What Janie Saw(40)

                “Okay, I’m not always nice, but sometimes it isn’t an option. I’ve been trying to meet with Nathan since last Wednesday. First he had the accident and the DEA and feds to deal with. But ever since we’ve been playing phone tag around my commitments and his. We should have been able to connect, somehow.”

                “Is he avoiding you?”

                “No, we’re just busy, and the immediate takes precedence over the past. In this case, however, the past seems to be very much alive.”

                The young cop pulled up beside them, rolled down the window, and said, “I’ll see you in ten minutes.”

                “He may be new,” Janie noted, “but he’s already good at telling people what to do.”

                “It comes with the territory.” Rafe opened the passenger door and gestured for her to get in.

                “Typical cop,” Janie said.

                “I take it,” Rafe responded, sounding oddly subdued, “that’s not a compliment.”

                Before Janie could retract her statement, or even feel guilty about making it, the young officer stopped and called Rafe over.

                Janie climbed into Rafe’s Jeep and pushed aside the folders left on the passenger seat. Pulling her phone from her purse, she texted Katie her whereabouts and settled in to wait.

                When he returned, he was smiling. She waited until he’d started the SUV, exited the college parking lot and merged into traffic before asking, “What’s so funny?”

                Pointing at the squad car that was already pulling onto the street, Rafe said. “Kid’s worried. He hasn’t yet told Nathan that I’m along for the ride, nor that you and I seem very comfortable with each other.”

                “We’re not comfortable—”

                “Oh, yes, we are. We’re on a first-name basis already. In cop-speak, that means you consider me the lead on the case, and Nathan very much considers himself the lead. Except I’m the one who had you look at CopLink for people who had connections to Derek, and I’m the one who found the second art book.”

                “I’m the one who found it, technically.”

                “Yes, and Nathan very much wants to be involved in whatever happens next, especially if it’s some sort of clue or lead provided by you. Nope, he’s not happy that I’m along for his very first face-to-face with you.”

                “But you’re helping him.” Janie was amazed. “You’re trying to work together. You’re the sheriff.”

                “I’m not his sheriff,” he reminded her. “So my involvement is starting to annoy him. Still, you gotta admire his backbone. I mean, we have a police escort. Wow.”

                She’d never understand the male species. Rafe acted somewhat rejuvenated by the situation. All Janie wanted to do was find Nathan Williamson and give him what for. He should have met with her last Thursday, as he’d requested, and asked his questions then. He should have found time to work with Rafe, at a reasonable hour, instead of waiting until now, when she was tired and wanted to go to bed.

                Rafe didn’t seem to mind the late hour at all.

                While they drove, Janie filled him in on Jimmy’s visit to the zoo, paused, and then asked, “Do you think there’s more to Detective Williamson’s recent actions than just being busy?”