A Bad Day for Sunshine (Sunshine Vicram #1)(52)

Sun nodded, wondering how she of all people had raised such a horrible liar.

“How’s your dad?” She turned and looked at the gorgeous memorial the town had put up after Sun’s husband was killed in Afghanistan barely one month after they got married.

The artist had carved an image into the sandstone pillar, three circles interlinked. Underneath was a bunch of gibberish about Samson being a son of Del Sol even though he hadn’t been from the town, and then a list of all the sons Del Sol had lost. Legitimate sons. Sons who deserved the monument much more than her husband had.

Sun had barely looked at it during the dedication. Hadn’t even noticed the image when it was first erected, and only took note after walking to and from the courthouse for this reason or that.

But Auri had come here often. Sun’s parents had told her that Auri would come to the memorial several times each summer and talk to her dad. It both warmed her heart and weighed it down.

“He’s good. He says hi.”

She laughed softly. “Well, tell him hi back. So, everything is okay?”

Auri shrugged. “Of course.”

“The whole narc thing just blew over?”

“I guess. Nobody’s said anything about it.”

“You know, you could tell me if they did.”

“My boots are ruined,” she said, changing the subject. She picked up one foot. It had mud on it from her walk.

“Oh no.” Sun inspected the boot and then said, “I don’t think three tiny spots of mud constitutes ruination, but we can have them cleaned.”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll see what I can do.”

Sun drew in a deep breath. It was back. The wall Auri constructed whenever she worried she was becoming a burden. Most kids loved being burdens. Reveled in it. Counted on it to get their way on multiple occasions. But not this little morsel of moxie. Nugget of nerve. Princess of pluck.

It was the red hair. Sun knew it down to her bones. That red soaked into her brain and set it on fire. And Sun would have it no other way.

“Well, if you’re done shivering, you ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa’s?”

“Can I order pizza?” she asked after a quick hit off her inhaler.

“As long as it has something with an actual vitamin on it.”

“Cheese has vitamins.”

Sun laughed and walked her daughter to the cruiser arm in arm.


She dropped Auri off and gave her mother the signal. The look she only gave her when Auri was in a bad place but didn’t want anyone to know. They’d been through a lot with her when she was younger. They’d perfected that look and the many devious ways in which to send it with Auri none the wiser.

Elaine’s lids rounded, but Sun followed up the look with the shake. A quick, almost imperceptible shake of the head that let the other one know to stay quiet. For now.

Elaine pursed her lips, but complied.

After a quick trip to the apartment to change into something more comfortable, basically still her uniform but a khaki shirt and jeans with her badge attached to the belt, she donned her official bomber jacket and headed out. She grabbed a burrito from the Kachina Kitchen and headed back to the station.

Salazar had procured the surveillance footage from the Quick-Mart for the date of the receipt Sun had found under the tree. She was impressed. These situations could get sticky. It was amazing how much a regular joe did not want to assist in an investigation, especially if it consisted of them getting off their stools behind the cash register and hunting through surveillance footage.

Sometimes it took a little extra assertiveness to convince them to do their civic duty. Threats also worked. But Salazar was about as threatening as a bunny rabbit dressed in pink.

With the swing shift in full force, Sun sat down at her desk and reviewed the footage. An older male, judging by his gait, tall and painfully thin wearing a dark jacket, baseball cap, and sunglasses. And he bought an energy drink. He paid cash. It was a nail-biter. A real edge-of-the-seater. Then he walked out.

Unfortunately, the cameras outside were not working, so they didn’t get a description of the vehicle he drove.

She checked the records they sent over for every gas purchase in case the guy filled up and wrote down the names for Anita to cross-check with the parameters set.

“Burrito,” Zee said.

“Want some?” Sun asked, inviting her into the office with a wave.

“Nah. Just signing off. What do you got?”

“Surveillance footage.”

“Fun.” She stepped closer. “Want me to run those names?”

“Nope. I need you fresh tomorrow, too.”

“I don’t mind.”

Sun grinned at her. “I know.” Zee started to leave, when Sun stopped her. “Are you sorry you took this job yet?”

“Please.” She waved a dismissive hand. “I love this weird little town. And I’m thinking about asking Doug out.”

“The flasher? I heard he’s a great kisser.”

“I bet he is.”

“So,” Sun said, hedging a subject that did not need to be hedged, “you and Quincy.”

“Ew. We’re siblings. Twins, even. How can you . . . ? Why would you . . . ? He is cute, though.” Her dark skin practically glowed with appreciation.

“He is, and he’s one of the good ones, but if you tell him I said that, I’ll seek revenge. I’m not above threatening you with a grapefruit spoon.”