Page 78 of Not That Complicated

“You ghosted me, Liam. How great a human being can you be?”

Liam smiled with teeth. “Handling the public is all part of my job. It would be very unprofessional for me to do anything in the course of my investigation, one way or another, at the prompting of anyone other than a fellow officer, or my superior.”

“Definitely not because your controlling cousin, who’s trying to bang ‘the public’ involved, asked you to.”

I’d been going for a joke to lighten the mood. I didn’t like being treated like a drama queen, but I appreciated the intent behind it, to make me feel less helpless.

The joke failed to land. Liam was pissed off. “I take my job very seriously, Ray. There’s a line. I’m careful with it. In a small community, you have to be. Yes, Adam called. He’s concerned for you.” He rolled his eyes. “Very concerned. He’s nosy and controlling, and he had suggestions on how I should handle things. A lot of suggestions. However, this—” he pointed between us, “—is me trying to be a good police officer. I’ve got to find the balance between keeping you informed and getting the job done.”

“You can be very stern.”

“Ray.”

“I’m kidding. Thank you for your efforts. I’d rather have it stated plainly then be led by the hand to a foregone conclusion, but I appreciate the good intentions.”

He grunted, still offended and annoyed.

“How long until I can come home?”

“Depends on whether they find any more bodies.”

“Ugh. Don’t say that.”

He pressed a smile away, flattening his lips.

“Seriously, though. Guesstimate for me.”

“Say a week.”

Ouch. That was going to hit me square in the wallet if I was looking at a week at a hotel.

“And how bad’s the damage going to be? If they rip the floor up and punch holes in the walls, they’ll fix it up, right?”

“I don’t know, Ray. I haven’t worked with the London guys before. They’re probably fine.”

Fine? How encouraging. “And you’re sure a dog is absolutely off the table?”

“Yes.”

“Can I hire one as an independent contractor?”

“No.”

I decided to look into it as soon as I got back to the hotel.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

For the first time sincethis whole unwanted period of excitement had started, Adam was not behind the front desk at the Premier Lodge. I’d expected him to be there, in part because he always seemed to be. Mostly, though, because I wanted him to be.

I was thwarted by the bright-eyed smile from the woman sitting in Adam’s seat.

She stood up expectantly.

Deciding it would look weird to change direction after we’d already made eye contact, I continued on my path.

“Good afternoon, sir,” she said. “How can I help you today?”

Was it afternoon already? I’d intended to ask if the business centre was available—it seemed like a breezily reasonable question—only what came out was, “Is Adam here?”

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