Page 30 of Fast Currents
“You disappeared for a minute there at the end with Chaz. Everything okay?”
I nodded, swiping at a drip from my cone. I hid a smile when Clay’s eyes went hazy, his attention following my tongue. “I kicked a black case and stopped to put it back. It was a little odd.”
“How so?”
“I’ve never seen a case like that used for artwork. And it had initials etched in it: JD.”
Clay shrugged. “Maybe he uses it for tool storage.”
I shook my head. Something tickled at the back of my memory. “It’s not that kind of case either. Not unless he’s doing authentication that requires more sophisticated analysis with a spectrometer. But he usually does shows with local artists.There’s no need for authentication.” I snapped my fingers. “I know what it reminds me of – Rae has one on her boat.” I arched a brow. “And didn’t Drew find something like it at the beach this spring?”
“It could be just a coincidence that Drew had a similar case stolen from his truck the day after Jordan Dawkin’s death.”
“We never found out what was inside that case,” I said.
“But what are the chances Chaz nicked it? And why?”
I exchanged glances with Clay. “The sheriff still has questions about why Jordan Dawkins was on the cliffs that night. Could he have been bringing the case to Chaz?”
“And what, his second mate, Brandon Chen, finished the job?”
I tugged at my bottom lip. “Maybe. Not that we’ll have a chance to ask him. He’s still in jail after breaking into the Dawkins’ house.”
“I’m not sure we have enough to involve the sheriff.”
“Agreed.” I tilted my head. “But maybe you and I should go to Chaz’s next show?”
A broad grin stretched his cheeks. “Are you asking me on a date, Lucifer?”
“Is it still a date if it doubles as a stakeout?”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m counting it.” He clutched his hands to his chest, eyes twinkling. “You like me. Youreallylike me.”
The truth? I did. But my insecurities were so loud, they drowned out all the reasons why I should trust him with my body. Letting him that close meant he’d see everything I’d tried so hard to hide.
Chapter 14 – Clay
Chaz’s show on Saturday provided us the perfect excuse to check him out. If he really was involved in Jordan Dawkins’ death, then it was my duty to share that with law enforcement. But crying wolf would give me a black eye with the park service. I needed a little more than a case with Jordan’s initials on it to share our suspicions.
Around the time of Jordan’s death, there were rumors of smuggling from British Columbia through the San Juan Islands. But the case Drew and Lucy had described was too small to be anything at significant scale. The list of items that could fit in something that size was short: money, jewelry, or drugs.
And I couldn’t imagine why Chaz would hold on to the case if it was hot. Even in his relatively secure back room, it raised questions.
If we could talk our way into the back to snoop, we might find something useful. But a good lawyer could get any questionably obtained evidence thrown out. We were stuck watching. Waiting. Hoping Chaz slipped up. It seemed unlikely that awhale watching boat captain and an art gallery owner had much in common. But it was a small island.
Lucy’s front door swung open as I reached the steps. She filled the frame, bright as flame in a red dress. Advertising power and danger without saying a word.
I forgot everything I’d planned to say. It was the first time I’d seen her in full makeup, and the power of her dark gaze knocked me back a step.
Her dress had long sleeves and a high neckline but barely covered the tops of her thighs. She ran a hand over her hip. The tall black boots she wore contrasted with the deep red, making me think of a vampire hunter. All she needed was a wooden stake.
“Too much?” she asked, chin tilted.
“Marry me.” It popped out without hesitation.
She rolled her eyes, huffing a cute little sigh. But the way her lips twitched at the corners, I could tell she took it as the compliment she deserved. “It’d serve you right if someday I turned that joke around on you.”
“Not joking.”
