Page 16 of Riding Danger

I pulled onto the Salinger Farm and drove past the B&B and across to the Salinger Security building. Shiloh showed me where to park, but she was out of the car before I had a chance to get around and open the door for her.

Together we walked past the golf carts and across the field with picnic tables until we reached a huge wall with a solid iron gate. Shiloh scanned her card and I pushed the door open, allowing her to step ahead of me.

A number of people had already arrived. Jason was standing to the side talking to the man he’d introduced as Aidan a few days back. He was apparently a Navy SEAL and his eyes were narrowed on Skylar and her boyfriend who were arguing about Skylar’s clothes. Which was a damn sight more than what Shiloh was wearing, or the other woman whose name I didn’t know.

Shiloh walked up to Aidan. “Have you heard from Cat and Holden yet?”

He nodded, and Shi’s shoulders relaxed. “Cat’s team leader checked in just after midnight. All targets present and accounted for. They also found the rest of Holden’s team.”

“What were the other targets?” She sported a devious smile as she spoke to him.

Obviously, there was military speak. Aidan eyed Shiloh. “That’s classified.”

I tried not to eavesdrop on a conversation that was obvious Shiloh was not meant to be having, when the woman in the tightest booty shorts and sports bra combo stepped up tome. “Hi, I’m Tiffany Snow. Salinger Security receptionist and community gossip monger.”

“So you can cause trouble with your words and still have the best in the business around to protect you.”

“It really is a sweet gig.” She narrowed her eyes and I could tell that all the playfulness was just a show. “So, you’re the baby daddy.”

Wow. News travelled in this little town. “I am.”

“Why did you leave her?” She placed her hands on her hips. “Shiloh is not only a good woman, she is the best woman I know. She doesn’t deserve some asshole rockstar walking out on her.”

It was hard not to like Tiffany. I liked that she stood there fearless as she defended her friend. She was confident no harm would come to her. Only partly because she was surrounded by people who would protect her with everything they had.

I never had a chance to answer because another man, older with dark hair sprinkled with grey, and dark eyes, walked out.

“Good morning, everyone. For the one person who doesn’t know me, I’m Oliver Salinger.” He stood at the entrance to the obstacle course. “I’m not in the best mood. Some cock-blocking cop called my wife out of bed in the middle of the night. Shiloh, for that little stunt, my money’s on Jason today.”

Who knew what that was about.

Shiloh rolled her eyes. “Technically I didn’t call her but I can’t help it if I had something that interested your wife more than you in the middle of the night.”

He rolled his eyes, then continued to give us instructions including warning Aidan about helping people. And then he got us all to the starting line. Once his whistle sounded, we were off and we all raced to the first set of ropes.

The course was not easy. When they said military grade, I thought they were joking. I also learned the difference experience could make. Hilton and I brought up the rear, thoughhe was quite a distance behind me. Meanwhile Tiffany was a little ahead and Skylar was quite a bit in front. I couldn’t see where Shi and Jason were, but I could see that Aidan had already rounded the corner.

I tried not to focus on anyone and just finish the damn course.

When I got to the end, I noted that Aidan had won by a landslide. Then came Shiloh, and a second later was Jason. Skylar was about two minutes behind them with Tiffany and I almost neck and neck. Hilton was last, coming in almost six minutes after Aidan. For some reason Oliver felt the need to stress that while Skylar only glared at him.

Once we were all rested, Hilton threw a tantrum. And the look on Skylar’s face told us she knew it was coming. He’d gone on about how she could’ve warned him about how difficult the course was and how she wanted him to look bad in front of her friends.

Aidan and Jason exchanged a look but neither intervened. It took a while for everyone to start leaving but as they did, Shiloh walked over to me. “Maggie is on pick up duty this afternoon. We share pick up and drop off since we both have kids.”

“Alright.” I knew she was trying to let me know that it was not personal. “What do you need?”

“I can’t sleep now.” She walked over to my car. “We messed with the shifts and I need to get back to day shift tomorrow. So I need to sleep tonight. Which means no naps now. Keep me entertained.”

“That I can do.”

7

THE SMALL TOWN KILLER

Last night had gone exactly as I planned. I knew bringing the body from the city to Marina De Ferrier would cause some decomposition but I had my car valeted right after to mitigate the impact of that. Beside getting rid of that awful smell, I also needed to ensure any forensic evidence left behind was washed away.

Of course, I also needed to make sure I didn’t leave any forensic evidence on the body. Which was why I had wrapped it in a trash bag that I had burned immediately. That was one of the benefits of watching so many police procedural shows; they reminded you to get rid of all evidence. And if watched properly, there were even ways on how to do it correctly.

---