Page 14 of One Final Target

After a couple of seconds, Jodie typed back,Yeah, I do.

Feeling more alert and refreshed after her ocean time, she dressed in shorts and a tank top, left home around noon, and headed for the Seal Beach pier. It had the distinction of being the second-longest wooden pier in California. Here, the weather was warm and springlike, unlike the cold and snow she’d experienced the day before in the mountains.

She’d just reached the street when her cell phone rang. A 909number—San Bernardino. One of the investigators? she wondered as she answered the call.

“Hello?”

“Jodie, hello, it’s Sam.”

Gresham.

Surprise and hope sparked through Jodie—was there a breakthrough already?

“Sam. You have news?”

“Uh, no, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to give you a false impression. I just wondered how you were holding up today.”

Spirits crashing, she took a second before answering. The department shrink asked the same question all the time, and Jodie often thought he doubted she was okay and he wanted to dig down into her feelings. But Sam wasn’t the shrink.

“I’m fine. I read news online. The deputy’s prognosis seems good.”

“Yes. The bullet did damage but didn’t hit anything vital.”

Hope started to rise again in her chest. “Is he able to describe the suspect?”

“He’s not talking yet. Smiley and I will speak to him as soon as he’s ready.”

“How are you doing? Did you get your Jeep squared away?”

“It’s in the shop. Might be a total loss. Insurance will cover it.”

“Sorry.” Jodie looked both ways before crossing the street.

“It’s just a car. I thought I’d call and check up on you. Kind of the result of having a mom who’s a nurse. She always checks up, and I guess it rubbed off. I’ve already spoken to Detective Smiley about yesterday and he agrees this is personal. This case is no longer cold. Can you tell me more about Jonah Bennett?”

The question threw Jodie and she stopped on the sidewalk.“Jonah? Like I said, he’s a friend of the family. Kind of an uncle to me. Why do you ask?”

“You mentioned his name when I asked you about who knew you were going to the mountains.”

“Because he’s pushing the memorial.”

“You’re not on board with a memorial?”

“I’m not. Not now. Not until whoever killed my team has assumed room temperature.” Her tone was sharper than she intended, and she hoped Gresham wouldn’t notice. But he did.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“And I didn’t mean to snap at you. Jonah is like family. I’ve known him practically my whole life. Him, my uncle Mike, and Gus—they are lifelong buds.”

The line went quiet for a bit and Jodie took a deep breath, centering her thoughts on the here and now, not the day before or three months ago. Sam’s calm voice helped bring her back to a level place.

“You can snap at me whenever you want. Be real, Jodie. My shrink tells me it’s the only way to heal.”

“Thanks. Sometimes...” Her voice trailed off as she became somewhat guarded. True, she felt a connection with Sam, thought he understood her, but she’d only just met him. How many doors should she let him open?

“Sometimes what?”

“I think you understand my loss more than anyone else. Thank you, Sam, for your help.”

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