“She was a little sleepy and cranky this morning but hanging in there. Hopefully, she goes down early tonight.”
“Let me know if I can do anything,” Elsie offered.
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. Now, what can I get you?”
“I’ll take one of those chocolate peanut butter cup muffins. You’ve got me addicted.”
I laughed as I grabbed the muffin. “I love to hear that.”
Elsie handed me a few bills. “Keep the change.”
“Thanks,” I said, adding the extra to the tip jar.
I lost myself in the rhythm of customers. The sun was out, and things were busier than they had been lately. It wasn’t just Jonesy and Elsie filling seats. A handful of tourists, locals on their lunch breaks, and a mom out with her infant were also in. But Officer Hall stayed perched outside to ensure we had no unwanted patrons.
The hustle and bustle were a welcome break. It helped to distract me from everything else that was going on. One hour bled into two, and people came and went in a steady flow.
A curse sounded from the kitchen, and I winced. “You okay, Zeke?”
“Need you to watch the stove or take out the trash,” he called back.
I did not want to be responsible for ruining whatever Zeke was cooking. “I’ve got the trash.”
He was right. It was full to bursting and needed to be taken out now. I lifted the bag and swore it weighed more than I did. It took me two tries to tie it off, but I finally succeeded and swung it over my shoulder.
I unlocked the new deadbolt Holt had installed on the back door and stepped into the alley. The forest behind us meant I was greeted by birdsong and the wind. At least the breeze kept down the smell of the dumpster. I pushed the lid up and threw the bag in.
As I turned to head back to the café, movement caught my eye. But I was too late.
Something struck the side of my head. Blinding pain flashed, and I fell. I hit the ground hard, groaning. I tried to sit up, to do anything, but a boot stomped down on my neck.
“Time for you to get yours, bitch,” a voice growled.
A needle plunged into my arm, and the world started to melt away. I tried to scream, call for help, yell for Roan. But every word was stolen from my lips. And then there was nothing at all.
47
ROAN
“How do we have nothing?” I said, slamming my pen down on the pad of paper.
Lawson and Nash eyed me warily. Nash scooted his box of donuts toward me. “Need something to eat?”
Lawson’s lips twitched.
“It’s not fuckin’ funny,” I snarled.
Lawson just rolled his eyes, not put off by my bellow. “Sorry, but any time Nash offers to part with food, you know you’re in a bad way.”
“I panicked,” Nash defended. “I don’t want him going over the edge and punching us both.”
I grabbed the box and flipped it open. “Just for that, I’m taking the Boston Cream.”
“Hey! I was saving that one.”
“I know. That’s why I’m taking it.”
Nash turned to Lawson. “You’re right. I think I liked him better when he just brooded silently.”
I took a huge bite of the donut in answer.
Lawson chuckled, then patted Nash on the back. “I’ll get you some more tomorrow.”
“I wanted it today,” Nash grumbled.
Lawson just shook his head. “I think you’ll survive.” He leaned back in his chair at the head of the conference table. “Let’s go over everything from the beginning.”
I groaned. “We need to interrogate Steven.”
The podcaster had retained a lawyer—one who ordered him not to answer any of our questions this morning. We’d gotten nothing.
“It’s not like that prick will tell us a damned thing,” Nash muttered.
“I put a call in for the visitor logs from John’s prison. I want to see just how often those two got together,” Lawson said.
“Oren Randal, too,” I added.
The reporter had made bail late this morning after being served with a restraining order. Lawson had Clint and Adams tailing him at a distance to make sure he obeyed it. Another two officers were sitting on Steven’s rental cabin, but they hadn’t seen any signs of movement, and his vehicle was still in the drive.
“I want to take a closer look at anyone who had a lot of contact,” Lawson said.
Nash pulled the box of donuts back in his direction. “I think we need to get posters up at all the trailheads. Ask people to call in if they see any suspicious behavior. Maybe a hiker saw something and they just don’t know it.”