Shield of Refuge by Carol Steward Read Free Book Online Page B

Nick was taller and stockier than his brother, but it was Garrett’s intriguing gray eyes that really caught her attention. He and Garrett had similar mannerisms, but that was where the resemblance ended. It was too bad she had such an aversion to police officers.
    â€œMs. Scott?”
    She tore her mind from Garrett Matthews, and the temptation she had to ask Nick more questions about his brother. “Yes?”
    â€œLieutenant Chavez asked me to remind you to go by the precinct sometime today to look at mug shots and see if you can identify the suspect. If you do that, you’ll need to talk to M. J. Daniels, our artist. She works from noon to five today. I figure we should get a description of the man you saw while it’s fresh on your mind, just in case something does come of the case.”
    Realizing her nap was out of the question, she said, “Okay, so you never found the girl?”
    He shook his head. “No sign of anyone fitting that description yet…. It’s only been twelve hours, but if no one makes a report, our hands are tied.”
    Amber wrapped her arms around her body, feeling a chill of the cool autumn air at the reminder. “And the car in the alley?”
    â€œBelongs to your employee, Andrea.”
    â€œOh, I missed that, I guess….” While I was dreaming about your brother. “Thanks for checking in with us, Nick.” Just then Rachelle pulled into the alley and approached very slowly. Nick got into the squad car and drove away.
    She motioned her friend to pull up to the door, and waited to carry the boxes of costume accessories inside. “If it’s slow this morning, you could price these and hang them up out front.” Amber slipped the apron over her head, tossed it into the laundry hamper and ran up to change her clothes, then returned to finish telling her employees what needed to be done. “It seems like I’ll be gone most of the day, so don’t hesitate to call if you have questions.” She wished she could stay home and hide in bed, but that was out of the question. Especially with a vehicle to replace.
    â€œWhere do you want me to put them? You’re running out of space…” she heard CiCi say as she stepped out of the bakery, determined to get her life straightened out. She didn’t have time to deal with insurance companies and police officers. Especially the one officer she couldn’t seem to forget.

SIX
    A fter Amber picked up the rental car, she drove to the Victorian Inn to pick up the plastic cake plates and see if anyone else knew anything about the girl who drove the yellow SUV.
    She went from one business to the next, hoping someone would have seen something. “Do you know who drives the yellow SUV that’s parked out there?”
    â€œI’ve never seen it before. Who are you again?” People looked at her like she was crazy. The more she tried to explain, the crazier it sounded.
    â€œI witnessed an incident outside here. I’m hoping someone else could help identify the victim. Do you have a tall, thin college-age woman who works here? She might have come in around five-thirty yesterday.”
    â€œNo, we don’t employ college students.”
    She had the same types of responses at every stop. Not one mentioned that the police had talked to them.
    Unfortunately no one had seen or heard anything, and no one seemed interested or overly concerned.
    She went from there to the police station and asked for Officer Matthews. She needed to find out why no one had questioned local shop owners and their staff.
    â€œHe’s off today.” The uniformed officer behind the front desk looked like he was still in high school—fresh military haircut, clean-shaven face.
    She didn’t figure she’d have any luck, but asked anyway. “Do you know when he’ll be back on duty?”
    â€œI’m sorry, we can’t give out that information.”
    Amber looked