Part 3 (2/2)
Kirra lifted her chin in greeting. She was average height and build, with shoulder-length blond hair she typically wore in a braid and vibrant blue eyes-the only remnant of her once-vibrant countenance.
When Kirra had returned after graduation a little over a year ago, she had been different. Maybe it was a result of her parents moving away to deal with her mother's health issues and her taking over the vet practice from her father rather than partnering with him, as they had planned, but Kayden didn't know that for sure. She only knew that something had moved Kirra from vibrant to guarded.
”You're here earlier than usual,” Kirra said, slipping her hands into the pockets of her white vet coat.
Kayden glanced at her watch. Only by twenty minutes. ”I have a feeling today's going to be a busy one.” She planned on finis.h.i.+ng up at Kirra's, heading home for a quick shower, and then going straight to the ME's office, praying the results were in by then and she could feel a sample of the chalk for herself. Simply holding the chalk would tell her so much-texture, consistency, etc.
She had no doubt Booth's lab results would show discrepancies in the chalk, whether because of poor quality or something more sinister-either way, something wasn't right.
”Thanks for still taking time to stop by,” Kirra said.
”Absolutely, and I can come back by tonight too.”
”No need to come twice. Carol will be here from eight to four.”
Carol Jones was such a blessing. After Kirra's parents had left for Juneau, the canine shelter had been staffed by Kirra, herself, Jill from Cole's youth group in the evenings, and the occasional volunteer or service group. Having Carol now volunteering on a regular basis during the day made covering the basics so much easier.
”I don't mind coming back.” Kayden watched the dogs eating voraciously around her. ”They need the exercise.” She bent down and signaled Rex, her favorite, to come. The husky jaunted over, excitement dancing in his ten-year-old eyes. She rubbed him behind the ear. ”Plus it gives me an excuse to exercise.”
”Like you need an excuse.” Kirra laughed. ”You're a workout machine. Just like Rex here. Maybe that's why you two get along so well.”
Apparently Rex didn't play so well with the other volunteers, but she and Rex, they understood one another.
”Ready, boy?” She crouched.
He pawed the ground.
”Set.” She smiled.
He howled.
”Go.” She burst into a run, Rex flying beside her, the sun just peeking over the horizon. Life didn't get much better than this.
Jake rapped on the morgue's gla.s.s outer doors, his breath faintly visible in the early dawn air. Hard to believe they were going to reach a high near sixty-five today, but that's what the weather forecast claimed. He'd be glad for it.
Last summer they'd had an exceptionally warm streak by Yancey standards. Unfortunately, this one seemed to be following the norm-average daily highs in the low sixties.
Booth Powell waved from the end of the hall-his lanky physique silhouetted by the dim fluorescent lighting overhead.
With a rare smile, he sauntered to the doors, unlocked them, and welcomed Jake in.
”I hear it's official,” Booth said.
”What's that?' Jake asked, stepping inside. The long tile hall still held the chill of night and death.
”Deputy Cavanagh.” Booth turned, heading back for the exam room.
Jake halted at the name. Until recently, it had been more than four years since he'd gone by Cavanagh. After Becca's and his baby's deaths, after Joel Mark.u.m's death and his wife's imprisonment, after leaving his job and Boston behind, he'd left his surname behind, too, going instead by his middle name-his mother's maiden name. He'd hoped to leave as much of his old self as possible dead and buried in Boston, just as Becca and their baby were.
And now he was Jake Cavanagh again. The McKennas, and all of Yancey by now, knew the truth of his fractured past.
Reining in his thoughts, he followed Booth into the exam room. Conrad Humphries lay on the cold steel table, covered with a sheet from the neck down.
”Come on back to my office. I heard the fax machine start up when you knocked.”
”Think the results are in?”
”Here's hoping.” Booth moved for the printer tray.
Fresh coffee dripped into the pot of a coffee maker on the counter.
”Mind if I grab a cup?”
”Help yourself.” Booth took a seat behind his desk, his eyes scanning the information.
”Thanks.” Jake grabbed a Styrofoam cup and pulled the pot out. ”So is that it?”
”Uh-huh.”
”And?”
”And looks like you've got your first murder case as deputy.”
Jake shut his eyes as he poured the coffee-the cup warming in his hand-and opened them just before the liquid spilled over. As much as his instincts clamored to be part of an investigation again-fully part of one-he couldn't help but fear the past would repeat itself. He wasn't meant to be a cop, no matter how deeply he longed for it. It wasn't safe-not for those he loved.
But he was helping those he loved this time, wasn't he? Landon was short staffed. Kayden needed someone with her when Landon inevitably sent her to question people at the gym where Conrad purchased his chalk. Time alone with Kayden. It was like a dream come true. Who would have thought it would have come through a murder case?
”You with me, Jake?” Booth asked.
”Yeah.” Jake returned the coffeepot to its warmer. ”You going to call Landon?”
”Figured you could let him know, since you're the deputy in charge.”
He nodded. It was strange how easily Booth and the McKennas accepted his past, accepted the job he'd done for so long.
”I know someone else you'd better tell.”
Kayden. She'd been right. It didn't surprise him, though. She knew climbing, and everything related to it.
”Speaking of the lady.” Booth nodded toward the gla.s.s front doors and grinned over the edge of the paper. He, more than anybody, seemed to enjoy the idea of pairing Jake and Kayden.
”Morning, boys,” she said, sauntering in. She leaned against the doorjamb. ”Any news?”
”Booth was just getting ready to explain,” Jake said, giving the ME the floor.
<script>