Page 36 of Cold Light of Day

“And that man the chief put in jail...I heard he was wanted by Interpol.”

Grier froze at the words. His blood ran cold. The guy was on one of Interpol’s wanted lists?

“What is that anyway?” the woman asked over the hood of the car.

“Some kind of international police agency. Fancy having someone like that here in Shadow Gap.”

“Fancy isn’t the right word at all. It’s scary.”

Grier didn’t need to hear more. He closed the truck door, started it up, and sped back to town. Though he wanted to keep speeding, he slowed as he drove down Main Street, then parked at the police station.

He rushed inside and stopped at the counter meant as a barrier. Tanya, the black-haired dispatch/secretary, turned from her computer on a desk against the wall and smiled. “Ah, the town hero. What can I do for you?”

“I ... uh ... Chief Long. I need to speak to her.”

“She’s not in. I can leave her a message, and she’ll get back to you as soon as she can.”

“I can just call her.” Text her. “What about the guy who was in jail here? Is he still—”

“He was taken to Anchorage, and then on to who knows where.” She shrugged.

He glanced past her to look at the computer and the opened email. Though he couldn’t read it from this distance, he recognized the logo of the state medical examiner’s office.

“What did he have to do with Interpol?”

He not only wanted an answer she probably wouldn’t give, but he also wanted to read that email because it might have to do with the recovered body.

“While I can’t offer information about police business, I can say that we get all types here.”

“Really? You’ve held a prisoner on a wanted list put out by Interpol in your small jail before?”

She shrugged. “Just another day on the job.”

“You’re kidding.”Come on, lady, give me something.

“Excuse me?”

Oh, this woman was a tough one. She wouldn’t be pushed to lose her cool or give him what he wanted.

“Shadow Gap is a small, quiet town. Surely you don’t get international fugitives here often, and it’s not just another normal day.”

She laughed. “I worked for Chief Long’s father, Miles, for twenty years, and then before him, I worked for the PD over in Anchorage. I’ve seen a lot, but you’re right, it’s quiet here and that’s why I love it. Now and again, we get a crime wave, let’s call it.”

The main entrance door flew open, startling both Tanya and Grier, and the chief rushed in, her face flushed.

“The meeting went well?” Tanya asked.

Ignoring both Tanya and Grier, she passed them to enter her office, then slammed the door.

Tanya glanced at Grier, failing to hide her concern. Grier didn’t see the other two officers around. Without asking permission, he walked past the counter to the chief’s office and opened the door, ignoring the “Wait!” that Tanya called from behind him.

He didn’t care. He, too, slammed the door behind him and took the seat across from the chief’s desk, though she remained standing. Surprise widened her eyes, and her cheeks were red—but they’d been red when she rushed in. Her hair was pulled back but wet from the rain, and soft curls had escaped, framing her face.

She was more agitated than he’d ever seen. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to commiserate with you.” He couldn’t just walk out with the way she’d rushed past them, clearly upset. “You’re down an officer. What can I do to help?”

“Nothing. I ... I know nothing about you, Grier.”