Page 36 of Hunting the Truth
Maya swung into the local coffee shop and picked up some drinks for her, Josh, Pops, Lucas and Miranda. She didn’t know if the detectives drank coffee, but in her mind, was there anyone who worked in law enforcement and didn’t drink coffee? She added a few extra orders.
As she sat down in her patrol vehicle, Juniper was whining in the back. Maya waited for her to settle down for a moment and then let her stick her head through the door between the compartment and the cab. Juniper watched out the front window as they turned onto the street and pulled into the sheriff’s parking lot.
Juniper grunted and pulled her head back through to her own side and plopped down on her haunches, giving Maya a look that said she was not happy because she knew she was being left in the vehicle again. Maya reached back and scratched Juniper behind her ears.
“I promise I’ll get you some time out in the woods soon, girl. I know you’re tired of this meeting stuff. Maybe if Josh isn’t too mad at me, he’d even be willing to decoy for us and let you take a bite.”
Juniper gave her a quick lick on the hand and Maya hoped that meant she was forgiven. If she wasn’t forgiven, then there was a good chance Juniper would sneak something into her dog run and get payback. Maya still had a pair of chewed-up boots to take to the shoe repair shop. That had been her fault, though. She’d left them too close to Juniper’s run and they had become casualties of Juniper’s sharp teeth.
Carefully getting out of the vehicle, Maya carried the coffee holder across the parking lot. As she was approaching the door, she heard a female voice say, “Let me get the door for you.”
Glancing back over her shoulder, Maya saw a smaller woman dressed in black slacks, a cream-colored blouse and a black jacket. She had her badge on her belt and gun holstered on her hip. Her dark hair was cut in a bob with some waves. Her makeup brought out her eyes, which reminded Maya of the color of some of the glacial lakes in the high country. The woman carried herself with an air of confidence and like someone who would get what they wanted.
“Detective Harper?” Maya asked.
“Please, just call me Abigail.”
“Okay,” Maya said as Abigail opened the door for her. “Thanks.” She went inside, still balancing the coffees precariously.
“Here, let me help,” Abigail said, taking a few of the coffees from Maya.
“Thanks again. I’m Maya...”
“Officer Thompson—yes, I know,” Abigail said.
“I guess the Forest Service uniform gave me away,” Maya said. She liked how direct Abigail was. With her help, this might be the chance they were looking for to get some good information on Eric Torres. Maya wanted to know if Abigail could connect Eric with Nana and her mother as well as how he might know Kendra. Hopefully she had some answers.
“My partner, Blake Conner, is parking our car. He’ll be in in a minute. Where should we meet you?”
“Go through those doors,” Maya said, nodding in the direction behind the front desk. “There’s a meeting room down that way. We’ll be there. And if you want those coffees, they’re yours.”
“Good, we had a long drive and I need caffeine. I’m sure Blake does too. See you in a minute,” Abigail said.
Maya headed on down to the meeting room. Abigail Harper might be exactly who they needed. Maya could already tell she was sharp and didn’t mess around. Her kind of person.
When she got to the meeting room, Josh was the only person in there. He was reading through some more reports.
“Hey there,” Maya said. “Brought you some coffee.”
Josh looked up and flashed his grin, which brought out Maya’s favorite dimple and made her heart beat a little faster. She felt better seeing him look happier this morning.
“Thanks,” he said, taking one from her.
She set the rest on the table. “You’re welcome. You look better rested.”
“I am. Even though we were out late, I slept really well.”
“That’s good,” Maya said.
They stared at each other for a moment in awkward silence until someone behind Maya cleared their throat. Miranda. “You two making up?” she asked.
Maya laughed and shook her head. Miranda was to the point too. “I guess,” she finally answered.
“Good.”
“There’s a coffee for you,” Maya said, as Pops, Lucas and Abigail came into the room. A man followed Abigail. He was maybe a few years older than Abigail, but younger than Pops. He had the look of someone who’d been in law enforcement their entire life. He nodded at Maya but didn’t greet her or acknowledge her more than that. His demeanor seemed cold and cut-off. She didn’t know what to make of him but figured it didn’t really matter as long as they all worked together.
Everyone took a seat around the table and Pops started the meeting.
