Page 11 of Sleigh My Heart

“Nick, you were a problem solver in the military, right?”

Silver had no idea of Nick’s true military missions. His resume only stated he was a specialist.

“Russ is always so proud of you. I know you can’t talk about the things you did, but I need your help.”

Leerily, Nick listened.

Silver leaned in, absolute determination in his eyes. “I need you to do whatever it takes to get that sleigh back.”

“Sir—”

“Nick. Please, I know you can do this.” He dropped back into his chair. “Look around. Each year we have more and more empty stores, less revenue. We have sunk two-thirds of our marketing budget into this event. And the reindeer. Those furry creatures are costing me a fortune. Not to mention the repair I just had done on the sleigh.” Silver’s expression brightened. “Maybe Santa could ride in on one of the reindeer.”

A vision of his father being bucked off, narrowly missing the antlers, had him vetoing that idea. But what else did the man say? “Repair? When did this happen? I don’t remember Dad working on the sleigh recently.”

“A week ago. And he didn’t. I had it taken to a welding shop to fix a ski.”

“Where?” He didn’t need to be a cop to know they would want to talk to that shop.

“It’s the welding place off Division Street.” His boss’s eyes pleaded.

Honor and loyalty stirred in his gut. Mr. Silver was a friend of his father’s. His dad’s livelihood was on the line, and then there was Ava. She was so excited about the real Santa with the sleigh and reindeer. Well, fuck.

Nick pushed off his chair and stood. “I’m on it.”

***

Michelle stirred her station coffee with a candy cane. She took a sip. Meh. Not as good as a fancy holiday latte, but maybe it would shoo away the dread creeping in. Her morning started its downward spin with a text from her brother, but the speed of the slide increased to a full-on bobsled when she got the email from her sergeant informing her of the assignment to aid in the sleigh case. She should report to Detective Jim Swenson first thing this morning.

She closed her eyes and took a gulp of the sweet sludge. Any other time, she would welcome the change of pace… but not this time.

“Who peed in your eggnog?” Detective Ryan Daniels nudged her shoulder as he passed.

She threw him a sparkling smile. “All’s well.” But some spiked eggnog might be on the menu after work.

“Really? Then tell your face.” He sat on the bench across from her. “I know the calls are hectic this time of year. I remember the holiday shifts.”

“Yeah, this is your second year with stripes. How are you liking it?”

“It’s as busy, just a different caseload. But back to you. What’s with the grumpy face? I thought you liked the holidays?”

“I do. I bought my nephews the loudest gifts I could find. It will drive my sisters nuts.” She grinned.

Daniels smiled. No words. He would wait her out. Damn it.

She downed the last of her coffee and tossed the cup in the trash. “I am assigned to work on the dead Santa case.”

“Which one?”

Oh right. She’d forgotten they had the stabbing last week of the bell ringing Kringle. “The sleigh one.”

“Jim’s case. You don’t want to work with family?”

“That’s not it. It’s just… It’s something else. I’m sure it will be fine.” She hated getting personal at work. Jokes—sure. Gossip—of course. But her life—hell no.

“It will. You’re a bad-ass police officer. And your ex will be kicking himself over letting you go.” Ryan stood.

“How…?”