Page 63 of Lost Hours
Her phone dinged as she disappeared into the room, making Nolan curious. But if it was important she would tell him. Instead, he gestured for Daisy to have a seat. He sat across from her. “How are you holding up, Daisy?”
A soft smile spread across her thinning lips. “You’re just the sweetest for asking. Mina’s lucky to have you in her life.”
“I don’t know if being sweet is a positive trait for a deputy.” He chuckled.
“Oh, that. No.” She waved a hand with a sparkling amethyst ring. “I’m not talking about being a deputy. I’m talking about what’s going on between the two of you.”
His mouth started to fall open, and he clamped it closed until he recovered from the surprise of her comment. “There’s nothing going on between us that isn’t professional.”
“You may not be acting on your feelings, but there’s a definite chemistry between you two.” She leaned forward. “I’m not one to gossip, but it always finds its way to my office. I heard that you had a summer romance a few years back.”
Nolan shifted uncomfortably, considering his response. He liked Daisy. She wasn’t a gossip but was well-meaning. “I figured when Mina deputized me that people would bring up our past again.”
“Like I said, I don’t pass information like this along, but word on the street is that you left her without saying goodbye.”
“Not that I feel like I need to defend myself”—though he actually felt like hedidneed to with Daisy—“but I was suddenly called back to duty at the White House and was unable to say goodbye to her in person. I left a note with the hotel desk clerk to give to her. Problem is, he didn’t pass it on.”
She firmed her jaw. “I figured there was more to the story than what I was hearing. I pride myself in being able to judge someone’s character. I might only have met you a few times, but I know you’re a wonderful man.”
A rush of blood heated his neck and face under her compliment. He said the first thing that came to mind that didn’t have to do with his botched summer with Mina. “I didn’t know if we would still catch you in the office.”
“Normally I’m gone by now,” she tipped her head toward the door to the mayor’s office, “but I’m not going to leave that man alone in there with all of our confidential documents.”
Nolan loved her fierce determination to protect the information even when it wasn’t necessary. “I’m sure it’s okay to leave him alone here. He wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t trustworthy. He works for a reputable agency and has likely undergone a variety of background checks and criminal searches.”
“I don’t know.” Daisy sniffed. “He seems a little bit too laid-back to be trusted.”
He almost laughed at her logic, but he controlled himself. “Since when is being laid-back something that means you aren’t trustworthy?”
She let out a long sigh. “I guess I’m just being protective of the mayor’s things since he’s not here to protect them himself.”
Nolan gave her an understanding nod. “I know you were a fine assistant to him, and he was lucky to have you.”
Tears formed in her eyes. Nolan grabbed a tissue to hand to her, but he didn’t know what to say to make things better for her. Thankfully, Mina returned.
She took a seat in the other chair facing Daisy’s desk. “Did Mayor Sutton tell you that he had cancer?”
“Cancer? Ernie?” Daisy’s eyelashes fluttered. “He didn’t say anything about that.” She lowered her arms to her chair as if it was too difficult to hold them up. “Was it bad?”
“Terminal, according to the medical examiner.”
“Why wouldn’t he have told me?” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I could’ve helped him through any treatments he was having.” She twisted the tissue in her fingers. “Seems like he wanted to handle it on his own.”
“I think you’re right,” Nolan said, hoping to ease her discomfort. “We don’t know that he’s told anyone, but then again, we still haven’t located Becca to ask her.”
“Well, hopefully hedidtell her, and she was at his side.” Daisy leaned back in her chair. “That could explain his weight loss. The secretive calls too. The cryptic calendar entries could’ve been doctor’s appointments. He could’ve been talking to doctors when I stepped into his office. And even the hotel bill could be for a stay in Portland for medical tests or a procedure.”
“You could be right on all of that.” Mina gave an encouraging smile. “But also, if he was romantically involved with a woman, then he could’ve told her about the cancer, and she was at his side.”
Daisy clutched the strand of pearls at her neck. “I’d hate to think he wouldn’t trust me with such a big thing, but I know Ernie had his reasons for everything he did.”
Mina got out her phone and held it out to Daisy. “This is a sketch of the woman who had lunch with Ernie.”
Nolan sat forward to see it too. This must be the text she received when she’d gone to talk to Dylan.
“Do you recognize her?” she asked.
“Yes.” Daisy’s head flashed up. “That’s Janice James. Ernie’s personal attorney.”
