“You have too much to do,” my dad said to Josh’s disappointment.
“Stan, if you wouldn’t mind going with my daughter, since you haven’t officially been taken off the case yet,” my dad said.
“Of course, Sheriff,” Stan said. “The place doesn’t open until ten. Why don’t I take the pin and log it into evidence, see if any prints can be lifted from it and meet Pepper at the shop at ten-thirty with a picture of it after it’s been cleaned off?”
“I miss having someone I don’t have to tell every little thing to. Don’t get me wrong, Nick and his crew are great, but you never missed a thing.”
“Not anymore, Warren. I’m just not as sharp as I used to be,” Stan said with a sad shake of his head.
“You could fool me,” my dad said with a comforting pat to Stan’s back, then looked to me. “Can you meet Stan at ten-thirty, Pepper?”
“Not a problem. I’ll be there,” I assured my dad.
Josh secured the pin in an evidence bag and Stan left, walking to the lodge where he had parked his car.
“Call me after you talk with Kate,” my dad said.
“Will do. I have to get going. I’m having breakfast with Ian at the lodge.” I stopped before turning to walk away, seeing that my dad looked as if he wanted to say more. “Is there something else you wanted, Dad?”
He stepped away from Josh and the other officer and I followed alongside him.
“More and more people are telling me how they can’t wait for your mom to be mayor. She’s going to win this race and she’ll be my boss.”
I laughed. “She’s already your boss, Dad.”
“I’m serious about this, Pepper,” he snapped. “This could be a real problem for me.”
I felt contrite. He was worried and he chose to talk with me about it. I wasn’t sure what I could do to help him, but I tried.
“When I was young, I used to listen to you talk about things that were going on at work. Mom would listen, ask you questions, but I never recall her giving you advice unless you asked for it. Mom respects you and the job you do. And if for some reason she should disagree with you over something when she’s mayor, she would do so privately. Also, Mom is wise enough to know that with all your years of experience, the final decision with anything concerning the sheriff’s department would be left to you. I would be rejoicing if I were you. I think Mayor Mom will make your job easier.” I didn’t let him see that I was crossing my fingers behind my back.
“Your mom told me almost the same thing,” my dad admitted.
“It might take some getting used to, but who knows, maybe she’ll lose.”
“Not likely, Pepper, not after I file an official report on the case and the local news gets hold of it. James Barrett will never get reelected.”
“It’s been thirty-five years. Dad. The town has changed, new people are living here with no knowledge of the past. Besides, the election is months away. You never know what may happen by then.”
“One can only hope,” my dad said, and I gave him a hug before heading to the lodge.
Mo ran ahead of me eager to reach the lodge and be greeted with pets and hugs, and, of course, food, which he was as soon as we entered the lodge.
A breakfast buffet was set up in the lodge’s main entrance for the models and staff. Ian had hired a chef and crew to prepare breakfast and a late lunch for all. After that everyone was on their own. Many went out while others made use of the well-stocked kitchen.
Book covers were not Ian’s only source of revenue. Many businesses got in touch with him concerning small modeling jobs for their advertisement needs. Models would come and go as needed. Presently, the lodge was busy. Ian’s company booked with an abundance of projects.
Beau spotted me the same time I spotted him, and we hurried toward each other.
“Amy’s dad told her last night that he’ll only be here a few more days,” Beau said.
“How did she take the news?” I asked, thinking it was cruel of him to expect to waltz in and out of her life as he pleased.
“She actually seemed relieved as if she didn’t care if he stayed or left. He disappointed her time and again while here. We waited for him at the bookstore only to have him call us and tell us business delayed him and he’d meet us for supper, and he was late for that as well. Then he did what I expected and talked about a great sales opportunity she might consider investing in.”
I didn’t wonder why Amy hadn’t told me about that, I knew. She was embarrassed. He hadn’t truly come back to see her after all these years. He wanted something from her.