Christmas Haven. Hope White

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      “What are you doing down here?” he said, but he had a pretty good idea.

      “I’m… I couldn’t sleep so I went for a walk.”

      “Uh-huh. With your backpack?” He released her, but she clung to his jacket for a second longer than necessary.

      Then she let go. “Are you stalking me?”

      “That’s an odd way of putting it.”

      “How did you know I was here?” She took a step back, then shot a nervous glance over her shoulder.

      “I saw you leave the house.”

      “You were watching me?”

      “Hey, Chief! She okay?” the man called from the pier.

      Morgan waved. “She’s fine, Ray, thanks.”

      “Who’s that?” Julie asked.

      “Don’t you remember Ray Carlisle? He owns Klinger Drugs?”

      “I…I didn’t recognize him.”

      More like she assumed he was out to hurt her.

      “We need to talk.” Morgan glanced at his watch. “The Turnstyle staff is usually there by now. Let’s get some coffee.”

      “No, I have to…”

      “What? Catch a bus?”

      She glanced at the water. With his forefinger and thumb to her chin, he turned her face to look him in the eye. “You were going where, exactly? And you were skipping out on your mom?”

      Her golden eyes challenged him. “It’s none of your business.”

      “You’re in my town. It’s my business. Now, come on.” He motioned for her to take the next set of stairs up to the street level.

      Ethan had called Morgan with some interesting information. Jules had reported a missing teenager, a week later reported an abduction of a second boy and her office had been broken into.

      Morgan guessed whatever was going on had motivated her return to Port Whisper, and her escape number this morning.

      Escape. That’s how she’d described leaving town ten years ago. She’d wanted to escape small-town life and do something important.

      Whatever important work she was into had landed her in trouble. Ethan said the cops were looking into the abduction but it wasn’t easy tracking kids who didn’t want to be found. They also had no leads on the office break-in.

      It wouldn’t be easy confronting Julie about her situation. He assumed she hadn’t shared the details with her mother. Jules tended to be like that, wanting to help others, but not being able to accept help in return.

      They walked in silence the two blocks to the Turnstyle Coffee Shop. The sign read Closed, but he knew Anna and Lew, the owner, were prepping to open. They always opened for him if he needed a cup of caffeine. Today he needed more than just one. He wanted to be clearheaded so he could interrogate Julie and get answers.

      “They’re not open yet,” she said, shoving her hands into her jacket pockets.

      Morgan tapped on the window. Anna poked her head out of the kitchen, waved and headed for the door. She was a nice woman and Morgan enjoyed spending time with her, yet he’d been up front with Anna, told her he wasn’t ready for a serious relationship. He sensed she ignored his warning.

      Anna swung open the door, her eyes brightening. “Hi, Morgan.” They hugged and he broke it off a little quicker than usual.

      “Anna, this is Julie Burns. Julie, Anna.”

      As the women shook hands, Anna narrowed her eyes. “Burns as in Edith’s daughter?”

      “Yes,” Julie said.

      Anna shot Morgan a quick glance. She knew, as did most everyone in town, about Morgan and Julie. Once upon a time they were in love, named the couple most likely to marry, settle down and raise a family in Port Whisper.

      “Nice to meet you,” Anna said.

      “Coffee ready?” Morgan asked.

      “You bet. Come in.”

      Morgan motioned for Julie to slide into a booth.

      “You want coffee too, Julie?”

      “Sure.”

      With an odd curl of her lips, Anna headed back to the kitchen.

      “You dated her, didn’t you?” Julie said.

      “I’m the one asking the questions.”

      “Morgan—”

      “I spoke with the Seattle P.D.”

      Julie leaned back in the booth and crossed her arms over her chest. “Why?”

      “Because I need to know what’s going on if I’m going to protect you.”

      “I don’t need your protection.” She glanced out the window.

      “No? Then what do you need?”

      “To catch the commuter bus and get out of town.”

      “What will that accomplish?”

      She shrugged.

      “No more shrugging, silent treatment and crossing your arms over your chest. It’s time to be honest with me, Jules. I know you filed a police report about a missing boy, I know about the break-in at work and I know you reported an abduction. Fill me in here.”

      She looked straight at him. “No.”

      “No?”

      “I can’t divulge that kind of information.”

      “I’m not asking for personal information about the teenagers. I’m asking about what you reported to police. And why you ran.”

      “Here you go,” Anna said, sliding two coffee mugs on the table. She poured Morgan’s coffee, then Julie’s. “So, you in town long?”

      “No,” Jules answered.

      “Yes,” Morgan countered.

      “Okay, then.” Anna eyed them. “Just yell if you need a warmup.”

      Julie’s gaze followed Anna into the back, as if making sure she was out of earshot.

      “Spill it,” Morgan said.

      “I don’t want to get you involved in this. I probably shouldn’t have come back. I realize that now.”

      “But СКАЧАТЬ