Page 59 of Entangled

I quickly type out a reply that I’ll be there come hell or high water, knowing what a huge deal it is and that people will expect to see me with my guys at such big events. Especially considering I invested a sizable chunk of my inheritance when we came back from Europe with the idea for the club and am the owner of twenty-five percent of it. I press send just as a message from Jace comes through.

I tap on his message, fighting with everything in me against the smile trying to break free on my face.

Jace: Whatcha doing, Blondie?

I stare at the message for a minute, losing the battle against the twitch of my lips and type out a reply.

El: Just woke up. About to get ready and go see the sheriff.

The three little dots start and stop a few times before his message comes through.

Jace: Best of luck with that. Come to the beach after? The spot where we had the bonfire.

El: Will there be any ex-girlfriends around this time?

Jace: No ex-flings in sight.

El: Shame. Guess I’ll have to think about it then.

Jace: Mhm. Watch your step as you leave.

I quickly jump from the bed and walk to the front door, pulling it open to see a thermos on the front porch mat waiting to greet me. The clever little shit brought me back coffee at some point so I didn’t have to drink my instant one. I reach down and grab the thermos from the mat, staring at it for a moment as my heart gives a little twinge of happiness before closing the door. Popping the top on the thermos, I take a sip as I walk back to the bedroom that I’ve now successfully moved my suitcase into with a full-fledged grin on my face. Knowing that I’m going to the beach after seeing the sheriff today… and not just because he brought me coffee.

Fucking Jace Dawson.

***

I walk through the front door of the sheriff’s station, scanning the space and seeing an elderly woman sitting at the reception desk in front of three cubicle-like desks with a glassed-in office behind them. There’re a couple police officers at the desks who raise their heads at my entrance, giving me a curious glance and I try to give them my best harmless smile. Apparently, I’m not all that convincing though, if the way their eyes narrow in suspicion is any indication.

Wonderful.

I walk up to the elderly receptionist and try again, forcing my smile even wider and reminding myself I need answers from these people.

“Hello.”

Her sharp eyes snap to mine from behind a pair of reading glasses and narrow. “How can I help you?”

So much for that.

I drop the fake smile from my face. “I was wondering if I could speak to the sheriff or maybe you can help me?”

“The sheriff is a very busy woman, young lady. What is it you need?”

“I need a police file from about eighteen years ago.”

“Well you can’t just walk in and get one of those.” She draws herself up, shoulders stiffening under a sweater that has no business being worn in this heat. “You would either need a court order or have to be a family member. Are you a reporter?”

“No.” I shake my head under her disapproving gaze, barely resisting the urge to roll my eyes. “I’m a family member.”

“What file are you looking for?”

“It would be for—”

“Eleanor?”

The soft voice comes from behind me and I turn, seeing who I’m betting is the sheriff coming to a stop just inside the door. She has the same blue eyes as Tiff, and her hair is similar but more coppery in color and pulled back into a tight bun on top of her head. Her build is slighter than I expected and she’s actually very pretty in a classical kind of way. But there’s something about her that pulls at me, taunting me like puzzle pieces I can’t quite make fit.

“Yeah.” I shake off the weird sense and take a step toward her, trying for a smile again. “Are you Tiff’s mom?”

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