“Geoffrey Kennedy was Carmel’s husband, father of Kurt and Monty. I knew that much. He died from a sudden illness just before my fatherdisappeared.”
“Ah, I remember that.So that makes Cass their what? Half aunt? Do they knowthat?”
“I didn’t know enough to ask.” He scrolled through some more, then hit a contact number. “I think we’d be better off asking Cass to explain in the morning, if she’s up to it. We need to find a place to stay for the night. I’m off duty at this point, but I’ll have to let the sheriff know I’ll be late coming intomorrow.”
Sam munched her way through the food while he called both his offices. She tried recalling meeting police officers or even businessmen, but the gallery owners her adopted parents occasionally entertained were the best she could summon. Her university professors occasionally wore suits, but there was nothing particularly authoritative about scientists and teachers. Even in his uniform, Walker exudedcommand—the kind that got thingsdone.
Which was why she was surprised at his frustration in arguing with what she had assumed to be hissecretary.
“Then take the f... frigging suite,” he all but shouted, obviously substituting a mild swear word as if talking to his mother. “I’m not driving back up the highway at this hour.” He grimaced, ran his hand through his short hair, andlistened to the voice on the other end. “Fine then, call it my case and bill it to me. It’s not as if the d... darned suite will breakus.”
He waited a moment, nodded, muttered, “Good, got it, thanks,” and clickedoff.
Taking a deep breath, he visibly calmed his temper and reached for a fry. “I inherited my secretary from my father. She thinks we’re still building the businessand counting every penny. She runs a tight ship and I can’t complain, butsometimes...”
She hid her smile at his frustration. She liked that this powerful man treated his elderly secretary withcare.
He munched the fry, checked that the bags were empty, and stood up. “There’s some kind of festival in town. All the hotels are booked solid. The only opening is a suite at the resortback up the road. I hope you don’tmind.”
He didn’t sound as if he cared if she did. He was already stalking toward the car. Taking her time, Sam strolled after him. Powerful men needed people who reminded them they didn’t rule theworld.
Her parents had raised her to be independent, although the extremely narrow environment they’d raised her in hadn’t fostered independence.Interesting.
Walker turned around and realized she lagged behind. He waited for her at the end of the pier. “Did you want to see more of the coast? We can walk toward thecannery.”
She brightened. “Is there a place where we can have wine and watch thesunset?”
“It will be packed at this hour,” he warned, but he took her hand and led her down thestreet.
She’d tell him later thatshe knew where her backpack was and what was init.
