Page 96 of Building What's Meant to Be

As she disappears, time seems to stop abruptly. I’m losing her, but the details and clues of the case pile up then swiftly come into focus, leading me to the logical conclusion. In the flash of an instant, I link the pieces together—Stoll’s connection,Puma’s involvement, and the Kraven brother’s intentions. It all becomes clear as if by her leaving, I made mental room to solve this case.

However, I don’t want to let her go. I can’t.

I hurry after Tinsley.

Aggie pops out of the bookstore and points at the car across the street. “Is that part of Operation Pierate?”

“Please protect the asset,” I say, gesturing upstairs while scanning for Tinsley.

“Copy that,” Aggie says.

Tinsley stands by the curb on the corner and looks up and down the street. The rain still comes down in sheets. The sinister red taillights of the Lamborghini idling in front of the Starlight drum up my adrenaline. She runs in that direction. I chase after her but don’t want to holler her name and give away her location to Puma.

She stops short by the Lamborghini and then darts in the opposite direction before disappearing into the boutique.

I breathe a sigh of relief, but then a figure dressed in black gets out of the vehicle and follows her inside. My pulse vibrates in my ears as the man who stands a head shorter than me whips around when I enter the shop.

“What brings you here, Harold?” I ask.

His expression falters then he regains his mask of cool confidence. “Harold? Don’t you know who I am? I’m Puma Palmer.”

Standing behind the counter, Louella Belle’s eyes bulge. A trail of wet footprints leads to her. No doubt, Tinsley hides back there.

“The name Puma means nothing here,” I grind out, wanting to keep his attention on me and not either of the women.

“What’s your name?” he asks.

“Federal Agent Fuller.”

He snorts a laugh. “Federal Agent? I’ve been hearing that a lot lately. My fan club is growing by the day.”

“I am no fan of yours. One more time, what business do you have here?”

“Just came looking for something that’s mine.”

“Unless you want to buy some Designed to Last swag, I don’t think you’ll find anything like that here.”

“No, I think I will. I’m looking for Tinsley Humber. Tall, blonde, beautiful. She’d stick out in a place like this.”

“She is not yours,” I growl.

“Ah, then you know her?”

My patience is about as thin as a cat’s whisker as he looks me over with barely veiled hostility.

He steps closer to me. “Wait a second, you questioned me in LA. I already told you everything I know.” He simpers a laugh.

“You told me everything you knew at the time. What new information do you have, Harold?”

“I hoped to find Tinsley first because there is someone else who’s looking for her. Someone who thinks she knows more than she should. More than is good for her. I just want to make sure that’s not true.”

“Are you making a threat?” I lift my jacket slightly to reveal my sidearm.

He holds up his hands. “No, sir. Not at all.”

“If you know what’s good for you, never step foot in this town again.”

“Who’s going to keep me out? Are you the mayor?” Harold laughs. “No, the mayor of this place sold you out.” He spins in a circle. “Soon, all of this will be—” He puffs his hands to indicate...a doughnut? A cloud? An explosion.

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