Page 49 of Forged in Steele

“We appreciate your help,” Bristol said as she herded Mary toward the door.

The moment the door closed, Bristol turned to Kelsey. “Do you really think the sketch will help?”

“We got a good drawing.” She held out her sketch pad. “I’ll shoot a few pictures of it, and you can distribute it.”

Bristol took the pad and stared at the woman’s unique face. Kelsey was right. If they widely distributed the sketch, they might have success in actually finding this suspect. A huge win for the team. But one big question remained.

Was this the woman who took Luna?

10

The unrelenting pounding on the conference room door as the team was starting to settle down for their morning update meeting had Jared racing across the room. Had to be a reporter and Jared was going to send them packing.

He pushed the door open to find an older couple, a large three-tier cart loaded with food between them. The air carried savory scents that had his mouth watering.

The man with gray hair and thick glasses shot out his hand. “Artie Steele and this is my wife, Eloise. Grandparents to Deputy Bristol Steele.” He shook Jared’s hand then released it, looked around Jared, and lifted the hand to wave. “Morning, Granddaughter.”

Bristol gave a slight wave in return, but grimaced and searched the space as if she wanted to melt under the conference room table. Their undercover assignment would begin after the update meeting ended, and she’d dressed the part. She had on a very feminine dress with frilly sleeves, and her hair hung around her shoulders instead of being pulled back. She sure didn’t look like a deputy, and maybe that made her more self-conscious today.

“We’ve brought breakfast for the team,” Eloise said.

Jared turned back to the woman who he put in her late seventies. She had short curly gray hair, but her ruby red glasses really caught his attention. She might be older, but there was nothing old-fashioned about her.

“I’m a former detective,” Artie said. “And I know you might not want to allow us in the room, but I promise if you do, you’ll be glad to have my wife’s home cooking. None better than what my Eloise makes.” He flashed a loving smile at his wife.

Okay. This was a new one for Jared. What did he do? Send them on their way? That would be rude after they’d gone to a lot of trouble to bring a meal here. Their kindness meant a lot to him, but what about information security? Could they protect it?

“We’ll just set up the food then leave and let you get down to work,” Artie said. “No intentions of trying to snoop or learn anything. Even if my old detective juices are flowing at the thought of it.” He chuckled, a pleasant laugh filled with joy.

Jared had an odd desire to trust this man and his wife. He’d heard so much about them from Bristol, he felt like he knew them, and he knew for certain that they were honest, God-fearing people.

“Let me check with the team,” he said before letting this couple sway him to comply without further thought. He let the door close softly. After it clicked into place, he turned to the group and explained. “The whiteboard closes, and we can cover the vital case information. We’ll just have to delay any conversations for the few minutes it takes for them to set up. What do you say?”

Bristol didn’t move. In fact, she looked like she was holding her breath. Maybe she was expecting one of them to say something to embarrass her. Or maybe she already was embarrassed. But why? Bringing a meal was a kind and loving gesture on her grandparents’ part.

“Looks like we’re in for a long day,” Adair said. “Fueling up would be good.”

Curious.Not the answer Jared expected at all from his straight-laced boss.

The others quickly voiced their agreement.

Bristol jumped to her feet. “I’ll close the whiteboards.”

She rushed to the boards as if she needed to do something to keep busy. She’d never really liked public attention. Maybe that was the reason for her unease.

Jared went to the door. “We very much appreciate your kindness and would welcome the meal.”

Eloise smiled, and Jared saw Bristol in the older woman’s smile, giving him a hint at what she might look like if he knew her in her seventies.

“Come on, Artie,” she said. “Get that cart rolling before the food gets colder.”

“Give a fella a chance,” he grumbled good-naturedly and started the cart rolling on squeaky wheels through the door.

Jared helped direct it toward the back wall that once held refreshments long ago annihilated by the team.

Bristol finished closing the doors and crossed the room to join them.

Her grandmother quickly squeezed Bristol’s hand. “I made all of your favorites. Raspberry scones. Hash brown casserole. Rosemary quiche.”

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