Page 44 of Against the Autumn Pines
“Hey Danny, I was wondering if you could run a quick plate for me. It’s for a case I’m working, and I’m curious if this guy is connected,” I explained.
“Ohh boy. Yeah, I’ve got ya. What’s the plate?” I rattled off the make and model, along with the plate number for him.
“Mm, funny. The plate is registered to a Honda Civic, which was reported stolen a week ago in Sapphire Cove. So I’m assuming your guy is swapping plates. Want me to send someone over to grab him, or do you plan to follow him like an undercover first?” he asked with a chuckle.
I rolled my eyes and smiled. “Definitely not following him anywhere. If he follows his pattern, he’ll be gone in the next ten minutes, but grab him if you want. Let me know if you find out anything.”
“I’ll send someone over now. Sorry I couldn’t be any more help though, Wyatt.”
“Actually, it was helpful, Danny. I appreciate it. Let me know when you’re free next. We can meet up with everyone and get some beers.”
“Absolutely.”
We said our goodbyes, and I made a note in my phone of everything Danny had said, along with the car and its plate—never knew when you’d need that type of info on hand.
I chuckled as her message popped up in the app.
Scream-Pies: I’m going to actually kick your ass this time. Have you lost your mind?
I had lost my mind, but was I going to tell her that? Of course not.
ImVengecock: No, I haven’t actually. Now you’ll have more energy when it’s me that’s left behind instead of roses.
Was I crossing a few lines? Yes. I was. But I had thought about what my mom had told me, and she was right. I needed to do things that would help make her life easier.
Ember was the type of woman who didn’t trust easily—with good reason from everything I’d gathered, and I knew when she found out that I’d known who she was for more than half a second and didn’t tell her? Well, I’d need some bonus points already built up in my favor.
This was bonus points, so I watched and waited.
The Nissan drove away right on time, and I smirked as a Raven Creek police cruiser went down the street after him, waiting two blocks before pulling him over. Probably double-checking that the plate was what I’d read off. I had planned on watching to see if he was arrested, but Jade walked out of the bakery, and this was my only opportunity to talk to Ember without Jade outing who I was.
She knew me as Drew, which would sort of ruin my current plans, so I’d have to ensure when I went in, it wasn’t with her present—at least not yet. She’d been here since a few minutes before two, and Ember hadn’t kicked her out. Instead, they sat down and had coffee, laughed, and Ember started showing her around the place.
I knew Ember would love her. She just had to be given that little bit of a push to know for herself first. So I pushed.
Walking into the bakery, I smiled.
“Blueberry muffins today?” I called out.
She turned around and rolled her eyes when she saw me.
“Blueberry scones.”
“Hm. Never had a scone before. Are they good?”
Her eyes widened. “Did you just ask me if the food I made was good or not?”
I chuckled. “I guess I did, yeah.”
She shook her head. “They’re delicious, Carragan.” She turned away, grabbing what I assumed was the blueberry scone and a black coffee to go before turning back to me. “Take it, have your mind blown, and get out of here.”
I looked down at her, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly before she let out a slow breath, and her face returned to normal.
“Are you always going to be fighting that smile when I come in to see you? Or is this a temporary thing, Brady?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” she replied quickly.
I chuckled. “You do. Can’t fight me forever though. I’m like a boomerang. Always coming back for more, no matter how hard you throw me.”
