Page 28 of Midnight Secrets

“Yeah, well, seeing the worst humanity can do to another person will have that effect. I’m not the innocent kid you left when you joined the Coast Guard. I’ve grown up and learned that casual relationships often have disastrous consequences.”

Ellis let out a snort, some of the lightheartedness returning to his expression. “More than ever now I want to find you a woman.”

“I’m good.”

A set of deep blue eyes flashed through my mind.

Firmly, I pushed thoughts of Claire away. I meant what I said. She was a witness.

Even if she wasn’t, I didn’t have time to date. Not while I was still trying to prove myself in my new department.

Ellis hummed. “Sure you are.”

I aimed a glare at him, silently telling him to drop it.

He held up his hands. “Fine. I’ll let you become a miserly old man. Where are we going?”

A grimace crossed my face at the thought of my destination. “To see a man about a plane.” Getting to Warren Hammond’s cabin had become priority number one. I needed to talk to Chief Riggs.

“You’re going to find that cabin, aren’t you?”

I nodded.

“Fine, but I’m coming with you.”

Once more, I stopped walking to face him. “You can’t.”

A skeptical look pulled his eyebrows together. “Why the hell not?”

“It’s police business.”

“It’s also Alaska, Oz. Your department isn’t going to send anyone with you. They don’t have the manpower. Hoonahmightbe able to spare an officer to accompany you, but I doubt it. You can’t go walking into the wilderness after a potential killer by yourself. Especially since you don’t know the area. That in itself is dangerous. This isn’t the Appalachians. The bears here don’t run up trees and hide, and moose will trample you just because you had the gall to breathe near them. And let’s not forget about the weather. It can turn on a dime. You need someone to watch your back.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And you’re the one to do that?”

“Of course I am. I’m your brother.”

“Which is why I hesitate to bring you. I don’t want you to get hurt. Hammond could be armed.”

Ellis turned a dark look on me. “That’s supposed to make me back down? You’re only strengthening my case.”

We reached my truck, and I pushed the button to unlock it. “What about work?” I rounded the hood and opened the driver’s door, getting in.

He hopped into the passenger seat. “I can take a couple days. It’s not like I have much on my plate right now, anyway. All my duties are winding down since I only have a couple of months left.”

I blew out a breath as I started the engine. It would be nice to have someone who understood the Alaskan wilderness. “I’ll float it past the chief. But I can’t promise anything.”

Backing out of my parking space and onto the main road, I smirked and glanced at him from the corner of my eye as athought occurred. “You know, if you go with me, that means you’ll have to put off your meeting with Claire.”

Ellis barked a laugh. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder, Oz.”

With a chuckle, I shook my head. My smile turned teasing. “I don’t know about that. I’m kinda wishing we were still thousands of miles apart.”

His fist connected with my bicep.

“Ow.” I rubbed the spot, exaggerating a pout.

“Asshole.” Ellis laughed.

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