Page 28 of Christmas Homecoming Secrets
She gaped. Then snapped her mouth shut. “I had no idea. You can’t tell. Frank didn’t say anything about it, either.” Frank hadn’t said much of anything, apparently. “I’m so sorry. I’m…wow.”
He shrugged. “It took me a while to come to grips with it, but I have a buddy who lost an arm, and he’s been a big help.”
“I’m glad.” Very glad. The more insights into his life over the past six years that he revealed, the more her long-held anger started to fade.
“So, are we ready to do this?” he asked.
She studied him a moment longer, then nodded, wincing slightly. “Sure, but I’m hoping I can convince the kids to put off decorating the tree until tomorrow night.” It was a wimpy way to end the day, but her body was done.
“I understand. I’ll help you get it in the house, and Sasha and I’ll join you tomorrow, if that’s all right.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Her phone rang, and she activated the vehicle’s Bluetooth to answer it. “Hi, Captain. Just to let you know, I’m driving and you’re on Speaker. Bryce Kingsley is with me.”
“Got it. First, how are you doing? Are you all right? You’ve sure been having a tough couple of days.”
“It’s been rough for sure. I’m heading home now.”
“Take some time off. You need to heal. I’ve got two of our best detectives on this, so you can rest easy. I’ve also told them to keep you updated on anything they find out.”
Bryce kept his mouth shut at the words but nodded his agreement and made sure she saw him do it. She rolled her eyes at him. “Captain, can we just see how I feel in the morning? I’m not ready to quit looking for Frank just yet.”
“That’s up to you. I did want to let you know that I’ve got the shooting range security footage.”
“That’s good news.”
“I know you wanted to look at it, but in light of this recent attack on you, don’t worry about it for now. I’ll watch it and let you know what we find out—if anything.”
“I can come in and watch—”
“Hold on a second. Got a call coming in from the cadaver dog handler.”
Jade’s breath lodged in her throat. She drove in silence, every nerve on alert. Bryce had stilled, his only movement to curl his fingers into fists.
Two minutes later, the captain came back on the line. “You there?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Jade, I…”
“Sir? Just say it, please.”
“I hate it, but they’ve found a body out in the woods behind the mill,” he said, his voice rough with compassion. “According to the wallet next to the body, it’s Frank Shipman.”
SIX
Bryce’s whole body went still. A tear tracked down Jade’s cheek and she sniffed.
“Jade?” The captain’s voice broke through the shock.
“Yes, sir,” she said. “Give me a moment to regroup and I’ll be right there.”
“You don’t—” Captain Colson sighed. “Of course you’ll go. I understand. Be careful.”
“Of course.”
“I’m so sorry, Jade. I was really hoping for a different outcome.”
