Page 60 of Sleigh My Heart

Playing Santa was the last thing Nick would do. But if he didn't have another choice… would he? She didn't know, but by the color of his face, she wouldn’t push the issue. “Well, it’s time I start running down these leads on the paint. Also, I need to go back to Trudy’s. Junior said he was there after work. Maybe I can bump into some of Cliff’s buddies and see if I can find out more information.”

“Why don’t you wait until after work? I’ll get Dad home and situated, see if one of the neighbors can keep an eye on him, and I’ll go with you.”

He was so transparent. “I do not need a babysitter. I can take care of myself.” She pointed to her badge and gun.

“Point taken, but I still don’t think you should go to Trudy’s alone.”

She rolled her eyes. “I got work to do. I will let you know what I find out.” Michelle stood to leave.

“Here, I made you a copy in case you need it.”

“Thanks.” She took the flash drive, not meeting his eyes. She didn’t look back. If she did, she’d definitely be late for work.

***

Michelle watched the snow fall in her headlights. The sun had set a good twenty minutes ago. The standard rush-hour traffic slowed to a crawl. She had twenty more minutes on her shift, assuming she didn’t get a call. She turned toward the station. Maybe she could get the paperwork done before she headed home.

Ten minutes later, she pulled into the police station. The lot was full, as it was the end of shift. Half the vehicles would be going back out. Fridays were always busy, even in the small suburb.

Inside, she searched for her brother, no Jim, but Jordan was in his office. She popped her head in the open door. “Busy?”

“Never too busy for you. What’s up?” He set his pen down and gestured to the chair in front of his desk. Jordan may have been Jim’s twin, but the two were like night and day. Jordan was meant to be brass. He didn’t mind the extra paperwork. Jim was good at his job, but it was the puzzle of the case that excited him.

Then there was Michelle. She loved being on the street. These were her people. And while she had paperwork, when the case was processed, she handed it off. On to the next, until now. “Not much. Just saw you were still here.”

“How’s the Santa case coming?”

She was willing to bet he had read all the case notes. “It’s going.”

His chin dipped, and he waited.

She hated when he did that. Blowing out a breath, she realized this was why she’d come into his office. “Jim’s not here and…”

“You need to bounce a theory off someone?”

“Yes. I will send him an email but… I don’t know if I’m grabbing at straws or if this stuff is connected.” She filled him in on everything from Jonny and Cliff, to Russ Jolley’s accident, to her garage paint.

“What’s your gut saying?”

“You could have been a psychologist with all the questions, you know that?”

“Liz said the same thing.” He grinned. Their sister-in-law would know.

“My gut’s saying it would be a big coincidence if they weren’t. And my gut has opinions about swinging by Pete’s for a burger.”

“Agreed. Now follow the evidence, and see if there is a thread connecting them.”

“Thanks.” She stood to leave.

“Mickey.”

She paused.

“Remember, look for the threads, but keep an open mind to other prospects.”

Yeah, she always did, and that made her job as clear as mud. She nodded and went to finish her paperwork. The sooner it was done, she could go home, change, and head over to Trudy’s and look for the next piece of the puzzle.

She had told Nick she couldn’t wait until after work to go to the bar, but that was because she didn’t want him tagging along. He totally gave off big, scary military vibes with his intense glares.