Page 35 of Dangerous Secrets
“That’s because she’s notfrom around here.”She didn’t want Sawyer’s cop instincts kickingin since she was pretty sure, despite what she’d said, his interestcould mean trouble for Cam.
Delaney poured him a cup of coffee,leaving it black as he liked it, and slipping the cardboard sleeveover the to-go cup and capping the top before handing it tohim.
“Thanks,Laney.”
“Why do the McGrath boysinsist on calling me Laney?”
He gave his sexy half grin.“Becauseyou’re ours.”
She shook her head.
Sawyer’s claim was true.He’d alwaystreated her like a younger sister, but Walker didn’t see her thatway.There were times when Delaney wondered what made attractionhappen, because despite Sawyer being at the top of any woman’shot-and-sexy scale, she’d never felt one iota of attraction forhim.Nope.Her pheromones had only ever responded to his brother’s,and look where that had gotten her.A big fat nowhere.
But that didn’t mean she didn’t wantanswers.“What’s going on with Walker?Did you catch who shothim?”
Sawyer removed the lid to blow overthe steaming coffee before taking a sip.She waited because hewasn’t one to rush into speech.“No to the second question.I’mrunning down some leads, but right now I’ve gotnothing.”
“It could be Vance.Hecould’ve hired someone to go after Walker.He always hated him,probably because he knocked out his front teeth back in the day.”She cocked her head.“I’m guessing you heard about the scene in theEasy Money parking lot last week.”
“Yeah, I heard.I’mlooking into Norris.So far, I’m not seeing anything to connect himto a couple guys shooting at my brother.I’m not giving up,though.”Sawyer’s gaze held steady over the rim of his cup as hetook another sip.“Another thing, I don’t want you out by yourselflate at night.You, Keeley, any woman, needs to be cautious.Andnever leave your drinks unattended.That’s all common sense, butnow I’m asking you to be particularly vigilant.”
“Why?What’s goingon?”
“There’ve been a number ofsexual assaults in mountain towns around here, and so far policedon’t have a suspect.Rohypnol has been a factor in most of them.You need to be smart and stay safe.”
Delaney squelched the immediate desireto punch someone.“Damn.I hate that.I hate that some monster outthere thinks it’s his right to drug and rape women.If I see anyguy trying something like that, I’ll kick him in theballs.”
“I’d say leave the ballkicking to me, but I heard you proved you could take care ofyourself when you went badass and dropped Norris.”He grinned.“Good job.But this guy we’re looking for is much more dangerousand won’t be as easily handled.Add in the calf killed on yourproperty, and I’m more than a little concerned.Becareful.”
“The dead calf can’t betied to sexual assaults.”
“It doesn’t appear likely,but the upshot is you’ve got plenty of reason to stay watchful.”Henodded toward the door.“Tell your friend out there to be on guardtoo.”
They walked out onto the deck.She’dintended to steer him right past Cam and to his car, but she foundthe deck empty and the application she’d given Cam on the table.Sawyer shot her a look but only said, “Later, Laney.”
Once his vehicle disappeared aroundthe bend in the road, she went looking for the woman she was nowcertain was in trouble and scared of cops.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Delaney walked along the town’sboardwalks, a canvas bag bulging with flyers over her shoulder asshe absorbed the peaceful vibe in Sisters on a beautiful latespring morning.This kind of day made it hard to believe any of theugliness Sawyer had described was real.
She loved her little mountain town.The oldest buildings were on Main Street, and over the past thirtyyears many had been rehabbed with an eye to maintaining theirhistoric charm.Rehab had involved protecting the structures fromdisasters, so the old wood-framed hardware store had been made fireresistant, while brick buildings like the bank and theturn-of-the-century firehouse were reinforced to prevent them fromcrumbling in an earthquake.
Preservation and rehabilitation of theold downtown had paid off.Now the area was a popular destination,enticing tourists to spend time at the collection of shops sellingeverything from antiques to bicycles.
There were several restaurants andcafés, a bakery, and an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.Halfbarrels serving as planters dotted the wooden boardwalk and burstwith spring blooms.
Another draw was the small museum atthe Sisters Mine that highlighted the region’s gold rushhistory.
The mine was located in a wide canyoncarved into the base of Payback Mountain, and the road to themuseum and mine offered glorious views of the valley.
Delaney felt satisfaction that CiderMill Farm also brought visitors to the area.There was somethingabout picking your own berries and apples, and visiting ahundred-year-old working farm, that appealed to people.
The fact of which further convincedher condos and golf courses weren’t what the areaneeded.
So far, every business she’d asked hadallowed her to post a flyer in the window advertising u-pickberries at the farm with the dates listed of performances by thelocal band Blue Moon.At the bottom, she’d added a plug for theirLabor Day kickoff of apple season.
She opened the door to Retro Days, theshop owned by Mateo’s mom, Antonia Reynoso.Entering the shop madeher think she was walking into a TV set from a 70ssitcom.
