Page 11 of Vanished in the Mist (A Mystic Lake Mystery #2)

Kaden was surprised to see that the sun was already setting by the time that Shanna parked her car beside his truck at the cabin.

But recovery work always seemed to take longer than expected.

Diving was something he truly enjoyed, in spite of the grim reason for it today.

And time seemed to fly whenever he was in the water.

Add to that the interviews at the police station, and the day was essentially over.

“You coming?” Shanna paused in front of the car.

He hopped out, then looked down the hill toward the dock. He was relieved to see his boat solidly tied where Officer Ortiz had told him it would be. Ortiz had even hung the bumpers over the side to keep the boat from getting damaged from rubbing against the dock.

“It is a beautiful boat,” Shanna said, following the direction of his gaze. “Even though I never want to get on it again.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Your boat?”

“The reason you’re afraid of the water.”

“Nope.”

Disappointment shot through him. He respected her desire for privacy. But he also knew burdens were easier to bear when they were shared.

When he realized she was carrying the box of police file copies that Ortiz had given them, he took it from her.

“I can carry that,” she insisted.

“My mama taught be better.”

She smiled. “I’ll bet I’d like your mom.”

“I know you would. You’re a lot alike. Smart, funny and beautiful.”

“Are you flirting with me, Mr. Rafferty?” she teased, echoing his earlier question to her on his boat.

“Just making an observation,” he replied.

Her laughter was a light tinkling sound that sent a frisson of pleasure straight to his groin.

He enjoyed everything about her. But the logical part of him kept sending up warning bells.

When this week was over, they’d both go their separate ways.

They had to. Their entire lives and careers were based in two completely different parts of the country.

He had no desire to leave his business in South Carolina to head to…

where had she said her business was? West Virginia?

He imagined she wouldn’t want to pull up roots and start over in Charleston, either.

And he didn’t get the vibe that she was the type to engage in a fling without a commitment.

Which meant he needed to keep a tight rein on the wicked attraction searing his veins every time she smiled, laughed, or impressed the hell out of him with her bravery and intelligence.

Once inside the cabin, he set the box on the kitchen table, then made sure to lock the door. When he turned around, Shanna was standing a few feet away with her hands on her hips.

“That reminds me.” She nodded toward the lock he’d just turned. “It’s high time you gave me back my gun. It’s not just bears I need to be concerned about around here. There’s a killer on the loose.” She held out her hand.

“Do you honestly think I would have gone into the police station with a gun?”

She considered that question, then slowly lowered her hand. “I guess not. And it’s not like you’d have had it on you when you were diving.”

“It’s on the boat. I’ll go get it.”

She put her hand on his arm, stopping him as he reached for the lock. That hand was soft and warm. And if he didn’t stop thinking like that he’d never survive the remainder of the week, not without a lot of cold showers.

“Keep it,” she said. “You plan on continuing to sleep on the boat, right? You’ll need protection.”

He unlocked the door. “It’s your gun. As long as you don’t plan on trying to shoot me again, I’ll return it. Lock the door behind me. I’ve got my key.” He headed outside.

An hour later, they’d both finished another light dinner, this time sandwiches they’d made in the well-stocked kitchen. After cleaning up, they sat at the table with both of their case folders, as well as what the police had given them today.

Kaden motioned toward the stacks of papers and photographs.

“That’s a lot of dots to connect. How can you possibly perform the investigation in a week?

Less, since this is day two and it’s almost over.

Maybe you should leave it to the police and let me finish searching the areas of the lake most likely to produce results.

If you try to make heads or tails of all of this, you won’t have any time left for your planned vacation. ”

She sighed. “You’re right. I can pretty much kiss my vacation goodbye.

But I couldn’t give up on the investigation now, not after seeing Tanya’s pictures and reading just a few of the interviews.

I’m already emotionally invested. I’ll do what I can until Cassidy and Gavin return.

After that, I have no choice but to return to West Virginia.

We have other cases my investigators are working on and I’ll need to review those and brainstorm additional avenues to explore.

It might be another month before I can come back.

But I’m determined to see this through to the end, whatever it takes and however long it takes. ”

“I would think a PI would make a point of not getting emotionally invested in their work. That could lead to a lot of heartbreak, and a heck of a lot of stress above and beyond the norm.”

She shrugged. “I try not to. Most of my investigations are financial in nature—follow the money. Or the usual husband-and-wife-cheating-on-each-other scenario and someone wanting evidence for the divorce hearing. Those don’t bother me.

But when the person at the heart of the investigation is completely innocent, like Tanya, a sophomore in high school, it’s pretty impossible not to get caught up in the emotions around that.

Especially empathy for the loved ones left behind.

It takes its toll. That’s why I don’t take those cases very often.

” She held up her hands as if in surrender.

“I appreciate the advice. But it’s already too late on this one.

I’m all in.” She cocked her head, studying him.

“It can’t be easy for you either, finding what you found.

And then helping the police to recover…the rest.”

“That was a first, for sure. Usually law enforcement wants to immediately take over the recovery process if there’s a person involved. Can’t say that I want to do ever do that again.”

She crossed her arms on top of the table in one of the few spots not covered with papers. “But you still plan on continuing? Searching for another victim… Tanya?”

He arched an eyebrow. “I’m already invested.”

She smiled. “Touché.”

“Besides, spending more time with you will more than make up for whatever else I go through.”

“Ha. I’ll poll you in a few days to see whether you still feel that way. I’ve been told I can be way too bossy and too aggressive. Although the person who most often told me that used a much less polite word.”

“Mind if I ask who that person was?”

Her posture stiffened.

“Forget I asked,” he said. “None of my business.”

Her gorgeous blue eyes stared into his. “Actually, it is your business. I mean, I hope it doesn’t really impact you, but if you do plan on continuing to work with me—”

“I do. I can’t go near the crime scene tomorrow since the police divers will be there. And it won’t take long to sweep that section of the river once I’m allowed access again. Might as well spend my extra time helping you, if I can.”

She nodded, looking grateful. “Then you need to be aware of a potential…complication. The person I’ve had a lot of troubles with—”

“Who thinks you’re too aggressive?”

“Yes. His name is Troy Warren. My ex-boyfriend. We dated for only a couple of months. The warning signs were there from day one. But my hormones convinced me to ignore the red flags.”

He chuckled. “Good-looking guy, I take it?”

“I thought so. But it only took a few weeks for his ugly to come out. He’s…controlling, to put it mildly. Called me all the time. Texted nonstop. Got jealous when I went out with friends, regardless of whether they were male or female. Kept showing up at my office to check on me.”

Kaden could feel his inner caveman wanting to come out, to find this Troy and give him a lesson on how to treat a woman. He reached across the table and took her hand in his. “Did he hurt you, Shanna?”

She stared at their joined hands, then gently pulled her hand back.

“Only once. I had him arrested, filed a restraining order. That was the day I broke up with him, obviously. As so many do, though, he’s largely ignored the order.

I had him arrested just a week before I came here because he kept texting, calling and showing up outside my house.

He made bail and disappeared. Haven’t heard from him since.

Honestly, the silence, not knowing where he is, has me more jumpy than when he was openly harassing me.

Which is why I felt I should warn you. I don’t know if his violence would escalate beyond what happened, given the chance.

But since you’re around me you should be careful, just in case he does show up here. I’ll text you his picture.”

“Is that why you brought your gun?”

“It definitely factored into my decision.”