Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“Yes,” Flossy said, clapping her hands together. “I heard we’re going to block off Main Street completely.”
Ace nodded. “I heard that too. It’ll be good. We could put some nice tables out so people can enjoy the summer while we have it.”
Outside, a truck rumbled past. The town moved slow this time of morning, like it was stretching awake. Summer never lasted long enough, so everyone took time to enjoy the sun when it appeared.
“What are you doing here?” Flossy asked. “You haven’t been arrested again, have you?”
He brushed a hand through his thick hair. “I haven’t been arrested at all. Not yet anyway.”
Trooper Paige Johnson emerged from the back with an envelope in her hand. She moved like she hadn’t slept. Her shoulders were tight beneath her uniform, and her steps plodding. She handed it to him. “Here are the keys to your truck.”
“Thanks.” Ace looked her over. Her red hair was tied back in a ponytail. Fine lines stretched from the corners of her eyes, and dark circles pooled beneath them. She wasn’t wearing her hat, considering she was inside, but the rest of her uniform was crisp. “I take it you’re no closer to finding who killed the young student?”
“No.” Paige swallowed hard.
That wouldn’t do. “You’re sure you cleared the boyfriend, Tyler?”
“Yeah. He had several alibis, and I believed them. The kids headed back to Montana,” she said.
Ace could feel for them all. “Did you have to do the notification?”
“Yeah.” Paige wiped a hand over her eyes, exhaustion glimmering there. “Her parents were devastated, as you could imagine.”
The air felt heavier after that. Even the hum from the vent seemed to quiet.
“Are you sure you didn’t see anything that night?” she asked, squinting at him.
“I really didn’t. I got in a couple scuffles with Tyler, and that was it.” Ace shifted the envelope in his hand and leaned one shoulder against the wall. “There were a lot of tourists in the bar that night. Senator Mercer and his crew too.” He wanted to get back to May. “I think you should look closer at them.”
“That’s what your brother said.” Paige crossed her arms, and the fabric of her uniform pulled tight across her shoulders. “But we looked at the social media, and they really were doing some live events late into that night. Alaska’s several hours earlier than a good portion of the country.” She hid a yawn behind her hand. “I guess they could’ve faked it.”
“Plus, you don’t know what time she really died,” Flossy said, tapping a pen against her desk blotter.
“That’s true.” Paige exhaled slowly. “I mean, there’s no way to get a completely accurate timeline. But if we’re going to bring a U.S. senator in for questioning, I need more than you don’t like the guy, Ace.”
“Works for me,” Flossy said.
Ace winked at her.
The door opened, and Ophelia walked in, bringing a gust of summer air and the faint scent of pine with her. She moved with purpose, dark hair swinging over one shoulder, eyes scanning the room before landing on him. “Hey, Ace. Getting your truck back?”
“Yeah, finally,” he said. “Apparently I’m cleared.”
“We didn’t find anything in your truck,” Paige said quickly. “Doesn’t mean you’re clear.”
Ophelia didn’t seem bothered by that. She slipped her arm through Ace’s and tugged him toward the hallway. “Why don’t you come back to Brock’s office? I want to talk to you.”
“Okay,” Ace said, letting her pull him.
The hallway lights hummed overhead. Old photographs lined the walls, black-and-white shots of past sheriffs, past winters, and past storms. The building held to history in a way that was strangely comforting. Their footsteps softened on the runner rug as they turned into Brock’s office.
The room opened up wide on one wall with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The other wall held bookshelves stuffed with binders, old case files, and family pictures. The final wall, across from Brock’s desk, featured a framed photograph of the sheriff’s station at twilight with a glorious sunset spreading across the sky behind it.
“This is new.” Ace peered at the framed photograph.
“Yeah. May took it. Brock tried to buy it from her, but she wouldn’t take any money.” Ophelia stepped closer to the picture, her shoulder brushing Ace’s arm. “She’s very talented. If she ever wants to give up being a doctor, she’d have another career easy.”
It was true. May definitely had an eye for shadows and light. In the photo, the police station felt steadier than it did some days, the sky moodier, the lines cleaner. She somehow captured a mood with the use of light and shadow. And definitely talent.
Ace dragged a hand over his jaw and glanced out at the mountains. The town looked small from here. Manageable. Like nothing terrible could hide in it. “What’s up, Olly?”
“Well,” she said, folding her arms tight. “I want to get Amka and Christian a nice wedding present, but I just can’t figure anything out. You know your brother better than I do. Any ideas?”