Part 5 (1/2)
”To the murdered climber or Jake's past?”
”Both.”
”She's been great with Jake's past. I think the truth helped her to finally see what a great guy he is, erased all the doubts she had about him.”
Piper waited a few minutes before slicing the pie and serving them all a slice. ”Would you like whipped cream or ice cream?” she asked Anna.
”It's homemade whipped cream,” Reef said, loving that Piper always made the homemade stuff.
”You just a.s.sume it's homemade?” Piper said with a smirk.
”I know you.”
She moved for the fridge. ”I suppose you do.” She pulled the bowl out and brought it to the table.
”Fresh whipped cream sounds amazing,” Anna said as Piper scooped some on her pie. The cool cream melted as it made contact with the warm apples, making that gooey puddle Reef loved. ”And how did Kayden deal with the murdered climber?” he asked.
”It was rough, but you know Kayden.”
”She's fine.”
”You got it.”
”But how is she really?”
”She was strong as usual, but I know it bothered her. A climber killing a climber is horrible.”
”You already know who did it?”
”No, but Kayden said it had to be someone with climbing expertise.”
”The climbing community isn't going to like her going after one of their own.”
”I know, but she's got Jake with her.”
”She's tough. She could handle it on her own.”
”She could, but I think she likes having Jake along.”
”Oh no, do I hear Miss Matchmaker at play?” He took a bite of pie. Scrumptious. ”Piper, you've really outdone yourself. This pie is kicking.”
”Mm-hmm.” Anna smiled between bites. ”It's delicious.”
”Glad you're enjoying it.”
”So are you playing matchmaker?”
”Nope. I believe those two are already on their way.”
”Seriously? Kayden and Jake?”
”I think so. I see the way they look at each other.”
”Kayden's making googly eyes for Jake?” Not Kayden. She didn't make googly eyes for anyone. Not since Brody Patterson back in high school. At least not that he'd seen or Piper had reported to him.
”It's rare. I've only caught her once or twice, but believe me, she's looking at him a lot differently these days. You tell her I said that and I'll punch you.”
”I think you mean she'll punch you.” He smirked. Kayden prized her privacy above all. If she had any idea they were sitting around the table discussing her love life . . . All he could say was he was glad she was halfway to Imnek by then, though he worried what kind of reception she'd get.
7.
Kayden let Jake take the lead to the widow's door. They'd called ahead to let Mrs. Humphries know they'd be coming, but Jake insisted they arrive half an hour early. He said a lot could happen in a half hour.
Kayden was curious to know if that'd prove to be true. The Humphries place was a white two-story home with black shutters and a two-story porch, looking more Gone with the Wind than Alaskan Peninsula.
Jake rapped on the door and a young woman answered-early-to-mid twenties, pet.i.te and slender, with long dark hair pulled back in a braid.
”Deputy Wes-” Jake cleared his throat. ”Deputy Cavanagh to see Mrs. Humphries. She's expecting us.”
The woman dipped her head. ”Come in. I'll let Mrs. know you are here.”
They stepped inside the large foyer-black-and-white marble decorated the floor while white marble stairs commanded the center of the s.p.a.ce, winding up to a secondary foyer.
”Was that the d-” A faux-blonde in her upper forties. .h.i.tched at the sight of them.
Stuart Anderson followed immediately behind Mrs. Humphries, also stopping short at their presence.
”Mr. Anderson.” Jake smiled. ”Nice to see you again.”
”I'm here for Vivienne, of course. To be a comfort during this tragic time.”
Jake linked his hands behind his back and nodded. ”Of course.” He glanced between Stuart and Humphries' widow. Even Kayden didn't miss the casual affection of Stuart's hand resting protectively against the small of Vivienne Humphries' back. Interesting.
Vivienne smoothed her silk blouse. ”Why don't we sit in the parlor.” She gestured to the front room on their left, her two-inch heels clacking along the tiles as she led them in. The room was appointed with burgundy and gold furnis.h.i.+ngs. Kayden would have found the decor overbearing if it weren't for the openness of the s.p.a.ce. The south-facing wall was floor-to-ceiling windows, and strategically placed mirrors on the opposite wall magnified the effect, resulting in the appearance of a much larger s.p.a.ce than what actually existed.
Stuart moved to sit beside Vivienne on the large burgundy sofa.
Jake leaned forward. ”We need to speak with Mrs. Humphries alone.”
Vivienne glanced nervously at Stuart.
He squeezed her hand. ”I'll be in the next room if you need me.”
She nodded.
”It's kind of Mr. Anderson to be here for you,” Kayden said as Stuart excused himself from the room.