Page 38

The next morning, Cole offered Detective Sanders coffee and then brought him up to speed.

They sat at the table in the breakfast nook.

Listening, Jo stood at the kitchen counter slathering cream cheese on her bagels.

Cole thought it best to give Sanders the information about the skull and see if he came up with a similar theory rather than hand-feeding him the theory that her mother had been warned with the skull reconstruction.

Sanders sipped on coffee like they were old friends and frowned. “Have you heard from Michigan yet on where the skull was found?”

“I talked to Detective Wilson this morning,” Cole said. “He said this was a new twist and one he’d never heard of before. He almost sounded hesitant to look into the details about where the skull had been discovered, but he knows we’ll just go around him if he doesn’t stay involved.”

Sanders clasped his hands and leaned forward. “Let me be clear. You won’t need to go around me.”

Cole wasn’t entirely sure why Sanders would be so invested, but maybe he was like a pit bull and had no intention of letting go.

“In my past work experience,” Sanders said, “I was involved in a case where several people were eliminated due to their connection to one event. Without knowing more, I almost get the feeling this has the markings of that kind of case.”

Although the detective hadn’t mentioned the possibility that the skull was meant to be a warning to Mira, Sanders was tracking with them.

The detective intrigued Cole. He wasn’t the kind of man to hold everything too close.

Detectives usually didn’t like to share their information while working an investigation.

But maybe in this case, Sanders knew it was a give-and-take.

And he respected Cole, that much was clear.

In some areas, Cole likely had more resources than Sanders.

There was the law, the rules and systems that were put in place.

And then there was the human factor. Cooperation and collaboration would get them much farther than a “turf war.”

“I agree with your assessment,” Cole said. “The only thing that doesn’t fit is Jo. She doesn’t know anything, so why has she been targeted?” He raised the question for Sanders, but Cole believed she was a means to an end. Someone wanted to get to Ransom.

“Are you sure she doesn’t know something?” Sanders asked.

“Excuse me?” She dropped her cream cheese–covered knife and it skittered over close to Cole.

“I’ll get it.” He bent down to pick it up before a sticky mess ended up on the floor.

Jo slid into a chair across from Sanders and glared at him.

“Are you sure you don’t know something?” Sanders asked her. “You could know something without knowing that you know.”

Similar to what Cole had told her. “I don’t know what I don’t know .”

“My world was rocked with the death of my mother and the threats to my life. Everything was taken away from me by some kind of turbulent current hidden beneath me, there all the time, but I didn’t know. I didn’t see it until it pulled me under and away from everything I’ve known and loved.”

Way to let him have it , Jo. She was getting fed up, and Cole didn’t blame her.

“But you have the picture now,” Sanders said. “You know that much. That could be enough.”

“I don’t know what it means, though. I don’t know who the additional people are or what their connection is.”

“I think you’re getting there,” Sanders said.

“I had planned to take her to the archives to learn more about the photograph.” Cole tapped his fingers on the table. “But I’m not so sure we should go to the museum today.”

“What are you saying?” Jo stood. “We’re going, Cole. You can go with me, or I’ll go without you.”

“Your parents gave up their lives and started new ones to hide whatever the secret is. It’s too risky.”

“Why the sudden change of heart? What changed your mind?” She continued without giving him a chance to reply. “It’s riskier not to learn the truth. Their truth, their danger, that has pursued me for three years.” Jo folded her arms, standing her ground.

“I’ll go too,” Sanders said. “It’s part of my investigation. I can help protect her.”

Did Cole need or want help? He could contact Hawk to assist. “It’s out of your jurisdiction.”

“But part of my investigation. Look, a bomb happened here in my county. I’ve been coordinating with the WSP detective and, for my part, getting the answers behind that bomb in the rainforest means I have to sink my teeth into it.

” He leaned closer. “I’ll follow you. Having an official vehicle could come in handy.

You and Jo can talk things out in the archives.

I won’t hover. I’ll be there to keep a sharp eye out. ”

Cole had to think about it. He didn’t want Sanders causing any roadblocks. Then again, Sanders could suspect that their man, Merrick, would show up, which is what Cole feared.

“Listen, that picture could hold the key,” Sanders said. “It could be the most important piece that ties it all together.”

“Exactly why this could be the most dangerous leg of the investigation,” Cole said. And why he was having second thoughts about taking Jo into yet another situation where they could be ambushed.

“I’m going, Cole. I’d love it if you came too.” Jo had made her case.

Fine. He didn’t know Sanders all that well, but he had a sense about people, and the man was a determined investigator. “Okay. We’re heading out in an hour. Meet us south on 101 at the turnoff to Forestview.”

“See you in an hour.” Sanders let himself out.

****

An hour later, Jo adjusted her sling bag over her arm. “I’m bringing my sketch pad. You never know when the muse will strike, and sketching can help me think.”

Cole grabbed his firearm, set the security alarm, and they exited the house. He texted Sanders that they were heading out and would see him in a few minutes. They got into Jo’s mean-looking Land Rover this time. Cole hoped the police presence Sanders provided would deter any followers.

“That guy rubs me the wrong way,” she said. “I wish he didn’t have to join us.”

“Ever hear the saying ‘There is safety in numbers’? He’s offering his help, and we’re taking advantage of the fact that he’s also part of this investigation.”

“I wish we hadn’t shared what we’re doing with him,” she said.

“Really? Because we need all the help we can get. He could just as easily have taken over and insisted he would continue the investigation at the museum.”

“No, he couldn’t,” she said. “I need to be there. I’m the one connected, and I’ll find clues he couldn’t find.”

“I agree. And Detective Sanders is in it with us now. You should give him a chance.” Like Sheriff Thatcher had said, “You’ll come around.”

“Cole, is he going along for protection?” she asked. “Are you worried that you won’t be enough? Because if that’s it, I’ll tell you right now you are absolutely all I need.”

He didn’t know how to respond to that. Had she really meant to say those words? And if she had, had she meant them in the way that he really wanted to take them? His heart was in his throat now, and he had no coherent response.

If Sanders wasn’t following them, Cole might have pulled over onto the shoulder or into a parking lot and kissed her with everything in him. He knew now, without a doubt, that...

You’re absolutely all I need too.