Page 65 of Midnight Secrets

“It was already made, and I needed the jolt.”

“Bad enough you can’t wait for a new pot to brew?” He raised an eyebrow as he unloaded the old filter and grounds, tossing them into the trash.

Considering I only slept a couple of hours both Thursday and Friday night, and the sleep I did get was fitful and packed with dreams of Claire, no. Waiting wasn’t an option if I didn’t want to drop where I stood.

In answer, I grunted and took another sip of the dreadful coffee. “Did you see the report on Hammond’s car?”

Riggs nodded. “Blood on the driver’s seat, but not Marie’s.”

“Yeah. I went back to the evidence we collected from their house and took their toothbrushes to the lab. Hopefully, one will be a match. Though I’m not sure it’ll tell us much except Warren was bleeding. It wasn’t enough to indicate he was mortally wounded.” The car had been thoroughly cleaned, but the blood had soaked through the seams in the leather and into the padding below.

“No. But maybe he cut himself with the knife he used to stab his wife.”

“Or he was stabbed, too, but was able to react and get away before the killer could deliver a fatal blow.” I wasn’t convinced Warren was innocent, but what Claire said Thursday night stuck with me. Why would he hide his car where it was likely to be found? There were so many places he could have taken it where it would stay hidden for decades.

One of the chief’s eyebrows quirked. “True.”

The yawn I suppressed earlier threatened again. I tried to hold it back but couldn’t this time. The coffee—good or bad—wasn’t helping. I needed a nap. That wouldn’t happen anytime soon, so I raised my mug and took another drink.

Riggs chuckled, setting his cup on the counter before opening the cupboard to take out the large tub of coffee. “Let me guess. Your lack of sleep has something to do with Claire Holmes?”

Startled, I lowered my mug and frowned. “How did you know?” My eyes widened as I realized how that sounded and what he probably thought. “Nothing’s going on. I’ve been clear with her that nothing can happen.”

Opening the coffee canister, Riggs replaced the filter and dumped several scoops into the machine. It was the kind that hooked up to a direct water supply, so he flipped the lid shut and hit start, then turned to me, crossing his arms as he pierced me with a candid look. “Other than finding Mrs. Hammond’s bodyand Mr. Hammond’s car, she hasn’t actually witnessed anything, correct?”

I frowned, unsure what he was getting at. “No.”

“That’s what I thought. I double-checked her alibi. She’s not a suspect. Not unless she’s some master criminal, adept at hiring assassins and hiding her tracks.”

My frown deepened, a low-level anger flaring to life in my chest. “You double-checked her alibi? Don’t you trust me to do my job?”

Riggs shrugged. “You’re new. And I didn’t vet you before you showed up; the state did. I know you have a stellar reputation with your previous department. They wouldn’t have hired you otherwise. But it’s still a new environment. New people and places. New procedures. I wanted to make sure you’ve settled in all right. So, I confirmed some of the details on the case.”

I crossed my arms and glared at my boss. “And have I passed muster?” If he said no, I would be on the phone to my superiors in Anchorage, requesting a transfer to a different detachment as soon as one opened. Working for someone who didn’t trust me and didn’t think me capable wasn’t something I would tolerate.

The chief’s lips flattened, and he shot me a “don’t be dumb” look. “It never hurts to have extra eyes on a case. And because I’ve independently confirmed she has an alibi, I can tell you to turn any further formal interaction with her over to me, leaving you free to take her to Parker’s Landing’s finest dinner establishment tonight.”

Confusion replaced some of the anger in my frown. Coffee sputtered from the machine as I stared at him in silence for a long moment. Finally, I found my voice. “What?”

“This case could drag on.” He picked up his coffee mug and turned on the faucet, rinsing it out. “We don’t exactly live in a bustling metropolis where the opportunities to meet people are around every corner. She didn’t witness anything and will neverhave to testify. From here on out, tell her to come to me if she uncovers anything about the Hammonds. Though I doubt she will. Not unless Warren Hammond contacts her.”

My thoughts went to the other elements of the case that seemingly involved Claire. “What about the break-in at her house? Someone thinks she knows something.” That meant she was more than just a minor player.

Riggs shrugged. “Maybe. Or maybe someone’s obsessed with her. In that case, I think it would be better if you stuck close, don’t you?”

I narrowed my eyes and studied him. “You don’t think the break-in was related to the Hammond case?”

“It’s coincidental, I know, but sometimes that’s all it is. I think it would behoove you to consider all the possibilities. Claire’s a beautiful woman, and she spends a lot of time out in the community alone.” He dried off his cup, then lifted the carafe, pausing the brew cycle, and filled the mug.

My brows dipped and creases formed on my forehead as I considered what he said. Had I dismissed the break-in, chalking it up as part of my case, too quickly? Could there be someone out there obsessed with Claire, as Chief Riggs said? He was right; I was new here. I didn’t know the people or the community. I didn’t have my ear to the ground the way I should. Not yet.

The glass carafe clacked on the hot plate as Riggs replaced it. “Think about it. But in any case, all communication about this case with Claire needs to go through me from now on. Whether you’re dating or not, she’s compromised your objectivity.”

My fierce frown returned.

He held up a hand. “I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. For one, it tells me you’re human. You’re a stellar detective, Oscar, and your record had me wondering what kind of man I was getting. I’m glad to see you have some faults. Though I’mnot sure falling for someone like Claire Holmes is a fault.” He smiled.

“I haven’t fallen for her.” My frown let up, but only slightly.

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