Page 10 of Hide Me Darling

There is going to be a carnival in town for an annual celebration along the waterfront in a week. I can’t remember ever going to a carnival, but it seems like something someone living a normal life would do. Even if I solve this investigation quickly, maybe I could do what Seanna suggested and actually spend some time living a normal life here. Taking the time to escape the city might be good for me.

Besides, the locals are sure to be there and it would be an easy place to accidentally allow myself to bump into them and get to know them. I can start creating a list of suspects as soon as I know people's names.

It still baffles me that the local law enforcement has no idea about these murders, yet the blogger always makes it seem like the bodies are left in plain sight. Do they murder them just to write a post about them and then dump the bodies? Are they cleaning up for someone else? Or is the whole town hiding this secret in order to make sure tourists don’t stop visiting?

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Two men enter the bakery dressed casually, but the weapons and badges around their hips make it obvious who they are. For a moment, I think about my own badge and weapon hidden in my car.

“Mornin’ Allegra,” one of them says in greeting. I estimate him to be in his late thirties, maybe early forties, with sandy blond hair and laugh lines creasing the skin around his eyes. The second man is a bit taller, around my age, with black hair and a physique that suggests he spends too much time at the gym. His tattooed muscles are on display in a way that I’m sure is eye candy for most of the female tourists—if they aren’t deterred by the perpetual frown that seems to be stuck on his face.

“Morning, Sheriff. Morning, Eli,” Allegra responds with a grin.

Eli’s frown deepens. “I’ve told you before, Ally. It’s Deputy while I’m on duty.”

She laughs, clearly unfazed. “Sure thing, Eli. How can I help you two this fine morning?”

I have to hold in a snort from the way Eli’s face twists while Allegra pretends not to notice.

The sheriff, who seems more relaxed than his companion, gives Allegra a warm smile. “Just grabbing our usual and checking in. Anything interesting happening in town?”

“Same old, same old,” Allegra says, but her eyes flicker towards me briefly. “Well, we do have a new resident,” she adds, nodding in my direction.

That smirk I was wearing suddenly vanishes.

The sheriff glances over and gives me a friendly nod. “Welcome to Amity Island. I’m Sheriff Daniel Brooks, and this is Deputy Eli Carson. If you need anything, feel free to reach out.”

“Thank you,” I reply with a smile. “I’m Taylor. Just moved into what I’ve been told is the old Baker house.”

“Ah, the Baker house,” Sheriff Brooks says, a strange look entering his eyes as he watches me carefully. “That’s a good spot. Quiet and close to the woods. You’ll like it.”

Deputy Carson gives me a curt nod, his expression still serious and his scowl deepening. “What made you come out this way?” His tone is as hard as his features, making me shake internally.

But I refuse to let that show. After all, I’m friendly Taylor who is looking for a fresh start, not Hydessa who is searching for a murderer or two.

“Needed a change in my life,” I say with a shrug. “Besides, it’s impossible to find a place that has a beach and trees within walking distance of each other without spending a fortune.”

Eli eyes me for a moment but the sheriff seems convinced.

Allegra hands them their coffee and a couple of pastries. “Here you go, boys. Stay safe out there.”

“Thanks, Allegra,” Sheriff Brooks says, taking the bag. “See you around, Taylor.”

With that, the two officers leave the bakery and Allegra turns back to me, her smile never faltering.

“Don’t mind Eli,” she says. “He’s a bit intense, but he means well. It’s why I tease him so much. Sheriff Brooks, on the other hand, is a sweetheart.”

“I gathered that,” I say, chuckling. “Thanks for the introduction.”

“Anytime, hun. And remember, if you need to know anything, just ask. Enjoy your coffee.”

As Allegra moves to help another customer, I take another sip of my warm drink.

I can already see that this little island is completely different from home. In the city, you are one among thousands of strangers who couldn’t care less about you. But here, everyone seems to know everyone else, so surely someone knows something about who is murdering people on the streets of Amity Island and getting away with it.

As I leave the bakery, the morning sun is warm on my skin. The air smells of salt and coffee, mingling with the distant scent of the sea.

The interactions from the bakery play on repeat in my mind as I look around at the mix of tourists and locals on the island. This investigation isn't going to be simple. This town has its secrets, I can already tell, but how deep and dark are they buried? How long will it take before I uncover them all?

My main focus is on finding the blogger and stopping the murders, but I have a strong feeling there is so much more to uncover along the way.

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