Page 63 of Silent Ridge

I re-holster my .45 and show her my badge. “I’m Detective Carpenter. Sheriff’s Office. My partner is at the back of the business, so I’m going to let her in. You stay here so she doesn’t do anything.” I’ve been in the shop once, so I know the way to the back door.

“You mean like you just did?” Jess asks. She’s recovered fast or she’s just a smartass.

“Yeah. I thought that was a real gun.” I’m embarrassed but I would have been even more so if I’d shot her.

I bring Ronnie through after having her holster her weapon. I don’t tell her I almost shot Dan’s helper. I introduce Ronnie as a detective. It’s easier than giving her whole title and having the person think Ronnie is a rent-a-cop.

“You scared me to death,” Jess says. Her hand is on her chest. She’s not scared. She’s being a drama queen.

She’s Native American. She’s seventeen, a high school senior, and beautiful. She and Ronnie will get along just fine.

“Jess, I called and got the answering machine. Dan isn’t answering his phone, either,” I tell her.

“You’rethatMegan Carpenter. Dan’s girlfriend. He’s told me stories about you.”

She seems to be in awe, so I don’t correct her about the girlfriend comment.

“I need to find Dan. Do you know where he is?”

She looks up and around like Dan might be on the ceiling. “He’s not here.”

I can see that. The back of the store is one room with a long workbench but there are two doors. An entry door and a wider delivery door.

“Do you know how to get in touch with him?”

“He’s not at home?” she asks.

I want to slap her, but I don’t. “Jess, I really need to find Dan. Do you have any idea where he is or how I can reach him?”

She shakes her head. I feel my hand making a fist.

“What would you do if there was an emergency? Who do you contact?” I ask almost calmly.

“I’d call the sheriff. But you’re already here.”

I look at Ronnie for help but she’s got her hand over her mouth, hiding a grin.

I go to yes-and-no questions. “Has he been here this morning?” It doesn’t work.

“He was here yesterday. He left me some instructions for today. All I do is run the register and take phone calls.”

She’s not doing very well at taking phone calls. I wonder if I was that dense at seventeen. I decide I wasn’t. Not even when I was six. I didn’t have a chance to make a mistake. It might have cost a life. Like just now when I almost shot her. And I may yet.

I let Ronnie take over the questioning. Jess may still be seeing the bore of my .45 in her mind. Ronnie is less threatening.

“You can call me Ronnie,” she says, and gives Jess’s hand a shake. Ronnie’s been working on her grip. My idea. Her handshake used to be like water running through your hand. She’s up to a Nerf ball.

“Is Dan coming in to the shop today?” Ronnie asks.

“He was supposed to be here when I opened. I have a key just in case he runs late.”

“And what time did you open?” Ronnie asks.

“Six thirty. Well, six forty-five or so. The key wasn’t where he usually leaves it and I had to hunt around. He’s always here before me, but I think he left me a note last night telling me what to do this morning.”

“Can we see the note?” Ronnie asks.

Jess goes behind the counter and retrieves a piece of notebook paper. She hands it to Ronnie. She’s probably still pissed at me for putting a gun in her face.

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