Page 26 of Scorched

Paul nodded. “Fair enough. But we might have more resources available that could help speed up the investigation.”

“Look, I don’t mind a little help. We’re always short-handed, what with cattle getting out of fences and domestic disputes we answer to, but I don’t want some yahoo muckin’ around and messin’ up my investigation, got that?”

“Yes, sir.” Paul liked the old coot, despite his belligerence. “How about if my partner, Special Agent Bradley, and I work alongside you until we find the guy who did this?”

“Is Agent Bradley like you?”

“A little, only she fancies herself a Texan even though she grew up in Boston.”

The sheriff’s stern face settled into a grin. “Can’t be all bad if she wants to be a Texan. Not everyone can be one, though. It’s something you gotta live, breathe and defend.” He nodded at Paul. “Not everyone opens up to people with funny accents.”

“Like me, right?” Paul returned the sheriff’s grin. “I’ll work on that.”

“My advice to you is to get a hat.” The sheriff nodded at his on the seat beside him. Paul was saved from a response when the sheriff’s cell phone chirped, and he reached for it. “Excuse me.”

Paul ate several bites of the greasy eggs, his stomach churning over the lack of evidence he could sink his teeth into.

The sheriff listened to the caller, the smile on his face fading, dipping into a fierce frown. He set his napkin beside his plate. “You tell Mrs. Holzhauer I’ll be there in five minutes. Don’t let anyone inside the girl’s apartment until the state crime lab can get there and process the scene.”

Paul couldn’t feign indifference to the call. Every hackle he had stood at full attention.

When the sheriff disconnected, he stood, leaving the majority of his food untouched. “We’ve had another woman reported missing at the Hilltop Apartments. Ready to go to work?”

Paul rose, tossing enough cash on the table to cover the meal for both of them and a sizable tip for Mandy. “Let’s go. I’ll follow you.”

A few minutesbefore the last class of Elise’s day, Kendall McKenzie rushed in, followed by Alex Mendoza. “Ms. Johnson.” She stopped short and let out a relieved sigh. “Oh, good, you’re still here.”

Elise smiled at the girl. “Of course, I’m here. We have class at this time.” She laughed. “Why would you think otherwise?”

Alex nudged Kendall in the side hard enough to take the wind out of her next words. “No reason.”

It wasn’t like Alex to lie about something. “No really, why wouldn’t I be in my classroom?”

“Because my mother is going to have you fired.” Ashley Finch flounced into the room and slung her backpack on the floor beside her desk.

Elise fought not to roll her eyes.

Students filed in and took their seats just as the tardy bell buzzed in the hallway.

Elise had a job to do, whether she felt like it or not. And she definitely didn’t feel like forcing history intothe closed minds of hormonal teenagers when a killer ran free in the same town. But what else would she do? Run home and hide under the bed until the danger passed?

She refused to cower. If her sister could bring criminals to justice while being personally targeted, Elise should at least be able to teach a few high school kids without running screaming.

She’d pulled out her history book and opened it to the current chapter when Caesar strolled through the door, bumped Alex out of his seat and plopped down in it.

“Hey!” Alex picked himself up off the floor and glared at Caesar. “That’s my seat.”

Caesar glanced down at the desk and back at Alex. “Doesn’t have your name on it.”

Elise inhaled, let it out and crossed her arms over her chest. “Out.”

Caesar’s dark brows rose into the long, unruly hair hanging down in his eyes. “Who, me?”

“Now.” Elise’s eyes narrowed into slits.

“And what are you going to do if I don’t leave?” His mouth twisted into an irritating smirk. “Your boyfriend isn’t here today.”

Elise didn’t bother arguing with the young man. She spun on her heel and marched to the intercom attached to the wall. Before she could punch the button, Caesar was on his feet and across the room.

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