Page 38 of Midnight Secrets

My nose wrinkled. “That sounds… yummy.”

A low chuckle escaped her.

“Would you like to wait here or walk with me to the rental counter?” I nodded to the row of chairs under the window in the small terminal, then to the car rental counter in the corner.

“I’ll come with you. No point in taking up a seat someone else might need.” Her gaze traveled toward the door, where a familyentered, a man a little older than Ellis helping an elderly woman inside.

My words to my brother the other day echoed through my mind.

Nice. Claire Holmes wasnice.

The trip to the rental counter and the process to get my car only took a few minutes. Then we were back out in the blustery weather.

I glanced at the sky as we got into the sleek, black SUV I rented. The clouds had thickened since we landed. It looked like snow was on the way.

“So, where are you headed from here?” she asked as we settled into the car. “The local police station? Or the Hammonds’ cabin?”

“Police station. I’m hoping by some miracle, they can spare someone to go with me to the Hammonds’ place. I’ve hiked all my life, but the Alaskan wilderness is unfamiliar territory. Ellis was supposed to come with me, but he’s sick.” I pulled onto the main road and headed into town.

“If you really need a guide, let me know. I can swing an extra day here. I grew up in Alaska and spent a lot of time over this way. Hoonah’s wilderness is like home.”

I cast a skeptical look at her, taking in her linen pants and silk blouse once more and remembering her dash through the night after her dog in her bathrobe and slippers. “You’re comfortable traipsing through the woods?”

An impish look crossed her face, bringing a smile to mine.

“Don’t let the fancy clothes fool you. While I might prefer my creature comforts, that doesn’t mean I can’t survive in the wilderness. My dad made sure of that.”

“And you just so happen to have survival gear packed into your carry-on?” I quirked an eyebrow in question.

Her smile turned sheepish. “Well, no. But I have some friends in town. I can borrow some clothing and gear.” She raised an eyebrow back at me. “Did you pack survival gear?”

“I’m wearing my boots, and I have some extra layers in my bag, yes.”

She snorted. “Those boots on your feet are not meant for long treks through the forest. Not the Alaskan forest, anyway. Where are you from? I’m guessing the South, somewhere, judging by your accent.”

“North Carolina.”

Her head bobbed. “That explains the shoes. Before you go off to the Hammonds’ cabin, please get some proper footwear. Even if you can drive most of the way there, you need the right shoes. Just in case. Roads out here—” She paused, shaking her head. “Let’s just say they can turn ugly real quick.”

“You sound like Ellis.”

“Well, if he cautioned you to respect the land, then he’s right. Alaska is not a place you fuck around and find out.”

That surprised a short laugh out of me. “You are a walking ball of contradictions, Ms. Holmes.”

“Gotta keep you on your toes, somehow, Detective.”

She certainly did that. She and her little dog.

I shifted a foot to the brake, feeling my hiking boot flex around my ankle. “So, where would one go to get proper footwear in this town?”

A wide smile slid over her face. “Turn left at that light.” She pointed ahead to the traffic signal half a mile away.

“Yes, ma’am.”

CHAPTER 13

Claire

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