but then her voice drifts after me.

“Oh, and could you stop keeping my husband so late?” she calls, her voice brittle, a weak attempt at forced humor. “Honestly, you’re all such workaholics. He hasn’t been home before midnight in ages.”

I stop, turning back to her.

She’s just looking at me.

Her eyes are almost desperate.

Like she’s begging me for answers.

I should probably lie to her. Say something comforting. Make a goofy joke. Mind my own business.

Not open a huge fucking can of worms.

Too bad I’ve never been one for lying.

And I’ll admit, I want to know if she’s really as innocent and sweet as she seems. Wouldn’t be the first time appearances were wrong here in Redhaven.

“Mrs. Bowden, you must be mistaken?” I ask slowly. “Chief Bowden’s called out sick for the past two weeks. We haven’t seen hide nor hair of him at the office.”

“O-oh.” It’s less shocked and more resigned. Even so, she shakes her head with swift denial. “Wow. Okay. That… that doesn’t make sense, though. Where does he go every day?”

I stare at her pointedly.

“You tell me, ma’am. Surely, you must have some idea?”

Janelle Bowden’s a smart woman. She’ll put two and two together.

For now, she’s apparently committed to sticking her head in the sand, because she shakes her head fiercely, pressing her lips together.

“I don’t. But there must be a logical explanation, I’m sure.”

“Sure. You’ll just have to ask yourself if you’re okay with what that explanation means.”

She doesn’t say anything, only stares with a stricken look.

I’ve done enough damage for today.

I turn and walk out into the bright-red glow of the evening sun.

I’m fucking crushed as I make my way back to the station on foot.

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