Page 65 of Home Town Knight

Keira nodded. “I’ll call CSP and find out. I’m guessing you want to talk to them? Should I request that they come in to answer your questions?”

“No,” Owen said quickly. “Find out where they are, but be discreet about it. And don’t say a word about this coin to anyone. This is extremely sensitive.”

Her gaze drifted over to me, her concern obvious. If it was so sensitive, then why was he talking about it in front of me? A reporter?

I wasn’t sure how much Owen would want me to say. This was his office. His employee.

He paused, as if he was making the same calculation.

“It’s possible the Tucker murder is connected to something bigger,” he said. “Something a lot worse than we realized. That’s all I can tell you for now, Keira, but if Gen and I are right about this, it’s extremely dangerous.”

She laughed nervously. “I think this is the point in the movie script where you tell me totrust no one?”

Owen didn’t smile, and neither did I. Her laughter cut off abruptly.

“Okay, then. Wow. Any chance this is tied to thatother stuffthey’ve had going on up at Last Refuge?” She’d made that connection fast. No wonder Owen relied on her so much. And no wonder he’d been so freaked out to think, even for a moment, that she couldn’t be trusted.

“It might be. Tangentially. That’s something I need to find out.” Owen stood up. “I’m going to go have a chat with Rossiter and Sykes as soon as we hear where they are. I’m hoping they’ll be more candid if I show up unannounced. Keira, I want you and Norris to hold down the fort here. Handle anything else that comes up.”

“You’re okay sharing all this with Undersheriff Linscomb? You were limiting his access to the Tucker file before.”

I saw Owen’s indecision, but he nodded. “I already decided to bring Norris into the investigation. I’m not going back on that now. We need him, and I can’t run this office if I see threats everywhere I look. But don’t mention the gold coin. If it comes up, direct the undersheriff’s questions to me. And as usual, anything about our friends at Last Refuge… That’s outside the scope.”

“Got it, boss.”

Keira left, and Owen closed the blinds on the windows overlooking the rest of the station. He was still facing the door, shoulders tense.

I walked over to him and kneaded the tight muscles with my thumbs. “Sorry for making your investigation a lot more complicated,” I said.

He turned around and cupped his hands around my face. “You certainly did that. I’m not sorry, though. If this Stillwater group is really active in my county, I intend to trackthem down and stop them. That wouldn’t be possible without you.”

He pulled me closer, tugging the snapback I was wearing off my head. The kiss started slow. Then he licked into my mouth, heat skyrocketing between us. Owen growled as he broke the kiss and rested his forehead against mine. “What I’d really like is another hour, just you and me and my bed at home. But that’s not going to happen. Not until later at least.”

“How can I help?”

“I need to find that gold coin. Find out why Tucker had it. And I still need to piece together his movements leading up to the murder. The killer could have some connection to Stillwater.”

That should’ve been terrifying, since that same killer wanted to get tome, but instead I felt exhilarated. If I helped uncover Stillwater, it could lead to the biggest story of my career. But so much more importantly, it could stop some very bad people.

“I notice you weren’t sayingwe. I’m a part of this. You’d better not think you can take all the info I gave you and set me aside while you run with it.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Ms. Blake. But what I need fromyouis to work with River. Show him those documents your source provided on Stillwater. Knowing River, he can use his skills to dig up more.”

“And I’ll conveniently be holed up indoors staring at a computer, instead of being in the field with you?”

He smirked. “I need you to find out everything possible about Stillwater and the official they’re paying off. But I guarantee, I’d much rather have you by my side. I’ll hate not having my eyes on you. And that’s not just because you’re amazing to look at.”

“I’m fun, too.”

“A lot of fun.” He gave me a sweet peck on the lips. “What I’m really thinking of is your safety, as I’m sure you know. I have zero doubts that River can keep you secure while we’re apart. Even if he’ll flirt shamelessly while he’s at it. I’m hoping you won’t encourage him.”

“Pretty possessive, considering you’ve only known me a couple of days.”

“What can I say? I’m a territorial guy.” Owen’s arms cinched around me. “River might be hanging out with you for a few hours while I’m taking care of other things, but I’m still your Protector. And tonight, it’smybed you’ll be in.Mewho’ll be seeing to your every need.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

“I’ll hold you tome. Preferably while we’re both naked.”

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