Page 69 of Bait and Switch
Was he afraid or just getting out of the way?
“Hey, don’t miss this,” Gabe said, nodding out the room’s one window and toward the bullpen.
Casey twisted to see, his eyes narrowing as he watched Eli Rizzi being led away in disgrace. “Couldn’t have happened to a better man,” he said. “I’d say that prison is too good for him,but I imagine it’s going to be pure hell.” He returned his focus to those at the table.
“You’ll bring in forensic investigators to check out the site?” Casey asked Boyd. “Sooner rather than later?”
“Weather depending, yes.”
“You’ll need an expert, someone who knows the area.”
“Are you offering your services?”
“No one is more familiar with The Valley than me or my work partner, Greta Harris.”
Boyd cocked his head. “It’s against protocol, but one of us will call you when we have a team together. We’ll likely contract with WCF, they’re top-notch when it comes to cold cases, and they’ll at least need a guide.”
Gabe was a bit surprised that Boyd shared that much information but maybe he realized it was the only way to keep Casey from interfering. And even then, it probably wasn’t going to be enough.
“WCF?” Elton repeated, his eyebrows a fuzzy white line across his forehead.
“West Coast Forensics,” Boyd clarified. “This is exactly the kind of case they excel at. And Kimball Frye, the owner-slash-COO, owes me a favor right now.”
They were allowedto leave the Sheriff’s Office in the late afternoon, after being unnecessarily reminded once or five times not to talk toanyoneabout what they’d witnessed. On their way back to Elton’s, they detoured for a much-needed meal at the Geoduck Inn.
“Oh my god,” exclaimed Gabe when they walked in the door, immediately feeling his shoulders start to relax as he drew in a deep breath. “Carb and saturated fat heaven. I’m not going to regret a single bite.”
Elton chose the same table next to the windows as the last time Gabe had been there with him, and the same waitress—possibly owner—came over with menus for them.
“We’ll take three cheeseburger specials and three waters,” Elton said before she could leave.
“Alright,” she laughed. “You guys are hungry.”
“It’s been a day,” Elton confirmed.
She walked away and they were all quiet for a second, just looking at each other. Then Gabe snorted and Elton chuckled.
Casey stared at them both for a few seconds more before letting a smirk curve his lips. “A dayis one way of pitching it.”
Casey’s cellphone buzzed while they were stuffing their faces with fries and burgers.
“It’s Greta,” he said before answering. “Hey, Greta. Yeah, I’ll brief you tomorrow. Oh, nice. That’s great news. One sec.” To Elton and Gabe, he said, “The person we rescued the other night regained consciousness.” The phone conversation continued for another minute, consisting mostly of grunts and yesses on Casey’s part. Gabe finished his meal and proceeded to steal one of Casey’s fries, and Casey glared.
Gabe shrugged and grinned back. “A toll for cell phone at the table.”
“You’re lucky he doesn’t take your hand off,” Elton said.
“I’ll risk it.” Gabe reached out for a second fry. “They must make these from scratch, slice up the potatoes and everything. Best fries I’ve ever had.” He felt confident making the statement since french fries had been one of Heidi’s few weaknesses. They’d sampled them up and down the coast and inland as well.
Casey narrowed his eyes and swatted Gabe’s hand away with one hand as he clicked off and put the phone down with the other. “Normally, rescuers send people off to trauma centersand we never know what happens to them, whether they live or die. But when Carlos woke up, he asked his medical team to personally thank us for him,” Casey told them. “And if you take one more of my fries, it will be you at the trauma center.”
“Tough talk, tough talk,” teased Gabe, taking another fry regardless of the impending danger. Maybe because of it. “That’s cool that the guy wanted you to know he’d made it. Folks like you and Greta make a real difference out there,” Gabe said around another of Casey’s fries. He had the fleeting thought that he might regret the greasy meal later, but likely not. He would probably need ice cream. “I’d like to meet her.”
“Greta and her wife, Abby, are good people,” Elton said. “They usually have a shindig over the holidays. I’ll make sure you get an invite.”
Gabe had kind of put the holiday season out of his mind. In the best of times, the holidays meant little to Gabe; they’d moved too often to collect any decorations. Now that he thought about it, he realized he’d already seen houses with colorful lights hanging off the eaves and blow-up Santas and other creatures gracing their lawns all over the island.
Who wants to cart around that crap, Chance?
