Page 18 of Whispers of Redemption

“Yes, I’m looking for officers Garcia and Riley,” she said.

“Just saw them in the locker room,” came a voice from the back. “I’ll get ’em.”

Within moments, the two men were walking toward her. Somehow, Wade Riley seemed even bigger than she remembered. And better looking, she grudgingly admitted to herself. He towered over many of the other officers, and that disconcerting golden hawk’s gaze latched onto her once again.

“Ms. Sherwin,” he said.

Cassie pressed her lips together and stared up at him for a long moment. Then, lifting the straw of her drink to her lips, she made loud, slurping sips as she sucked up the end of her macchiato. Hugo Garcia looked amused, but Wade frowned.

“Look, Waaaade,” she said, dragging out his name, “are you trying to tick me off on purpose? I told you, it’s Cassie.”

She watched with interest as Wade’s face flushed in anger. Then she purposefully turned her attention toward Hugo. “I have some new information that may help the case,” she said.

“Great!” Hugo said, his expression brightening. “We’ll take you somewhere we can talk.”

Just then, a small, white head popped out of the open top of the backpack she had slung over one shoulder.

“Awwww, hey there!” Hugo said, reaching out to pat the furry, white head.

Wade’s jaw dropped open. “Ms. Sherwin, you can’t have that dog in here! It’s completely against the rules!”

A young, dark-haired woman in a floral-print dress was just walking past and spotted Angel. “Oh my gosh, what an adorable puppy!” She dropped the files she was carrying on the nearest desk and came over to join Hugo in petting Angel. “You are so sweet! What’s her name?” the woman asked, looking at Cassie.

“Angel,” Cassie said.

“Of course you are. You are a little Angel-poo aren’t you?” the woman cooed, red-lacquered fingernails scratching behind one ear in a way that made Angel lean her head heavily in that direction.

“Is that a puppy?” another police officer stopped to pet Angel as he passed by.

“So cute!”

“Did we get a new therapy dog?”

Within moments, a small crowd had gathered around Angel, who was now passed from person to person, licking faces with her tail wagging.

Until she was next to Wade, that is. Once again, she leaped down from the arms of the person holding her and locked her tiny teeth onto his pant leg, tugging hard at it and growling ferociously, making everyone laugh. “Ms. Sherwin!” he said above the din, “will you please take your dog outside!”

“Oh, relax, Wade,” Hugo said, picking up the dog, who became perfectly docile in his arms. “It’s not like we never have dogs in here. Besides, it’s too hot to leave a dog in the car at this time of year. You’d have to give Cassie a ticket for that.” Hugo winked at Cassie, and she fought to suppress an amused grin.

“Well, we need to start our shift,” Wade said through tight lips. “So, if you have something to share with us about the case, Ms. Sherwin, we need to hear it now.”

Hugo, still carrying Angel, led the way through the main room and then down a short hallway to a small conference room. He closed the door and let Angel down. Wade eyed her apprehensively while Hugo indicated that Cassie take a seat in one of the hard, wooden chairs across from the two of them.

The room was small and windowless, dominated by a large, rectangular table. The walls were a nondescript shade of beige, adorned with a large whiteboard on one side. Once they were all seated, Angel trotted around and curled up on Cassie’s feet beneath the table.

Wade pulled out his notebook and pen. “So, what’s this new information?” he asked.

Cassie leaned forward in her seat and steepled her slender fingers. Then she explained how she’d remembered the coffee shop cameras and had gone there to view the footage. She described the distinctive shoes that the thief wore, commenting on the fact that they were familiar to her somehow, but she wasn’t certain why. Then she pulled out her cell phone and read them the partial license plate number.

When she finished, she sat back in her chair and looked at the two officers with satisfaction. “So, what’s next?”

Nobody spoke. It was then that she noticed the two faces across from her were staring at her, and neither one looked happy. A serious expression had replaced Hugo’s easy smile, and he opened his mouth to speak.

But before he uttered a word, Wade exploded at her. “What do you think you’re doing investigating on your own like this? You should have come to us the instant you remembered that coffee shop camera.”

Cassie sat up straight in her chair, brows crashing together. “I thought you would appreciate the help,” she said in an icy tone.

“We do,” Hugo said. “It’s just that—”

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