Page 14 of Midnight Secrets

I followed my nose to the small break room. Gabe Turner stood near the coffeemaker, a paper bowl in one hand and a plastic spoon in the other.

“What is that?” I moved closer, eyes locked on the crock pot on the counter. “It smells divine.”

“Apple cobbler.”

“Yum.” Knowing I wouldn’t get any later if I didn’t take some now, I reached for the stack of bowls beside the slow cooker.

“Not yum. Yummy. Divine. Earth-shakingly good.” Gabe shoveled another bite into his mouth.

A smile tilted one side of my mouth as I picked up the spoon and lifted the lid off the pot. A wave of cinnamon-appley goodness smacked me in the face.

I scooped up a healthy spoonful and plopped it into my bowl. Picking up a plastic utensil, I took a bite.

Flavors burst over my tongue. “Holy cow.”

“Right? Divine.” Gabe scraped the bottom of his bowl, getting every last morsel.

I didn’t blame him. I planned to do the same.

“You need any help on the Hammond case?” Stepping over to the trash can, Gabe dropped his bowl in.

“Not yet. But I probably will once I get their financial and phone records.” I scooped up as many apples as the plastic spoon would hold. It was a good thing I ate a hearty breakfast before I came in. Otherwise, I’d be eating a second helping of this.

“When you get to that point, give me a call. I’m happy to help.”

My head bobbed as I finished the last of my treat. Turner was a good cop with a level head and an eye for detail. I would be glad to have his assistance. “Sounds good. Hey, do you know who I contact to arrange travel?”

“Riggs is the one who approves it, but his admin, Nina, will help you book it.” He grinned backing toward the door. “I hope you like small planes.”

I didn’t, but I would survive.

Turner left, and I finished my cobbler, then headed for my desk. After checking with the morgue that Marie Hammond’s body was scheduled to fly out to Anchorage for autopsy, and the state medical examiner’s office to find out when she would be on their schedule, I made my way to Riggs’s office to see Nina.

She looked up from her computer and gave me a sunny smile when I walked in. “Well, good morning. Do you need to talk with Danny?”

“Actually, I came to see you.” I returned her smile.

“Oh?” Her smile turned sassy. “Go on.”

Chuckling, I motioned to the chair in front of her desk, silently asking if I could sit.

She nodded.

I perched on the gray cushion. “I need to go to Anchorage for Marie Hammond’s autopsy. I’m told you’re the person to help me with that.”

“I am. Did you clear it with the chief?”

“Yes. Last night.” I hadn’t even asked. He told me to make sure I booked the flight and overnight accommodations.

“Alrighty, then.” She turned back to her computer. “When do you need to be there?”

“Thursday. She’s on the schedule for that afternoon.”

“Perfect. I can get you on an early flight that morning and then an early one home the next day. Does that work?” She glanced up from the screen.

“Yes.”

“Okay. I’ll get it taken care of and send you the itinerary.”

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