Prince Charming Wears a Badge (10 page)

The two men shook hands and Gino spread his arms. “So, what do you think? Can this old building become grand again?”

Tyler nodded as he looked around at the lobby that had been used hard by groups over the years. “It'll be a lot of work, but I definitely think it's worthwhile.” There were bulletin boards and posters half-torn down on the walls where plaster was either cracking or coming off completely. Beyond that, Tyler saw the intricate woodwork, the oak floors that needed refinishing and all the other bits of personality that would require some loving care.

They spoke for a few minutes about Gino's plans for the building before he said, “I suppose you're here to tell me you're taking Poppy's side and that I shouldn't have bought the property.”

“Actually, no. I'm here for a different reason, although I'm not happy that you've hurt Aunt Poppy.”

Gino nodded vigorously. “I know, I know. But you have to believe me that I had no idea that she was planning to go from boardinghouse to B and B.”

“I think that was always her plan,” Tyler said. “She just didn't want so many strangers coming in and out of the house while the girls live there. Give her some time and she'll come around. Maybe the two of you can somehow collaborate and make things work for both of you.”

Gino seemed to consider the idea.

“Anyway,” Tyler continued, “I think I might have a way for you to make points with Aunt Poppy.”

Gino's eyebrows rose. “Go on.”

“I need a work space for Callie to go through financial records and wondered if you might have room here. The police station is already way too cramped.”

Gino looked around the lobby. “Come with me. I have the perfect spot.” He led Tyler down a long hallway, past restrooms and other doorways. He stopped at a large room at the end of the hall. “Would this work?”

There were no lights on since the electricity was probably turned off, but some natural light came through the large windows. Tyler could see the room would be more than adequate for Callie's needs.

“This would be perfect. What about construction? Will Callie be in the way if she's working in here?”

Gino shook his head. “I'm still getting permits and working with an architect. Anyway, we're only talking a few days or weeks, right?”

Tyler nodded. “I hope it won't be more than two weeks tops.”

“Then the room's all yours.”

“Electricity?”

“Supposed to be turned on by tomorrow. This room gets plenty of light from the windows, but I can't guarantee that'll be enough light.”

“We can work around that.” Tyler hesitated. “How much?” He had no idea where he'd find money in the budget, but this work needed to be done, and the person responsible—if there was a problem—held accountable.

Gino put his hand out. “No charge.” The men shook hands and Gino added, “Better chance of making points with Poppy if I don't charge her nephew.”

The two men went over specific details and Gino gave Tyler a key to the front door.

“I'll move the boxes over in the morning,” Tyler told him.

When he left, he felt like he'd accomplished something and almost dreaded the next thing he needed to do.

Call his sister, Isabelle.

It wasn't that he didn't want to talk to her. They spoke every few weeks or so.

He was more worried about what she might tell him about Callie and her stepsister. If he trusted what Isabelle had told him when they were teenagers, back when he'd had a crush on Callie, then Callie had a bad temper and was mean to Wendy.

But if he believed what he'd witnessed since Callie returned to town, he'd guess his sister hadn't told him the whole truth.

He pulled into his parking space at the police station and walked in the front door of the building. Making the call from his office would be more private than making it at Aunt Poppy's. The last thing he wanted was Callie overhearing him talking about her.

He waved to the officer, reading a book at Donna's desk, who was covering the phone that rarely rang. Then Tyler unlocked his office door and turned on the lights. Before he called Isabelle, he checked his email then wrote an email to his staff asking for help moving the financial records from the storage space to the Lincoln.

Finally he pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called his sister.

“Hi, Izzy,” he said when she answered.

“Hey, Ty,” she responded. “What's up?”

“Why does something have to be up for me to call you?”

She harrumphed dramatically. “Because I'm usually the one who calls you.”

He chuckled. “You're right. I'll try to do better.” He paused. “So what's going on with you?” He'd do the chitchat thing before getting into the real reason he called since she was already suspicious.

“Not much. Work is busy, so I don't have much free time. I'm hiring a new assistant manager and several of my servers left for college.” Isabelle managed a chain restaurant.

“What about that guy you met online?”

“Oh, Barry and I have been talking a lot. At least by email and text.”

“No phone calls?”

“No. We never seem to be free to talk at the same time. You know how my hours are at the restaurant.”

“And remind me what Barry does.”

“He's a firefighter. So his hours are crazy, too.”

“Doesn't he have days off at a time?” Something wasn't sounding right about this Barry.

“True. But they never coincide with mine. Besides, his schedule is always getting changed. You know, people taking time off and needing to switch. He's just a really nice guy who says yes.”

Again, warning bells went off in Tyler's head, but he decided to keep his suspicions to himself. For now. Maybe Barry really was the perfect guy Isabelle thought he was.

“What about you? What have you been up to and how are my nieces?”

“The girls are good. You should come down to visit before school starts.”

“I can't believe Alexis is going into first grade already.”

“I know. Time flies.”

“You're still at Aunt Poppy's?”

“We are. My house is coming along slowly.” He needed to get to the reason he called. “Speaking of Aunt Poppy, a new tenant moved in last week. Callie James.”

“Oh.” A less than enthusiastic response. “Why is she back in town?”

He didn't want to betray Callie's confidence by telling his sister what he knew, but he didn't want to lie, either. “She's taking care of some family stuff.” Not a lie, just not the whole truth. “I doubt she'll be here more than a few weeks.”

“Family stuff, huh? That family will need more than a few weeks to straighten itself out.”

She'd piqued his interest. “How's that?”

“They're just all pretty screwed up from what I've seen.”

“That's right. You and Callie's stepsister hung around in high school. Do you still keep in touch with Wendy?”

“I haven't spoken to her since I left for college. I heard through other friends that she went a semester to community college and then dropped out when she got pregnant.”

“She has a kid?” Where had the child been every time he'd run into her?

“I guess so.”

“Is she married?”

“From what I've heard, her marriage has been rocky. He's got an alcohol problem and maybe drugs, too. But that's just what I've heard from other people.”

“Are they living in Whittler's Creek? There haven't been any incidents involving Wendy's husband since I've been on the force.”

“I think they're living right there in town.” Isabelle paused. “Why are you so interested in Wendy?”

He decided to be honest. “Because I've run into her several times over the past week and she's been downright nasty to Callie. Didn't you tell me Callie was the one with the temper?”

“That's what Wendy told me. She'd go on and on about how Callie would scream at Wendy's mother and belittle Wendy. So I always kept my distance. I didn't want Callie turning on me, too.”

“So Callie had a bad temper. Did you ever witness it?”

“Honestly, no. I only heard about it from Wendy. Why? Has she done something? Did she do or say something to the girls?”

“No, no. Nothing like that. I'm just curious. Callie's been extra calm around Wendy and I'm trying to wrap my head around it. Even when Wendy has been downright rude and aggressive to her, she's kept her cool. I've seen no sign of this supposed temper.”

“Maybe Callie has grown up and learned to control her temper,” Isabelle suggested.

“Maybe.” But he didn't quite believe it. “Can you think of any reason why Wendy might have lied about Callie's temper?”

Isabelle didn't say anything at first. “No.”

Now that he'd spoken to his sister, Tyler was more confused than ever.

CHAPTER TEN

M
ONDAY
MORNING
C
ALLIE
rose early and was surprised by her good mood. She was actually looking forward to the day. That feeling was a first in the week since she'd returned to Whittler's Creek.

Last night, Tyler had told her about the space at the Lincoln Hotel that he found for her to go through the financial records. She couldn't wait to get started. She loved a challenge.

“I'd give you a ride this morning,” Tyler said when they ran into each other in the kitchen a little while later. “But I don't want to strand you at the hotel if I get called somewhere.”

“That's okay. I don't mind getting myself there. There's parking in the back, you said?”

He nodded. “I've got the boxes being moved there this morning, so I'll go unlock the building. After they're all moved, I'll give you the key to hold on to so you can come and go as you need to.”

“Sounds like a plan.” She helped herself to coffee. “Oh, one other thing. Can you forward me the email you received about the embezzlement?” She pulled out a business card she'd stuck in her jeans' pocket and took a pen from the container on the counter. She wrote her personal email address on the back and held it out to him. “I won't bother taking my laptop. I can do everything from my phone. I'd love to see specifics, if the person provided any.”

“I'll do that as soon as I get to the office.” He took the card from her and put it in his wallet.

She felt a spark when their fingers touched and she couldn't help being disappointed that Tyler hadn't made any more mention of that short-term affair they'd talked about having. She understood about him dealing with Poppy and then his daughters, but why hadn't he even hinted at it since?

“Where are the girls?” she asked instead of the question burning her tongue.

“They're outside already, riding their bikes on the sidewalk. Aunt Poppy's with them, enjoying her coffee on the front porch.” He looked over at the clock on the stove. “I better get going.”

Callie nodded. “Okay, then. I'll see you soon.”

She watched him walk out the door in his uniform, her body heating, and she wondered why men in uniform had never affected her quite like this before.

Maybe it was because he was more than just a man in uniform. He had a warm and giving soul, a great personality, and he was a pretty terrific kisser.

She grew warmer as she remembered his mouth on hers. She had to blink several times to clear her head. She had no time for thoughts like that today. She had work to do.

About an hour later she parked next to Tyler's truck in the Lincoln Hotel's parking lot. She'd passed a van parked at the front door. The vehicle had a Whittler's Creek logo on the door and had probably been used to transport the files to the hotel.

She'd visited the hotel once as a teenager to attend a sixteenth birthday party in the lobby. She remembered it had been catered and there had even been a DJ. The birthday girl's parents had gone all-out.

Unlike any of Callie's birthdays, which had usually passed as normal days. Her dad would either be on a long-haul trip or he'd forgotten her birthday altogether. The most recognition she'd gotten were more chores from her stepmother and bruising punches in the arm from her stepsister.

Callie straightened. That was the past. She didn't allow herself to be hurt physically or emotionally anymore.

Tyler strode down the hall toward her, a welcoming smile on his face. “Come with me. I'll show you to your new digs.”

She followed him down the hallway and into what appeared to be a small conference room. “This is perfect,” she said and then looked to the wall for a light switch. She flipped it with no result.

“Gino said the electricity should be on this morning.” Tyler pointed to the windows. “It's pretty sunny right now. But if that's not enough light to work, then you can come back when the power's on.”

Callie shook her head. “No, I'm anxious to get started. I can get organized and see what we've got.” She glanced at the half dozen or so boxes piled by the wall. There was a scratched conference table and some sad-looking rolling arm chairs. Nothing like her ergonomic leather chair, glass-and-metal desk, and the park view she had in her office back home. But she could make do here. She was up for the task.

“Then I'll leave you to all this,” he said, gesturing to the boxes and the room, “and I'll get to work.” He turned to go but then spun around to face her. “I could pick you up a sandwich for lunch.”

“Is that your sneaky way of checking up on me?” She couldn't help teasing him.

“Hey, if you don't want me to bring lunch, just say so.” He grinned. “Maybe your question is your way of saying you'd rather not have lunch with me.”

She made a goofy face at him and then their gazes locked. She took the few steps to the doorway where he stood. She stopped before their bodies touched but close enough that she felt the heat coming off him. There was also that distinct physical pull, like a magnet to metal. She put a finger to his lips. “That's not at all what I was saying. I'd love a sandwich.” She ran her finger over his lips, down his chin and neck until she reached his breastbone. “So where are you going?”

She almost laughed aloud at his look of confusion.

“I'm going to work,” he said.

Then she did laugh, enjoying the sexual power she had over him. “I meant, where are you going to pick up lunch so I can tell you what I want to eat?”

He didn't answer. His arms were around her and she was plastered against his body before she could register what was happening. Then he kissed her with abandon.

Exactly what she'd been hoping he'd do all along.

* * *

T
YLER
NEVER
MADE
it back to the hotel for lunch.

Instead his admin assistant, Donna, delivered Callie's requested sandwich.

“Here's your tuna wrap,” Donna said as she came into the conference room, making Callie aware of the mess she'd created with the files. “The Chief said he's sorry he couldn't bring it himself. He and the boys got called to a domestic disturbance.” Donna set a paper bag in front of Callie, careful not to place it on any files.

“I completely understand.” That was true but it didn't mean Callie wasn't disappointed. “They all had to go?”

Donna nodded. “Except for Jim—Officer Franklin. He stayed behind in case something else came up. He's also covering the phones while I take lunch.” She stopped to take a breath. “This is the third time they've been called to this particular address and last time there were weapons involved. It could be pretty serious.”

Callie was reminded of how dangerous Tyler's job could be. “And Tyler—Chief Garrett—felt the need to be there himself.” A statement not a question.

“Exactly.” Donna surveyed the room. She appeared to be in her midthirties or close to forty. She had a few stray grays in her dark brown hair that she'd pulled back into a low ponytail. She wore dark-rimmed glasses that framed her huge brown eyes.

“So you're going over those files that were moved in and out of the Chief's office?” Donna hitched up her black pants and checked the tuck of her white button-down shirt.

“I am.” Callie hadn't expected Donna would hang around, but she appeared to not be in any hurry to leave. “Would you like to sit down?”

Donna hesitated, as if deciding. “Sure,” she finally said, rolling a chair out from under the table and taking a seat. She stopped suddenly and looked at Callie. “Unless you'd rather I leave?”

“Oh, no, sit. Keep me company. Have you eaten yet?”

She nodded. “I did. I brought my lunch from home, so I ate before picking up yours.”

“That was very nice of you. Thank you.” Callie reached for her purse. “How much do I owe you?”

Donna held up a hand. “No need. The Chief took care of it.”

Callie left her purse where it was. “I guess I'll have to take it up with him.”

“Go ahead and eat.” Donna pointed to the bag of food.

“Are you sure you don't mind?”

“Not at all.” She patted her stomach where her white shirt pulled at the buttons. “I'm stuffed. I brought some leftovers to heat up and ate too much.”

Callie laughed as she unwrapped her food. “I need to make sure I don't do the same thing. This wrap is huge!”

“The portion size at the new deli is certainly generous,” Donna said and then changed subjects. “So you used to live here?”

Callie had the distinct feeling during their mundane conversation that Donna had been looking for an opening to get information on Callie.

“Yes, born and raised. I left when I went to college and now I'm living and working near the Maryland side of the DC beltway. What about you?”

“I moved here almost five years ago. I can't believe it's been that long already.”

The fluorescent lights in the ceiling suddenly came on. “Oh, good! We finally have electricity.” At Donna's questioning expression, she added, “It's been turned off until now—the new owner had to get it turned back on. It's not as warm as I'd expected in here because of the high ceilings, and the sun coming in the windows has made it light enough to work in here. But using the ladies' room with no windows was tricky with just the flashlight on my phone.”

The two women laughed and Callie relaxed a little. “So what brought you to Whittler's Creek?” She took a bite of her wrap.

“Actually it was a friend of your sister's suggestion.”

Callie nearly choked on her food. “My stepsister? You know Wendy?” Callie's guard was back up.

“Not until after I moved here. We met through a mutual friend who raved about how nice this town was. She even gave me a heads-up about the job opening as assistant to the Chief of Police when I was looking for a fresh start. As for your stepsister, I've seen her in passing, but we really haven't talked in a while. How's she doing?”

Talking about Wendy made it impossible for Callie to eat. She set her sandwich on the wax paper it had been wrapped in. “I haven't seen her much since I've been back. I guess she's okay.” She pulled a bottle of water from her things and took a long drink.

“So you're not close?”

Callie was hesitant to continue the conversation about Wendy because she wasn't sure how close Donna and Wendy might actually be. She wouldn't put it past Wendy to have Donna interrogate her.

“You said you haven't been in touch with Wendy in quite a while?” At Donna's nod, Callie asked, “She seems down on her luck.” Callie wondered how Wendy had fallen so far that she needed free food.

Donna leaned closer and lowered her voice, even though they were the only two in the room. “I only know what I've heard, but supposedly she and her husband have been having problems. He's got alcohol and drug issues and he also lost his job a while back. But I don't know how much of that is true.”

“What about Wendy? Is she working?”

Donna shrugged. “I really don't know. The last I talked to her, she was applying for jobs after getting laid off at the cheese factory. But that was quite a while ago. Maybe even a year or more.”

“So you've worked for Tyler since he took over as Chief of Police?” Callie needed to steer the conversation away from Wendy.

Donna nodded. “That's right. I worked for his predecessor before that. The Chief was nice to let me stay on.”

“I'm sure it's because you're good at what you do.” Callie tried taking another bite of her sandwich.

“I hope so. I really like my job.” Donna looked at her watch. “Oh! I need to go. Officer Franklin is waiting for me to get back with his lunch. He's probably starving.” She rose from her chair so quickly that it rolled backward a foot or so.

“It was nice talking to you,” Callie said.

Donna hesitated at the doorway. “Same here.” She sounded surprised, making Callie wonder what horrible things Donna had heard about Callie from Wendy. Interacting with people in this town was like walking through a minefield. Callie never knew who'd heard Wendy's lies.

* * *

T
YLER
RETURNED
TO
his office midafternoon, ready to go home for the day, but he knew he still had things that needed to be done.

“Everything work out okay?” Donna asked as he came by her desk.

He ran his hands through his hair. “Yeah. After we got Mr. Dalton to let Mrs. Dalton come out of the house, we arrested him without incident. He's at county lockup. It always takes forever to get someone processed there.”

Donna nodded.

“You got lunch for Callie?” he asked, knowing Donna would do anything he asked of her. He was actually more interested in whether Callie was disappointed that he couldn't have lunch with her. He just didn't want to come right out and ask.

“I did. She seems nicer than I expected.”

Odd thing for Donna to say. “She is.” He paused. “Why did you expect her to not be nice?”

“Oh, you know. Things her sister told me about how nasty she can be.”

“Really? I didn't know you knew Wendy.” He hadn't seen even a hint of nastiness in the past week. Even when Callie had wine poured on her or when her stepsister had pushed her to the ground and belittled her. “What kind of things?”

Donna's eyes widened. She was probably surprised he'd want details. “I shouldn't be gossiping.”

“This isn't gossiping. It's telling me what kind of things Wendy has said about Callie. You know she's under my supervision—which is confidential, by the way—so I should know what I'm dealing with.”

“I wouldn't share anything I know with anyone outside this office, Chief.” Her voice trembled with emotion.