Page 15 of Cold Light of Day

She tried to keep her serious expression, but amusement danced in her eyes. “Did you think I would stand you up?”

“The thought crossed my mind. After all, Shadow Gap keeps you busy,” he said. “Then again, this isyourboat.”

She hopped onto the deck, lugging a large duffel with her, then gently lowered it.

“It’s a nice boat, by the way.”

“Dad got a good deal on it. It was a fixer-upper, and he threw his energy into it before...well...that doesn’t matter. Anyway, thank you for the compliment and for going with me today. The official police department boat motor has an issue, so theLong Goneit is.” She turned her attention to unzipping the duffel, then fished around inside and retrieved sunglasses, which she placed on top of her head.

And that gave him another chance to look at her irises. She was probably accustomed to people staring, but gawking was rude. He found his jacket that he’d removed when he worked up a sweat and donned it again. The wind and rain would be colder once they got out on the water.

While zipping her jacket, she said, “The boat was originally named after my mom—theJessie Lynn, but she died.” Frowning, she shook her head and gave him the feeling she hadn’t meant to share that much.

“I’m sorry.” But now he knew why it was calledLong Gone. He wouldn’t press her for more about her mother, but he wantedto know more about this dive. “You never said why you thought Sarah was lying.”

“I didn’t say I thought she was lying.”

“But you suspect she was.”

Autumn shrugged, apparently not wanting to commit.

“I get it. I’m not working for you. And yet, I’m diving with you today.” This could have fallen to the Coast Guard, at least, but she had her reasons for looking into things herself, and he didn’t blame her.

She smiled. “And I appreciate your assistance. I need to check out her statement, that’s all.”

The chief released the mooring, moved to the helm, then started up the boat. She slipped her sunglasses onto her face, then skillfully maneuvered out of the small marina and the wake zone before accelerating into the Goldrock River a short distance, until it spilled into the Lewis Inlet. He stood next to her as they headed down the Lewis Inlet to where it connected with the Chilkoot, one of the many intracoastal channels of the Inside Passage. Mountain ranges and steep cliffs lined the waterways on either side, creating the fjord.

“I hope we’ll be done before the storms move in,” she shouted. “With mudslide warnings already in place, we sure don’t need more rain.”

The boat bounced over the waves, which had more chop to them than an hour earlier. Grier took a seat and watched the scenery, which included Chief Long, her curly hair whipping behind her despite the windscreen. He trusted she knew where she was headed and simply enjoyed the ride. She finally slowed the boat as they neared the location where he’d rescued Sarah.

He stood and moved next to her as she circled the boat around.

“I think this is about it. I’ll drop anchor. And we can gear up and get to it.”

“Aye, aye, captain. I’ll set up the dive line to be safe.” Visibilitycould be an issue, as could the current. He wanted to ask her about her diving experience. Her diving buddies. And why she’d asked him to go with her today. Instead, he said, “You realize I pulled her up right above where the SSTatesank. It’s an old Yukon gold rush shipwreck.”

The chief’s eyes widened as if she didn’t know.

“What? You’re a diver and you haven’t been shipwreck diving?”

“Not here, no.”

“We’ll have to remedy that one day.”

“Today is not the day. Let’s stay on mission.”

“Where then?”

“What do you mean?”

“Where have you been diving if not here?”

She froze and stared right through him. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Just making conversation, Chief. You don’t have to tell me.”

“One day, Grier. I’ll tell you one day.”

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