Starting Over at Lane's End (Harlequin Heartwarming) by Shelley Galloway Read Free Book Online Page B

of work made him remember her reason for visiting. “Melissa said you have some more questions for her? Why?”
    “No specific reason. I’m just following standard procedure.”
    Cary didn’t buy that for a second. Gen didn’t seem the type to put off stacks of reports just to follow the rules.
    Before he could question her reasoning, the back door slammed. “Uncle Cary, Sludge almost attacked me when I walked through the back door. I swear, he almost ate my—oh.”
    Gen stood up. “Hi, there, Melissa.”
    “Hi.” As she stepped closer to Cary, Gen couldn’t help but admire the girl’s outfit. Dressed in a snug designer T-shirt and low-riding jeans, Melissa looked as if she’d stepped out of one of the trendy teen-store catalogues. Her thick blond hair was pulled up in a messy knot, the kind young girls could pull off in a second, but older women tried for hours to emulate.
    After they all sat down, Melissa looked at Gen’s notebook as if it were about to erupt into flames any second.
    Gen cleared her throat. “Melissa, I’m just looking for a bit more information on the night of the incident, okay? Since it’s not clear whether someone wanted to slash your tires specifically or if this person randomly chose your car, I think we should further investigate who might want to do such a thing.”
    “I already told you I don’t know.”
    “Melissa—”
    “It’s okay,” Gen interrupted, seeing that Cary was about to reprimand Melissa for being snippy. The girl’s obstinate tone felt familiar to Gen. She didn’t like being pressed for information, either. But the cop in her knew that more questions needed to be asked. “I know this is frustrating, but I’m on your side. Is there anything you can think of that might help?” she asked, her voice gentle. “There might be something new you remember since that night. Let’s start at the beginning.”
    Melissa groaned. “But—”
    Gen looked directly at Melissa. “Please?”
    Melissa slumped. “All right.”
    “You sure you don’t want anything to drink, Gen?” Cary said.
    “Actually, I think I will have a glass of water,” she said, catching his eye. The look that passed between them showed that they were both on the same page. This was fixing to be a long meeting.
    * * *
    A S M ELISSA ANSWERED questions, Gen tried to pretend that this was just a usual interview. From the moment she’d seen Cary again she’d felt that same pull toward him that she’d felt every other time they’d come in contact. He was attractive. And...nice.
    When he’d asked her how she was, Gen had been tempted to tell him about her conversation with Margaret, how Bonnie had given her cookies. How things were going better at the station now that she’d decided to let down her guard a little bit.
    But all that seemed too weird. What if he was merely being friendly and thought she was coming on too strong?
    Belatedly Gen realized Cary and Melissa were waiting for her to speak. Gen cleared her throat. “Melissa, perhaps you could tell me what you do on a usual day. Who are your friends?”
    “Well, first, I’m up every morning at five to get ready for school. Then I leave the house by six-forty.”
    “Do you pick up anyone on the way to school?”
    “No, my dad won’t let me. He says cars full of teenagers can be dangerous.”
    “He’s right. So you never give anyone a ride?”
    “Nope. Well, the only time I’ve done it is when Amy Blythe missed the bus last Monday and she needed a ride.” Meeting Cary’s gaze, she rolled her eyes. “That was a disaster.”
    “Why?”
    Melissa grimaced. “My dad made me pick her up.”
    “Amy’s a bit of a loner so doesn’t have a lot of friends,” Cary interjected. “Dean and I have asked Melissa to be nice to her.”
    “I was nice, but Amy kept wanting to listen to some lousy music station. When I told her to leave my stereo alone, she got all bent out of shape. Once we got to school, she practically broke my car door