Page 69 of Obsession

“I remember a lot about you,” he said, brushing a strand of coppery hair from her face.

She leaned into his touch. Behind them, a horn blew and he dropped his hand and looked in his rearview mirror. Nate. A second later the sheriff tapped on Emma’s window.

“Give me the key, and I’ll open the gate,” Nate said.

From the expression on Nate’s face, Sam was in for some ribbing from the sheriff.

36

Emma zipped her uniform jacket against the cold wind that had come up. The day had passed quickly, and with the sun setting, temperatures would soon dip into the low forties. She hadn’t meant to work past four thirty, but it had taken longer to excavate the last few inches of the pit than she’d expected.

“Ready?” Sam asked as he placed the last board over the hole.

She nodded and started the GPR machine, slowly pushing it across the planks, all the while watching the screen. “I believe we’ve hit rock bottom,” she said when the screen showed smooth lines. Emma rolled the machine onto the grass and let Sam view the image as well.

“I think you’re right,” he agreed, his voice flat.

Emma knew how he felt. She’d hoped they would find more evidence too, but whoever took the skeletal remains had left only a small bone and the class ring behind.

“If you’re ready, I’ll take you home,” Sam said.

“Did Brooke say when she would get here?” she asked. Brooke had texted Sam earlier that it was taking longer to get the report than she’d expected.

“She hoped to be here by now. Let me check and see where she is,” he said. When she didn’t answer, he said, “I’ll contact her on the radio when we get to the SUV.”

There was nothing more to do at the site, and she nodded. “Thanks for staying.”

“No problem. What time did your dad say he was coming?”

Emma caught her breath and then groaned. “Around six. I totally forgot.”

“Then we better get a move on. I’ll drop you off and then go home and change and come back.”

That sounded like a plan. “Dad has a key, and I’ll text him to go on in if he gets there before I do,” she said.

Sam pushed the GPR machine as they walked toward the tractor shed. After he secured it, the north wind sent them hurrying to his vehicle. “I won’t complain about the heat this summer,” Emma said as he held the door open for her.

“Yes, you will, or at least about the humidity,” he said, laughing. Once he slid behind the wheel, he radioed Brooke.

“Sorry, but I’m still forty minutes out,” she said. “There’s no need for you to hang around at Mount Locust. I can bring the report by Emma’s apartment on my way home.”

“That’ll work,” Sam said, looking over at her. “Or do you have a problem with that?”

“Dad will be there.”

“He doesn’t have to know what Brooke is dropping off, but I think it’s a mistake not to let him look it over. He might remember something that could help with the investigation.”

Something inside her resisted. What if one of them let slip that they’d found the ring?

“Besides, he already knows we’re getting the report,” Sam said gently.

Dad would probably ask about it, anyway. “I just don’t want him to know it may have been Ryan’s body in the grave. Not until we know for certain.”

“I don’t either,” Sam said. “Are you still taking the little cat home with you?”

Emma had forgotten she’d planned to do that. She scanned the area, looking for the gray tabby. “I don’t see her,” she said.

“Maybe she’s at the visitor center.”

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