Page 20 of Is Anyone Listening?
"We're looking for more atmosphere," Tessa added. "Ghost stories, local legends, that kind of thing. Facts are great, but we need the stories that make a place memorable."
Sophie smiled. "I've heard a few guests say they thought they heard voices in the night, but I'm pretty sure it was just the wind. The inn is old and creaky. It's always rattling."
"So, nothing?" Tessa asked with disappointment. "No resident ghost?"
"I don't think Mrs. Clarke would allow that. In fact, I would be careful what you write about the inn. If you say anything negative, she'd probably sue you. That inn is her whole life." Sophie straightened as the door opened, and a uniformed officer stepped up to the bar.
He had dark hair that was peppered with gray, a little too much weight in the middle and appeared to be in his fifties. He carried himself like someone used to being in charge and obeyed, and Sophie suddenly seemed a bit nervous.
"Sophie," he said with a curt nod. "Is Cole here?"
"I haven't seen him today, Sheriff," Sophie replied, and there was a carefulness in her tone that hadn't been there before.
The sheriff turned to us with a questioning gleam in his eyes. "Hello. I haven't seen you two in here before. I'm Sheriff Tom Holloway."
"I'm Tessa, and this is Cassidy," Tessa replied. "We're staying at the Stonecross Inn."
I was happy she hadn't used our last names, which seemed to be a deliberate choice on her part, probably because she didn't think I'd be able to say my fake last name without stumbling all over myself.
"How are you enjoying your stay?"
"It's been great so far," Tessa replied.
"How long are you in town?"
"Just a few days," she said.
"Sheriff," Finn said as he returned to the bar. "Can I get you something?"
"Just a coffee, thanks," Tom said, his tone clipped. "I'm looking for my son. Have you seen Cole?"
The door opened again, bringing with it a gust of cold air, and Finn said, "He's here now."
I turned to see two men approaching. The first was probably in his late forties, with an easy smile and tanned skin. The second appeared to be in his early twenties. Both looked happy and relaxed, until they saw the sheriff.
"There you are, Cole," Tom said, an edge to his voice. "I've been calling you for an hour. Where the hell were you?"
"Uncle Jeff needed me on a charter, and I left my phone in the truck," Cole said, not sounding that apologetic.
"You were supposed to be working at the boatyard this afternoon, remember? I asked Henry to give you some weekend hours so you could make extra money."
Cole's smile faded. "Oh, yeah. I forgot."
As Tom's gaze swung to Uncle Jeff, the man put up his hands in apology. "I didn't know anything about that, Tom. Cole didn't tell me."
"It's not a big deal," Cole said. "I'll apologize to Henry. I'm sure he didn't really need me anyway; he was just doing you a favor."
"And I was doing you a favor," Tom stated, anger reddening his face. "That's the last time."
"Got it," Cole said shortly. Turning to Sophie, he said, "Can I talk to you for a sec?"
She nodded and motioned toward the kitchen. Then she told Finn, "I'll be back in a second."
"I could use a beer," Jeff interjected. "Can I buy you one, Tom? Seems like you could use a drink."
"I'm on duty. And I have a coffee."
"Like you need more coffee. You need to calm down. You haven't been yourself since Diane?—"
