Page 28 of Crossing Lines

“I remember. Those were good memories.”

“Yeah, too bad not all of the memories are good.” Bridget’s smile faded, and Jo wondered if maybe she should let Bridget in on the case sooner rather than later.

* * *

On the way to Jo’s, Sam cruised by the place in the woods where Jesse and his gang partied. No one was there. Maybe Kirsten’s murder had spooked them. That was good, except if they were there, it would have been a convenient way to see how many had red hair.

Lucy greeted him at the door, and his heart swelled at the exuberant greeting.

“Hi. Come in.” Jo opened the door wide and stood back. Did she seem hesitant? Not as happy to see him as usual? Sam couldn’t tell. He was probably reading too much into it, and besides, why would she be mad at him? She was the one who had been secretive. But Mick had been right that Jo’s personal business was none of his concern, and he couldn’t fault her for not confiding in him right away.

“This is my sister, Bridget.” She looked like Jo, the hazel eyes and the same smile. But she was shorter, and her hair was a dark auburn, just as curly but shorter, forming a halo around her head. Her handshake was firm and her smile warm.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Sam said.

“You too. Jo says nice things, so you must be a good boss.”

Sam smiled and assessed her demeanor. She seemed a bit hesitant, wary. She’d had a rough time, and he knew Jo was right about not approaching her to identify Thorne as the man she’d seen Amber leave with. Not now, at least.

He pushed the thought away as Jo appeared at his side with a Moosenose beer. She must have made a special trip for him, because she didn’t drink it. A peace offering, perhaps?

“He’s okay most of the time,” Jo teased.

Sam took the beer over to the fish tank.

“How is Finn?” He peered in to see the fish swimming around near the little ceramic bridge. His orange-gold fins shimmered in the light.

“Good. Still swimming around. He looks happy, but it’s kind of hard to tell.”

“How was Kevin?” Sam asked as he took a flake of food out and teased it over the top of the water.

“Big news: he might be waking up.”

Sam jerked his attention to Jo. “Really?”

“His foot jerked. Not just a twitch, a big jerk. The doctor came in and said it could be a good sign. Of course, he didn’t say anything for sure, but you know how they are.”

“Don’t want to get false hopes up.” Sam looked back into the tank. Finn was at the top, his lips just below the flake. He let it go, and the fish inhaled it then swam to the corner and burped out little pieces of flake.

“Yeah. We can be hopeful, though, right, Lucy?” Jo patted the dog then popped open her own beer. Bridget sipped her water.

“Anything new at the station?” Jo sat in one of the overstuffed chairs and gestured to the other for Sam.

Sam sat. Bridget was perched on the fireplace hearth, and Lucy plopped down in front of it, just as at home here as she was at Sam’s.

“The mayor came by with the warrant for the email, and Marnie Wilson stopped in with some strange question about zoning exceptions.”

“Why would she ask about that? Is she starting a business?” The suspicion in Jo’s eyes belied her distrust in Marnie.

“She was vague.”

“Big surprise there.” Jo turned to Bridget. “She’s running for mayor.” As if that explained it all.

As they made small talk, Jo seemed completely at ease, further proving Sam’s suspicions that the rift between them was all in his imagination. The conversation was a little cautious because Sam didn’t want to mention any specifics about the case with Bridget around, but otherwise it appeared things had gone back to normal between them.

Chapter Nineteen

The next day, Sam and Jo were in his office, staring at the corkboard. Lucy had snagged the toy and was curled up in the sun under the window with it tucked close to her side.

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