Page 13 of The Scenic Route
“When management changed.” Filing her speculation about Bennett into a file markedThings to Think About Later, Felicity refocused on her current case. “Why did Yarran get promoted? Did the militia guys just take a vote?”
Looking thoughtful, Lou paused in stacking some used plates. “I’ve never thought about how a militia’s structured. Is it led by democratically elected officials? A board of directors? Do they fight for the alpha position like a pack of werewolves?”
The last suggestion made Felicity stare at her before looking back at Bennett, who was scrolling through the records on his screen, apparently unfazed. “I’m not seeing anything.”
“Hang on.” Felicity did an internet search on Cobra Jones from Simpson, Colorado, but nothing relevant came up. Hehadn’t died, been arrested, or anything else newsworthy—at least according to the internet. Disappointed, she sat back, thinking for a moment before asking Lou, “You mentioned being law enforcement–adjacent? What’s up with that?”
“I’m on the county’s rescue dive team,” Lou explained. “Callum too—he’s our brave leader, in fact. On calls, we work with lots of different departments: fire, search and rescue, sheriff’s office, even the Colorado BCA—Bureau of Criminal Apprehension—occasionally.”
“Anyone discreet and willing to share info at the sheriff’s office?” Felicity asked, wishing she was back in Langston with all her and her sisters’ contacts.
“Hmm…maybe?” Lou already had her phone out and was texting someone. After a few minutes, she spoke again. “Okay, so Daisy has to work until four tonight, but she said we can use her office for a murder club meeting anytime after that.”
That made even stone-faced Bennett blink.
“She does know this is just a boring meth dealer, right?” Felicity was questioning the wisdom of building her bounty-hunting army. “I can’t promise any murders.”
Waving a dismissive hand, Lou went back to clearing tables. “Don’t worry about disappointing the crew. They’re so hungry for some excitement, any crime will do.”
“That’s…reassuring?” Felicity found herself seeking eye contact with Bennett yet again. She really couldn’t help herself. It appeared they were the only two semi-normal people in a town of rather odd ducks, and Felicity wasn’t used to that. She and her sisters—with their bond-recovery business and feloniousmom—had always been the strange ones. It was disconcerting, to say the least.
Glancing at her phone, she cleared her laptop screen and powered down.
“Heading out?” Lou asked, looking a bit anxious, as if she was worried that Felicity would take her investigation—as tame as it was—and leave town altogether.
“It’s a little early to check in at the motel, but I’m going to try.” Felicity swallowed a yawn as she gathered her things, tucking everything neatly into her laptop bag. “My extremely early morning is catching up with me.”
“Callum has your number, right?” After Felicity nodded, Lou continued, “I’ll have him text you the address for Daisy’s gym. Not that you really need the address—it’s the only gym in town, and the town’s pretty small. Want to meet there around five? That way, we’ll be done before dinner. I highly recommend going to Levi’s after the murder club meeting.”
“Levi’s?” she asked.
“Barbecue place.” Lou clarified. “You’ll love it. Bring your stalker if you like.”
Felicity raised her eyebrows at him. “If I don’t, you’ll just show up anyway, won’t you?”
His shrug was definitely a yes.
***
The Black Bear Inn wasn’t much, but Felicity had seen a lot worse over the past couple weeks hunting for her mom. At least it was cheap and looked clean, plus not having to share withCharlie was a nice bonus. The security on the place was a joke though. The room key was an actualkey, with the room number attached. In all her bounty-hunting travels, she’d never seen that before—except in horror movies.
She’d barely put her bag down when a heavy knock at the door made her jump. Blaming her atypical nerves on her earlier scary-movie thoughts, Felicity exhaled in a laugh and headed for the door. After checking the peephole, she rolled her eyes and unlatched the dead bolt.
“Really, Mr. Green?” She swung open the door, revealing the man in all his mountain-size glory. “It’s been five minutes. Even real stalkers aren’t this dedicated.”
His frown appeared even more pronounced than usual as he peered over her shoulder into her room.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, following his gaze and not seeing anything except outdated furniture and her couple of bags.
“This place.”
She waited, but he didn’t seem inclined to elaborate.
“I mean, I’ve stayed in worse.” She gave a shrug as she leaned against the frame, holding the door open with her shoulder. When his frown deepened even more, she took a guess at what was bothering him. “Is it the furnishings from the seventies or the ancient plumbing that’s making you extra grumpy?”
“I’m not grumpy.” He had the gall to look surprised by that.
“Well, you give a really good impression of a Grumpy Gus then.” Her brain and body were protesting her early-morning wake-up, and she could feel her nap-time minutes slipping away. “What specifically is bothering you about this place?”
