Identity Unknown by Terri Reed Read Free Book Online Page A

take some vacation, so we rotate through, each taking a week off. Sometimes I stick around to catch up on reading or binge watch movies.”
    That sounded good to him. “And other times?”
    â€œA warm beach with warm water.”
    Sun and sand. That sounded good to him. “I could go for a hot day in the Caribbean about now.”
    She slanted him a glance. “You’ve been?”
    He could picture crystal clear waters, beaches that stretched for miles and sea turtles swimming just below the surface. Memories? Or data stored in his brain from flipping through a travel magazine?
    Frustration beat a steady rhythm behind his forehead. “Don’t know.”
    There weren’t many pedestrians out on the main street running through the holiday-decorated town. He wondered where he’d be spending Christmas if he hadn’t nearly been fish bait. “It’s peaceful today.”
    â€œYes. Yesterday’s events were very dramatic for our town. Most people are staying off the streets.”
    A rush of guilt swamped him. “I’m sorry about that. Sorry I washed up on your shore and brought danger to your community.”
    Audrey brought her patrol car to a halt outside a restaurant called Franny O’Flannery’s. She looked him in the eye. “I’m not. The alternative would mean you were dead.”
    Her words poked at him, reminding him how close he had come to death. And thanks to this woman, he was still here. He unbuckled and put his hand on the door handle.
    â€œNope,” Audrey said. “Stay put. Fran will bring our order to us.”
    â€œCurbside service?” he remarked, studying her. Normal or had the deputy asked Fran for the courtesy?
    â€œPerks of a small town. Here we go,” she said just as a knock on the window jarred his attention away from her face.
    An older woman bent down to peer inside the cruiser. Her lined face was a wreath of smiles and her dark blue eyes regarded him with curiosity. He hit the button on the door panel, and the window slid silently down. A rush of cold air hit him in the face, along with the briny smells of the ocean. But he also caught the aroma of fried food, and his hunger returned with a vengeance.
    â€œMorning, Fran.” Audrey leaned over him to talk to the woman at the window, bringing with her a whiff of apple shampoo.
    His stomach muscles contracted. His hand tightened around the door handle to keep from reaching up to touch her golden hair.
    â€œGood morning, Audrey,” Fran returned. “I see you have a guest.”
    â€œIndeed I do,” Audrey replied. “This is John. John, Fran O’Flannery. She makes the best crab cakes in the whole state.”
    Fran grinned. “I don’t know about that, but they are popular. Welcome to Calico Bay, John. Are you here on business—” the woman slanted an assessing glance at Audrey “—or pleasure?”
    For some odd reason, heat infused his cheeks. Clearly Fran wondered if there was something going on between him and the pretty deputy. “I’m not sure.” What business would he have had been doing dressed as a commando wannabe?
    â€œHow much do I owe you?” Audrey said before straightening.
    Fran handed him the large bag of food. The delicious smells made his insides cramp and his mouth salivate.
    â€œI’ll put it on your tab. You can swing by later to settle up.”
    â€œMuch obliged, Fran,” Audrey said. “Give Don my regards.”
    â€œWill do. Stay safe.” Fran walked back into the restaurant.
    â€œThat was nice of her to let you pay later,” John commented.
    â€œYeah, well, she knows where I live.” Audrey started up the car and continued to the sheriff’s station, a square white building with the fire department on one side and a large steepled church on the other. Audrey parked in front and led him inside, through a lobby where a woman sat behind a Plexiglas