Page 43 of K-9 in Pursuit

“Did you find out if Sharee’s house keys are at the sheriff’s department?” she asked.

“Sharee didn’t have any keys with her when she was found.”

“She had her keys with her when she left that night,” Chloe said. “I’m sure of it.”

“Maybe so, but they still weren’t with her when she was found.”

Chloe swallowed hard. She couldn’t speak.

“Does that mean the person who broke into Chloe’s apartment is the same person who killed Sharee?” Brian asked. “They took Sharee’s keys and used them to get into the apartment?”

“Why do you think they would do that?” Renfro asked.

“I don’t know,” Brian said. “Because they thought Sharee had something of theirs? Or because they wanted to frighten Chloe?”

Chloe gripped Brian’s arm. “Do you think Sharee’s murderer is after me?”

“I don’t think you need to concern yourself with that,” Renfro said. “But you do need to find somewhere else to stay for a couple of nights.”

“Of course.” But in the back of her head she was envisioning her bank account drained by the cost of two nights at a hotel in a resort town during peak season.

Brian waited until Renfro had left before he spoke. “You can stay with me.”

“You don’t have to do that, Brian. I’ll find someplace to stay.” Maybe she could sleep on the massage table at the spa.

“You shouldn’t be by yourself,” he said. “And I’ll feel a lot better if I’m sure you’re safe. Which you will be at my place. It’s a ways out of town, and we have Daisy.”

The dog looked up at her name. Chloe almost smiled. “She doesn’t look very threatening.”

“No, but she can be loud when she needs to be. That alone would scare someone away.”

“That’s really sweet of you, but I could call one of my stylists to put me up.”

“It’s okay,” he said. “I can sleep on the couch. And you won’t have to explain yourself to anyone at my place.”

Relief replaced a little bit of her fear. “Thank you. I’d like that.”

ALL BRIAN WANTED was to get Chloe to safety. Away from the devastation inside her apartment. Away from the accusing looks from law enforcement officers, or the open curiosity of neighbors who had emerged from their apartments to stare. They drove in silence out of town, down a narrow road that led to a vineyard. His trailer sat on a lot overlooking the neat rows of dormant grapevines, snow collecting on the graceful loops of vines like tiers of lace curtains. Half a dozen similar mobile homes were scattered among the rows of fruit. A previous owner had painted Brian’s trailer a deep teal, and replaced the metal shutters with redwood. “This is cute,” Chloe said as she emerged from the truck.

“Thanks.” He led the way up the steps to the small front porch and unlocked the door. “I had a chance to buy it, cheap. I don’t own the lot, but the trailer is mine. Home sweet mobile home.”

The space was small—living room in the center, kitchen and dining to the left, the single bedroom and bath on the right. The furniture had come with the place, comfortable but shabby, a lot of clutter and dust. “It’s not fancy, but no one will bother you here,” he said, hoping he was right.

He swept a pile of clothing from the sofa. “Have a seat. Or would you like to take a shower first?”

“I don’t have anything to change into,” she said.

“I can find you something of mine.”

She sank onto the sofa. Daisy immediately jumped up beside her and laid her head in Chloe’s lap. “Maybe in a bit. Right now I just want to sit here.” She began stroking Daisy’s head. The dog’s eyes drifted shut.

Brian sat on her other side. “Would you like something to drink. Tea? Whiskey?”

She forced a smile, though her eyes remained sad. “Nothing right now.”

He fell silent, listening to her breathing. The events of the day were catching up to him, and he had to fight to keep his own eyes open.

“Tell me about the avalanche,” she said.