Page 104 of Solid as Steele
“Something fascinating down there?” she asked.
“Your polish,” he said, choosing to be open with her.
“Ah, that.” She paused and wiggled the toes on her right foot. “I splurged for vacation. I checked the average temps for the area and packed accordingly but foolishly hoped it might be warm enough to wear sandals.”
He sat down. “Nothing foolish about hoping. Sometimes hope is the only thing that keeps us going.”
She set the mug and plate on the table near Owen before sitting and crossing her leg to dangle her foot. “You’re talking about Cassie.”
He nodded. “My hope for finding her alive might be gone, but I can hope to find her killer and make him pay.”
“So which guy are you liking after today’s events?” She reached for her mug. “Leach or Tovar?”
He picked up the banana bread and broke off a large bite then chewed it while he gave her question some consideration.
“Good bread,” he said. “Do you think your gran will adopt me?”
“I’m sure she would. Especially if we were dating.”
His mouth fell open.
“What?” she asked. “You know a real connection and attraction has been simmering under the surface since we met. We’ve denied it, but as Ryan said, why?”
“I just…” Owen shook his head. “Maybe after I find Cassie’s killer.”
He couldn’t miss the disappointment in her eyes. So maybe she did want to get together with him. Scary and yet fantastic.
She took a sip of her coffee. “Back to my question, then. Which suspect do you like for it?”
He would answer this time to keep them out of the personal realm. “I think Tovar is higher on the list for me right now, but only because he had contact with Cassie. That could change after we have Leach in custody and can question him. I still like Leach for Bussey’s death, and after someone has killed once, they are more apt to kill again.” Owen grabbed the steaming coffee mug and blew on it. “Did you hear from Ryan after I went to the guest house?”
She nodded. “He texted at ten. Said they were hitting the hay but would update me in the morning.”
“Then that’s on hold, so after the sun rises, we go back to Tovar’s house to see if the Veritas team located anything overnight.”
She gave a heavy sigh. “I didn’t like leaving them there. Not at all. If they can’t sleep then I shouldn’t be able to either. Maybe that’s what kept me tossing and turning, not the physical pain.”
“I agree. Maybe we can do something to help them.”
“Like what? We don’t have any expertise in the forensic world, which is why they didn’t need us there.”
She was right, but… “Do you have enough supplies in the kitchen to make breakfast and take it to them?”
“Yeah, sure. I stocked up when we were in town.” She smiled. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Tiredness?”
“Could be.” She peered at him. “How good are you in the kitchen?”
“Well, um…” He probably shouldn’t have suggested something that he wouldn’t be much help with. “I can make toast without burning it.”
“A necessary skill. Can you scramble eggs too?”
“Honestly?”
She nodded.
“I’ve never done it.”
