Page 65 of Beautifully Broken Pieces
A grin split Tuck’s face. “I’m happy for you, brother. Really fucking happy.”
“Don’t get too excited. She’s slippery. Like a horse that’s been hurt. Skittish. No sudden moves, if you catch my drift.”
Tuck nodded, but before he could say anything else, another knock sounded on my door. “Come in,” I called.
Clark poked his head in. “Perfect. I was just about to call Tuck after I spoke with you, Walk.”
“What’s going on, Chief?”
Clark strode towards the empty chair, gripping the back of it so tightly, I thought it might snap. Shit. This was not good. “Some hikers found another body.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. It felt as if the air were made of tiny shards of glass that shredded my throat and lungs. “Caitlin?” I asked, my voice rough. We hadn’t ended well. She’d been a bitch to Taylor. But I knew she would’ve gotten over it, gone back to the sweet girl I had known growing up. My chest tightened when I thought of her parents.
Clark kept his gaze on me steady. “It’s looking that way. I know the two of you had history. I’m sorry, Walk.”
I straightened in my chair. “You’re not taking me off the case, are you?”
Clark shook his head. “No. Maybe I should, but you’re the best I’ve got. You’re not family, and you weren’t currently seeing her. I can bend the rules.”
I jerked up my chin. “I appreciate that, Chief.”
“You can thank me by catching this son of a bitch.”
I didn’t let my eyes move from his. “We will.”
Clark released his death grip on the chair. “Get on out to the crime scene.” He gave us the details of where the body was located, along with instructions to keep him up-to-date, and then headed back to his office.
What freaked me out the most was that the body had been found so close to where we had discovered Taylor. I roughly pocketed my phone and shut off my computer with enough force to send the machine rocking.
Tuck’s meaty palm came down on my shoulder. “You gonna be able to keep your head straight with all this?”
“Yep,” I said through my clenched teeth.
“Good. We need you on your A-game.”
As we headed out to Tuck’s truck, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
Taylor:Want to brave dinner at my place tonight?
Emotions warred within me. Part of me wanted to beat my chest in victory that she had reached out to make plans. The other part felt guilty as hell for any bit of happiness I might be experiencing currently.
Me:I’d love to, but I have to warn you, I might be shit company. On my way to a tough call-out.
Within seconds, there was a reply.
Taylor:Zero pressure, but maybe I can take care of you for a change. You don’t have to talk about it. Just come eat. Hopefully I won’t give you food poisoning.
I let out a bark of laughter, and Tuck’s gaze jumped to me. He raised an eyebrow, and I just shook my head.
Me:Sounds perfect. I’ll text when I have an idea of when this might wrap up for the day.
Taylor:Great. See you later.
Me:Tonight, Short-stack.
Tuck didn’t press me for details when I climbed into his rig, and I was grateful. I did not want to venture into the land of feelings with Tuck. I soaked up the silence, attempting to get my mind focused on the task ahead.
The trailhead was littered with law enforcement vehicles when we arrived. As Tuck threw the truck in park, I spoke up. “I sent an officer to Frank Pardue’s cabin. There was no answer. His truck is there, but no signs of life. I told my guy to stay put till Frank comes back.”
