Page 98 of Midnight Secrets

Claire

Steam rose from the spoonful of stew as I lifted it to my mouth. Gently blowing on it, I decided I didn’t care if it was hot. A burned mouth was a small price to pay for Mina’s cooking.

Flavors burst over my tongue as my lips closed over the spoon. The heat bordered on uncomfortable, but didn’t burn. “Mina, this is delicious.”

She smiled from across the table. “Thanks.”

I dipped my spoon into my bowl for another bite but paused when the doorbell rang.

“This is small-town Alaska.” Ellis frowned. “How do you have so many visitors in the same day?”

I shrugged and scooted back.

“I’ll get it.” He waved me back down as he stood. “Eat.”

“Ellis, it’s my house. Whoever it is won’t know who you are.” I stood up, anyway, and trailed after him.

He didn’t answer and kept walking.

I rolled my eyes. He and Ozzie were so different, but also so much alike.

Flipping on the outside light, he glanced through the side window, then turned to me with a frown. “It’s a cop.”

“What?” My eyebrows dipped. “Answer it.” I pointed to the door.

He unlocked the door and swung it open. “Officer. Hello. What can we do for you?”

I glanced around Ellis, my frown deepening. “Officer Turner?”

The polite smile on his face wavered, and he frowned as his gaze traveled between me and Ellis. “Ms. Holmes, I’m sorry to bother you. I didn’t know you had company.”

“That’s okay. Is everything all right?” A horrible thought struck me. “Is Ozzie okay?”

“Oh, he’s fine as far as I know. I was looking for him, actually. I got a call from Chief Riggs that he wanted to talk to me, but he’s not at the station, and I can’t reach him on his phone.”

“Try his house,” Ellis said. “I’m his brother. I just talked to him. He said he had a lead on his case, so I’m surprised he’s not at the station. If he’s not at home, he’s probably out chasing down something. You might want to try dispatch then.”

Nodding as he backed up, Officer Turner nodded. “I’ll do that, thank you.” He lifted a hand. “Sorry to bother you.”

I smiled. “Not a problem. Have a good night.”

“You too.” Turning, he walked back toward his car.

Ellis stepped back to close the door, and I moved to the side, a small frown replacing my smile.

“What?” he asked as he saw my face.

I blinked and looked at him. “That was weird.”

“Why?”

“Because no one except Chief Riggs really knows we’re dating. Why would he come here?” I tipped a finger toward the door.

Ellis’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You’re sure he didn’t know?”

“I mean, it’s possible, but it would probably just be rumors. Would you show up at the home of someone you didn’t reallyknow looking for their supposed significant other when you haven’t even exhausted all the other places you could look for them?”

“Well, when you put it that way, no.” A scowl darkened his face. He dug into his pocket and produced his phone.

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