Page 299 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Working on a Saturday?” he asked.

“Putting in a few hours.” She pushed her shades up and studied him. “Long time no see.”

“I’ve been around. You’re the one who disappeared.”

“Honeymoon.”

“Your husband is a lucky man,” he said.

“I keep telling him so.” She grinned.

“You back here for a reason?”

“Following up on leads.”

“Anything I can help with?”

“I hope so.” She leaned back against her car. “We got a printout of park employees and volunteers, but I’d like more information about their personalities and habits.”

“Why don’t we sit down and talk over suspects?”

“I was going to head home soon, but Ty texted that he’s working late, so I could hang around a while.”

“Did you bring that list? We can go over it. She pulled it up on her phone. “What do you know about Jerry in maintenance.”

“From what I heard he’s a quiet guy. Mostly keeps to himself.”

“And Austin Crowley?”

“A little too self-assured but works hard.”

She went down the list until they’d gone over each person on it. “While I have you here, can you answer a question about your mother’s gala?”

“What about it?”

“Are invitations issued based on donations?”

“I don’t believe so, no.”

“Oh.”

“Do you attend those galas?”

“That is one commitment, I haven’t found a way to escape. At least not yet.”

“The price of being a politician’s only son, I suppose?”

“Exactly.”

“Thanks for answering my questions.” Jamie glanced at her watch. “I’d better get going.”

He walked her to her sedan. “Okay. You take care now.”

After waiting for her to pull out of the drive, Pete climbed into his truck and followed at a safe distance. He had to make sure she didn’t realize she was being tailed.

When she turned down her long driveway, he pulled off onto the side of the road, grabbed his binoculars, and proceeded on foot. He would lose the element of surprise if he drove in. When he reached the house, he watched through the windows. Most of the curtains were open. A luxury afforded to those who had the cover of woods to protect them from prying eyes, but tonight was different. Tonight, he was here to make sure she made it back to his place in time for their date. They would spend one decadent week together. They couldn’t stay forever. A week was the perfect amount of time.

Wade stoppedat a diner on the way back to his place. There was no way the establishment could be mistaken as romantic in any way, shape, or form. Bells jangled over the door when he opened it, and he held it until Emily was inside. They found a seat in a corner booth, and the server brought them laminated menus and took their drink orders.

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