Part 2 (1/2)
”Is that really necessary?” Jake asked, his mind flas.h.i.+ng back to his first swearing-in ceremony. He'd been so young and c.o.c.ky. Life had kicked that out of him-or at least a good portion of it.
”Gotta make it official.” Landon proceeded with deputizing Jake as Kayden and her siblings watched.
When they wrapped up, Landon grabbed a gun and badge from his truck's glove box, handing them to Jake.
Jake c.o.c.ked his head. ”Were you that confident I'd say yes?”
”I knew if I ever really needed your help, I could count on you.” Landon clapped him on the back.
Jake prayed that was true, but Becca had believed she could count on him, too, and he'd let her down terribly.
4.
Jake held the door for Kayden as she stepped into Tariuk's Ranger Station Four. Having worked search and rescue for years, Kayden and all of her siblings were well acquainted with the various stations and the rangers who staffed them. Ryan Aikens stood at the communications station, relaying the incoming weather report to the rangers out in the field. ”Weather service says a stronger front is moving in. High winds and heavy downpours.”
”Roger that,” the men replied, almost as one voice.
Ryan set the radio back on the clip and turned to face them. ”Hey there.”
”Hey, yourself,” Kayden said.
”Landon said you found the downed climber?”
She nodded.
”Anderson's pretty upset, but I didn't tell him his friend is dead.”
She nodded. ”Probably for the best.”
”Where is he?” Jake asked.
”Back in the break room. Wasn't the least bit happy about being told to stay put.”
She sighed. ”That should make this go a whole lot smoother.”
”Landon coming?” Ryan looked past Jake.
”Nope. Just me and Deputy Jake,” Kayden said with a smile.
Ryan crossed his arms with a grin. ”So Landon finally talked you into signing up?”
”Just until this gets sorted out.”
”Uh-huh.” Ryan chuckled.
”You got anything warm to drink?” She asked, a chill nipping at her.
”Coffee's in the kitchen, and there's hot water if you wanna make tea or cocoa. Matt brought some of his herbal junk in yesterday.”
She moved toward the kitchen. ”Ignoring the insult in that. Herbal tea's a whole lot better for you than coffee.”
”Knew that'd push a b.u.t.ton.” Ryan chuckled to Jake, and she slowed her step to hear if he responded. If he did, it wasn't verbally, and his footsteps came quickly behind her.
”How do you want to approach this?” she asked, her gaze pinned on the break-room door.
”You start with the climbing questions. Approach him as you see best, and I'll jump in if necessary.”
”All right.” Never in a million years did she think she'd be paired with Jake on an inquiry.
She pushed open the door to find a man pacing. ”Mr. Anderson?”
He looked up. ”Finally.” He rushed forward. ”How's Conrad?”
”Mr. Anderson, I suggest you take a seat.” She gestured to the round wooden table and the four mismatched chairs encircling it.
”No.” He shook his head. ”Not until I get answers. I've been waiting for hours.”
Kayden looked at Jake, and he nodded. She exhaled. She hated this part. ”Mr. Anderson, I'm very sorry to inform you that Conrad Humphries is dead.”
”Dead?” His face paled. ”I knew it was a hard fall, but . . .”
Kayden pulled out a chair. ”Why don't you sit.”
He looked at her, confused. ”Who are you?”
She extended her hand. ”Kayden McKenna.”
He was older. Upper forties, perhaps early fifties. Tall, lean, slightly balding. He shook her hand, but instead of meeting her eyes, he stared straight past her at Jake. ”And you're the sheriff?”
”No, I'm a deputy.”
She'd witnessed a glimpse of Jake as investigator during the cruise s.h.i.+p case. He was highly enticing in his natural element, even more than usual. And now she had been given the pleasure of investigating with him. A tingle of antic.i.p.ation shot through her.
Stuart shook his head. ”I can't believe . . .” He swallowed. ”Vivienne. Have you told Vivienne yet?”
Kayden arched her brows. ”Vivienne?”
”Conrad's wife. She's going to be devastated. I should go to her.” He started for the door.
Jake intercepted his path. ”I'm afraid we need to ask you some questions first.”
Stuart stilled. ”Questions? About what?”
Kayden moved to face him. ”What happened on today's climb?”
”What about it? I already told the ranger and the sheriff over the phone.”