Page 31 of Crossing Lines

“I was just getting some cream horns for my brother. He loves those.” Beryl blurted out an explanation, though neither of them had asked. Jo remained silent, taking the opportunity to watch the body language between Beryl and Sam. She still wasn’t sure exactly what their relationship was, and since Beryl had given them the golf shoes that had put her husband in jail, she figured it might be a good idea to figure it out. She wanted to know if she could trust Sam’s instincts when it came to Beryl.

Beryl stepped closer to Sam and lowered her voice. “Is there anything more on Lucas getting out of the charges?”

Sam glanced at Jo, who was chewing the small piece of cinnamon bun she’d broken off.

“Your uncle seems to be charging full force ahead. He claims one of our pieces of evidence is tainted.”

Beryl chewed her bottom lip. She looked nervous, not flirty. Sam didn’t seem to be conspiring with her. He was acting more like he was suspicious of her.

“Which evidence is that?” Beryl asked.

“The golf shoes.” Sam paused a beat as if waiting for her to say something about them. “So if you know anything strange about them, now would be a good time to speak up.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. They were in his closet, and I know he used to wear them golfing. He used to golf all the time with Robert.”

Sam nodded, giving her a chance to say more. She didn’t. “How is Robert?”

“He’s doing much better. Probably be back to work soon.” Beryl glanced at the shop. “Which reminds me, I better get those cream horns.”

“Of course. Have a nice day,” Sam said.

“You too.” Beryl smiled up at Sam, then her gaze flicked to Jo. She nodded then turned and went into the store.

Jo shoved another piece of cinnamon bun into her mouth and got into the Tahoe. Lucy poked her head between the seats, nose twitching.

“Yes, I got you something too.” Jo pulled a treat out of the bag, and Lucy’s tail thumped as she happily crunched it down then stared at the bag longingly.

Sam started the car then looked into the café, where Beryl was standing at the counter. “She seemed kind of nervous about those shoes, don’t you think?”

“You noticed too?” Jo offered him a piece of cinnamon bun, and he took it absent-mindedly and popped it into his mouth.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”

“I thought maybe you weren’t exactly looking at her with a cop’s scrutiny.”

“Why?”

“You two seem friendly.” Jo looked into the bag to avoid his gaze.

“Seriously? I don’t know why. I have no interest there.”

“I think she might.”

Sam frowned and put the car in gear. “Not happening.”

Jo gave Lucy another treat and broke off more of the cinnamon bun. “What do you think Bascomb has on the shoes?”

“No idea. Beryl did bring those shoes to the station, which is an oddity. Normally the evidence is procured from the scene or the person’s residence.”

“So you think he’s going to challenge how you came by that evidence?” Had Beryl told the truth about finding them in her husband’s closet? Beryl might have seen the crime scene photos with the small holes and the odd pattern in the tops the victims were buried in and knew her husband golfed, so maybe that wasn’t so far-fetched. Then again, they had questioned her a few times and had asked her to come forth with any evidence against him, so it wasn’t entirely suspicious that she brought the shoes to them. They’d asked her to.

Below the dashboard, the dispatch system crackled to life.

“Got new info. You reachable?” Reese’s voice came amidst static.

Sam picked up the mic. “Yeah.”

“Ten-four.”

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