And it wasn’t for Clark’s lack of trying either. He’d done everything he could to find answers. To get justice for Julie. He hadn’t been able to. What Clark had done was light a fire in me to become a cop. He’d encouraged me every step of the way. “Take that anger and turn it into something productive,” he’d said. So, I had.
I shook myself from the memories pressing down on me and pushed from the chair. “I have some paperwork to wrap up, but let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
Clark jerked up his chin as I headed out. “Will do.”
Pushing open the door to my office, I blew out a long breath. The ghosts were going to be running rampant today. I rounded my desk and sank into the chair. I punched a few keys on my keyboard to bring my computer to life, then just stared at the home screen, unable to force myself to descend into the dull world of police reports.
My phone buzzed on the desk, sending vibrations through the wood. I snatched it up.
Caitlin:Hey you. Want to get dinner tonight?
Guilt flared in my gut, but I tamped it down. Thinking about Julie didn’t mean I cared any less for Caitlin. Didn’t mean that I wouldn’t be able toloveCaitlin one day. I just wasn’t there yet.
I typed out a reply.
Me:I’d love to. Pick you up at 6?
Moments later, my phone buzzed again.
Caitlin:I’ll be waiting. ;-)
I turned back to the boring-as-hell police reports. At least those didn’t make me feel like an asshole.
* * *
I tooka pull on my beer as Caitlin gazed at me from across the table, her light brown hair curled to frame her heart-shaped face, her makeup perfect. I strained to feel something deeper for her, just a faint flicker of what I’d felt for Julie. It wouldn’t come.
Caitlin took a sip of her wine. “So, how was work?”
“It was good.” I glanced around the bustling restaurant. Folks from town and tourists I didn’t recognize filled the tables. “Mostly just catching up on never-ending paperwork.”
Caitlin’s mouth turned down. “That doesn’t sound like too much fun.”
I chuckled. “A lot of police work is boring. Still needs to get done.”
“So—” Caitlin’s words were cut off by the appearance of someone at our table.
Arthur Grigg was a staple in town. Seventy-eight years old and nosy as all get-out. “Walker, Caitlin,” he greeted, then turned to face me. “I heard there’s a missing hiker.”
“There is.” I eyed Caitlin from across the table. Her lips pressed together in a way that said she wasn’t too happy I had neglected to share this news with her.
Arthur huffed. “Well, what are you doing about it?”
“There’s not a lot we can do at the moment. Search and rescue is on standby, and we have an APB out on her vehicle. Other than that, our hands are tied.”
Arthur’s eyes narrowed. “You’re telling me there’s not one thing you could be doing for that girl? I’d think you of all people would want to be looking for her.”
My jaw tightened, and Caitlin sucked in a breath. “I’d love to be looking for her, but there are thousands of miles of forest around here. Where would I start, if I have no clue whereshestarted?” My chest burned, and I fought against the urge to put the old guy in his place. I knew Arthur didn’t mean any harm, but his words cut deep.
“Well, you could at least put up some missing-person flyers.”
I wanted to ask what posters would do if the hiker was in the middle of the woods, but I resisted. “Tell you what, Arthur. Why don’t you come by the station tomorrow. I’ll print up some flyers, and you and the rest of the bridge club can help me put them up around town.”
Arthur’s chest puffed up as though I’d nominated him for knighthood. “I could get the boys together, and we could help you out.”
“Thank you. That’d be a big help.”
He patted me on the shoulder. “That’s what good communities do, help each other when the chips are down. Now, I’ll let you two youngins enjoy your supper.”
