Page 86 of Tough as Steele

“Thanks for doing that so quickly.” Londyn crossed that lead off the board.

Bristol’s phone rumbled on the table, and she picked it up. “Text from Easton. AR-15 found in Jessica’s trunk is the weapon used to kill Gaskin and fire bullets at Nate and Londyn at Mimi’s house. They also lifted Wigg’s prints from the gun.”

“So we have the murder weapon,” Nate said, “and Wigg is most likely our shooter.”

“If he left the rifle, does this mean he’s done killing?” Iris asked, hope alive in her eyes as she started to gather the coffee cups.

“Could be,” Nate said. “Or the shooter just changed weapons.”

“Either way, I think we can all agree that this shooter is up to something devious.” Iris grabbed Nate’s cup and peered at him like he was under a microscope. “Take care now, you hear?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She looked at the others. “And that goes for the rest of you. I know you want to find Mimi, but your lives are important too.”

“We’ll be fine, Mom.” Peyton gave her mother a tight smile. “We’ll remember everything Dad and Grandad taught us.”

“Not to mention those few hours we spent in law enforcement training.” Teagan grinned.

Nate looked around at the women, and the resolve in their eyes put a hitch in his heart for all they’d done and were risking for Mimi. He stood. “I haven’t thanked you all for your help. Once she’s safely home, you can be sure I’ll tell her about everything you did for her. And I’ll also make sure she signs that security contract with your company.”

Londyn frowned when he expected her to be glad. “That’s not the main reason why we’re doing this.”

“I know. But after seeing how much of your heart and soul you put into Steele Guardians, I can tell Mimi with assurance that your company is the best of the best, and you’ll make sure your team does their job well.”

Londyn smiled her thanks, and their focus on each other tightened. Everything and everyone else in the room disappeared. Gone. Just like that. For a moment he could envision a life with this woman. Waking up next to this woman every day. Having a family with this woman.

Gene cleared his throat, and Nate forced his gaze away.

“We appreciate your support.” He eyed Nate as if Nate had two heads.

Who knows. Maybe he did. His normal brain wouldn’t be thinking that way. Not in a professional meeting. Not while on an investigation. And especially not after knowing a woman for approximately twenty-six hours. If this happened in little over a day, what would happen if they were together for a week?

All eyes were on Londyn and Nate, and heat rushed up Londyn’s neck as she thought about what to say. But whatcouldshe say? Should she admit that she not only wanted to be there for him now to take some of the stress from his plate, but to be there for him long-term, as she knew he would be for her? The two of them had developed a rhythm similar to what she had with her family. He would make a great addition to the group staring at her.

Whoa. Slow down your thinking.

She felt her mouth dropping open, but, thank goodness her phone rang. She grabbed it like a lifeline under the knowing looks of her sisters and cousins and the watchful stare of her father. Seeing a video call from Mackenzie on the screen, Londyn answered and connected the call to their large TV so everyone could see her.

“We missed you, Mac,” Londyn said. “Where are you?”

“Sorry I didn’t show up for the meeting, but I’ve got a hot lead for you.” Mackenzie’s words tumbled out, her sense of urgency palpable in her tone and the fire in her eyes. “I’m at Rooster Rock State Park, and you need to head out here now. A woman’s body was found. I think it’s Jessica Oates.”

Londyn shared a shocked look with Nate before focusing back on the screen. “How do you know?”

Mackenzie gathered her shoulder-length blond hair and twisted it up into a clip in the back. “When you put out the alert on her, I called my contact at OSP, made sure he’d seen it, and told him I had an interest in finding Jessica.”

Londyn looked at Nate again. “Mackenzie was a former Oregon State Police investigator.”

He nodded but kept his eyes on Mackenzie. “And this guy knew something about Jessica?”

“Not at that time, but he called me about the body. She doesn’t have any ID, but she looks like Jessica. ME says she’s been dead around four hours, and they’d like you to ID her.”

Londyn imagined viewing the deceased woman and gripped the edge of the table for support. “At the park or morgue?”

“Park, if you can get over here right away.”

Londyn didn’t wait for Nate’s affirmation. “Of course we can. Will you stay there and run interference for us with the OSP investigator?”

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