Page 23 of Kiss of Deceit

“Adella, please stay out of my business,” I grated out. “I made one damn mistake messing with an intern. It’s not going to happen again.”

If Adella knew that Dani was living with me, I was sure she’d mention it. No one except Fiona and Harry knew, but I was sure that would change. Gossip spread through this town like wildfire.

A pounding at the front door cut off Adella’s response, and I frowned as I checked my watch. The bar didn’t open for another hour, and everyone here knew the hours. Adella disappeared in the storage room while I went to see who was shaking the front door. Sliding the deadbolt, I opened the door, glaring at the guy standing in front of me.

“Did you miss the giant sign?” I asked, pointing to it. “We’re still closed, Jerry. You know this.”

Jerry was out of breath, his black hair sticking up every which way as if he’d just rolled out of bed. He was a few yearsolder than me and had lived here for less than a year. He worked at the butcher shop across the street.

“Someone broke in,” he huffed out. “The back window is busted. Things are missing, Kole.”

“Then go get Harry. He’s the sheriff, not me.”

“I called the office, no one is answering.”

Grumbling under my breath, I stepped outside and followed him across the empty street. Whenever things went wrong around here, and Harry wasn’t available, people seemed to think I was the one to go to. Maybe it was because they all shared their problems with me at the bar, but whatever the reason, I was going to talk to Harry. This was his damn job, and if he couldn’t handle it, he needed to hire more help.

“They trashed the place too,” Jerry muttered as he opened the front door for me. “It’s going to take forever to clean up.”

I peered around the small store, my stomach knotting slightly. Jerry hadn’t been exaggerating. The glass under the counter was smashed out with all the wrapped meat scattered on the floor. The cash register was open, and I was guessing all the money was gone.

I moved toward the back, pushing the door open, seeing that this area was just as bad as the front. It was much colder back here to keep the meat fresh. A deer was hanging from the ceiling which was the only thing untouched. During the winter, deer and birds were the only fresh meat until the road opened again.

“They took knives,” Jerry said in a low voice.

My eyes snapped to him. “What?”

He nodded, motioning to the back wall. “They’re missing.”

Following his gaze, I instantly spotted what he was talking about. The entire wall had knives and other butchering tools hanging from small hooks. It was glaringly obvious that some were missing.

This was not good. Petty crime happened here. But this? This was different.

“Go to the police station,” I ordered, looking at Jerry. “Whoever is there better get ahold of Harry.”

Jerry spun around and left as I turned my attention back to the mess. I eyed the wall again, dread coiling within me. Whoever came in and stole those knives did it for a reason. It could be a hunter who didn’t want to pay for their own supplies.

But what if it wasn’t?

CHAPTER TWELVE

dani

“The usual?”the girl behind the counter asked once I walked inside the café.

I nodded, pulling off my scarf and giving her a smile. “Please.”

After paying, I set my purse down on the same table near the window where I’d been sitting every morning this week. Even if I only had a couple hundred dollars to my name, it was more than I’d had in my account in years. Enough to eat and splurge on a coffee before work. I hadn’t touched Kole’s coffee maker again after the first morning since I didn’t feel like dealing with his crankiness. I’d been avoiding him at all costs. Especially after I flashed him my ass a few nights ago.

“Here you go.” The employee set my coffee in front of me, and I lifted my head to meet her gaze.

“Thanks,” I said, wrapping my hands around the warm cup. “I’m Dani, by the way. Thought I’d introduce myself since I plan to be here every morning.”

She flashed a cheery smile. “I’m Hallie.”

“How long have you worked here?” I asked.

“Six months,” she replied. “It’s an easy job, and more fun since you interns showed up.”