Before she could protest, the door swung closed behind the infuriating man.
Jocelyne could take care of herself. She didnt need a man waiting on her or treating her like she was fragile or unable to fend for herself. She was an expectant mother and soon would have a baby to look after. Shed darn well better get tough to take care of her child. Pulling her thoughts out of the dining room, where Andrei gathered food, she set a pen to the paper and wrote.
In a few minutes, she had half a page of names. All people she knew or had grown up with. The acids roiled in her empty belly, a sinking feeling killing her appetite. Was the Seaside Strangler one of them?
Her hand hovered over the names of people she knew who frequented the inn. By the time Andrei returned with a plate of scrambled eggs and toast and set it down beside her, shed finished, the effort exhausting her more than she wanted to admit.
Andrei leaned over her shoulder and peered down at the list.
His proximity made her nerves jangle. The thought of a killer amongst them, coupled with a hunky cop hanging over her shoulder, gave her a panic attack that threatened to overwhelm her. She pushed back, bumping into Andrei as she rose. I need to finish with the breakfast crowd.
Andrei handed her the plate. Take the food with you. You need to eat. When she took the plate, his hand fell to her arm. Lets keep this between the two of us. The less people who know about the henbane the better chance we have of finding our killer.
What about my mother?
Promise me you wont tell anyone, including her.
She nodded, her stomach knotting into a tight clench. If she didnt get some food in her empty stomach, shed embarrass herself in front of him.
Eat. Well talk later. He dropped his hand from her arm and left the kitchen through the back door.
ANDREI STRODE INTO THE RCPD half an hour later, a scowl marring his brow. Captain!
In here! Captain Swanson shouted from inside his office.
Without acknowledging the other policemen scattered around the building, Andrei made a beeline for the captain, entering his office without waiting to be invited. After he closed the door behind him, he paced in front of his supervisors desk. I found the source.
The captain leaned forward. So soon?
Hazel Baker has an herb garden in the basement of Cliffside Inn. Andrei stopped pacing and faced him. Henbane is one of the herbs she grows in that garden.
Hazel Baker. Captain Swanson leaned back in his chair and scrubbed a hand down his face. Half the town thinks shes crazy, but she cant be the killer. Our only surviving victim identified the Seaside Strangler as definitely male.
She had been the intended second victim of the Seaside Strangler but, fortunate for her, she escaped.
Thats right. However the basement isnt locked during the day. Anyone with knowledge of the hallucinogenic qualities of the henbane could have stolen leaves from that plant.
Question is who? The captain pinched the bridge of his nose.
Andrei pulled a folded piece of paper from his front breast pocket and tossed it on the desk. Thats a list of people who frequent the inn and the reasons they do, along with the current residents. We need to interview every one of them and get their whereabouts on the nights of Angelas, Coras and my sisters disappearances. And we need to canvass the staff.
Just the thought of his sister, Sofia, caused a surge of anger and pain to well up inAndreis throat. He swallowed hard past the knot of emotion, the backs of his eyelids burning. Even if hed wanted to continue, he couldnt. Instead he grappled with the grief and impotent fury, his fists clenched with the need to kill the man whod taken the life of his sweet little sister.
Swanson stared down at the list and whistled. This is a pretty comprehensive list. Well get started on the interviews right away. Ill have Mitch Chapman go after the two boarders, the fisherman Alex Gibson and Assistant DA Grant Bridges. Grant wont be happy, but too bad. Ill take Mayor Wells and his assistant, Rick Simpson, myself. Theyre touchy about everything since Perry admitted to taking illegal bribes. Not to mention his acquittal in Theodore Fishers murder. Captain Swanson snorted. Hard to believe a public servant in his position would be so low.
Unfortunately, it happens all too often. But I know what you mean. Its disappointing when an elected official, responsible for upholding the laws, not only bends but breaks them.
It gives people the impression that politicians think theyre above the law. For a long moment the captain stared at the list. When he looked up at Andrei, a steely glint shone in his eyes. This is the first real lead weve had in this case. This could be the break we need. He smacked his palm to the desk.
Andrei nodded.
I want you to become a permanent fixture inside Cliffside Inn. I dont care how you do it, but you need to find out whos been stealing the plant and nail him.
The potential for action cleared the blockage in Andreis throat, his blood humming in anticipation of capturing the bastard whod killed Sofia. Any suggestions on how Ill hang out at the inn without alerting whoever it is to the fact Im on to him? Send a cop in there and hell back off.
The captain planted his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers, his brows dipping low. For two long minutes he sat without speaking.
Ready to rush out and shake the truth out of people, Andrei had to put a cap on his aggression. Instead of marching down to the inn and blowing any chance of making this work, he turned and resumed pacing the length of the office. How could he get inside without tipping off the murderer? For that matter, how could he stay away? There were other women at risk at the inn should the killer strike again.
An image of the beautiful Jocelyne appeared in his head. He could still feel the warmth of her breast pressed against his chest. He was surprised a line hadnt formed outside the inn. A line of men ready to date the pretty redhead. Her pregnancy was only just beginning to show and, on her trim, lithe body, it made her all the sexier.
Captain Swanson pushed his chair back and stood so fast, the chair rolled away and crashed into the wall. Ive got it!
Andrei stared at the police captain. Got what?
The answer to how youll get inside the inn without arousing suspicion. The captains mouth turned up at the corners. You already know Hazels daughter, Jocelyne, dont you?
I only met her yesterday when we discovered Angelas body. Andrei shook his head. Why?
The older man waved his hand as if encouraging Andrei to find the answer. Shes single, isnt she?
So?
The police captain snorted. Do I have to spell it out for you?
Please do.
A grin stretched across Swansons face. In order to get inside the inn without arousing suspicion, you can pretend to be Miss Bakers new boyfriend.
Do what?
The captains grin slipped into a frown. You heard me. Youll pretend to be Jocelyne Bakers boyfriend. That way you have every reason in the world to be at the innat all hours. A single brow rose over his eye. Get my drift?
Oh, he got it all too well. Andrei could already tell how the charade would go over with the independent Miss Baker. Assuming she goes for this charade, it doesnt solve the fact that Im a cop. With a police officer hanging around, the murderer will play it safe and avoid anything that draws attention to himself.