Buried (Bone Secrets, #3)(32)

“Can I help you?” A small, fluttery bird of a woman smiled brightly at them from behind a large desk. She was in civilian clothes, a floral shirt and faded blue jeans that Jamie immediately labeled as “mom jeans.” She wore way too much black mascara, but her smile was warm and open. Her name tag read “Sara.”

“We’re looking for Sheriff Spencer,” Michael answered.

Sara’s gaze took a quick measure of Michael, and Jamie could tell she liked what she saw. Too bad she was older than him by at least twenty-five years.

“He went down the street. He’s grabbing some dinner at the diner. Might be stopping at the grocery, too. We’re out of coffee.” Sara focused more intently and tilted her head in a rapid way that reminded Jamie of a bird again. “You the reporter from Portland?”

“Yep. You think he’d mind if we wandered down to find him? We need to check in at the hotel, too.”

Jamie stiffened. She hadn’t thought about the sleeping situation. Until now. Too many images peppered her brain. Some very hot.

Separate rooms. No exceptions.

Sara abruptly pinned her focus on Jamie, blinking rapidly, and Jamie knew she’d picked up every nuance of her body language.

“Not at all. He’d probably like to have someone to gab with over dinner. You eat yet?”

Jamie couldn’t remember eating at all.

“No,” answered Michael. “Food good?”

“The best,” Sara proclaimed proudly. “Try the enchiladas. And keep hitting the bell at the hotel desk if no one is right there. Chuck’s a little hard of hearing.”

Michael thanked her and steered Jamie out the door with his hand on her back again. She blinked at the sun that was starting to set.

“I’m freaking starved,” Michael muttered. “Let’s eat and find the sheriff, then find your brother.”

Jamie silently agreed, feeling her stomach rumble at the thought of enchiladas drowning in melted cheese. A sign a block away indicated it was the town diner. She locked her gaze on it and walked faster.

Michael moved his hand from her back to firmly hold her hand. She gave him a smile, but his gaze was focused ahead on three men lounging in front of the tiny grocery store. One man wore an apron with the grocery store logo, and the other two men each held a soda can—Coke and Diet Coke. Jamie’s mouth was instantly dry.

“Simon, your break is up.” A heavyset woman with black hair piled on top of her head stepped out of the grocery door. Spotting Jamie and Michael, she grinned and offered a greeting. Her name tag read “Janet.”

“You two look parched,” Janet said. “The air’s real dry here. Not too hot today, but it’ll still drain your fluids. Better pick up some waters.”

Obviously, this was a town where everyone knew everyone else. She and Michael probably stuck out like pigs in an opera.

“We’re headed to eat but probably should put some in the car,” said Michael. Janet followed them in the store. Behind her came Simon in his apron and the two men with sodas. They watched Michael select two bottled waters like they hadn’t seen outsiders in months.

“Sheriff Spencer been by?” Michael asked. He plopped the bottles on the counter, ignoring the scrutiny. Jamie lifted her chin. What was their problem?

Janet lifted a brow at Simon, who spoke as he scanned their bottles. “About twenty minutes ago. Bought coffee.”

“What you needing the sheriff for?” Janet asked. “Everything okay? You just got to town, right? Surely you haven’t run into a problem already.”

Jamie swallowed her laughter. Small towns.

“We’re just looking for someone,” Michael replied.

“Well, you’re standing in the right place.” Janet gestured at herself and the other men. “Between the four of us, we know everyone around here. Who’re you looking for?”

Questioningly, Michael met Jamie’s gaze. She shrugged. Why not?

“Chris Jacobs.”

The four stared at Michael and Jamie and then exchanged glances.

“What? What’s the deal?” Michael folded his arms over his chest. He studied each townie intently, almost hawk-like. Jamie swore she saw his nostrils flare like he was scenting prey.

Janet wrinkled her nose. “What do you want with him? I’ve never seen him even speak to another person. Well, he talks some to old Juan. But that’s it. That boy of his doesn’t seem to ever speak either. Doesn’t even go to school. Delores went out to his house, told him the boy needed to be in school. He said he was homeschooling the boy and meeting the state standards and told her to keep her nose to herself.” Janet let out a huff. “Boy should be in school. Needs socializing, otherwise he’s gonna be a hermit just like his father. There’s more to schooling than books.”

Jamie’s heart cracked. Her nephew. Janet was talking about her nephew. How on earth was Chris raising him?

“What happened to the boy’s mother?” Michael asked.

The question surprised Jamie. Michael had already read what’d happened, but as a reporter, she figured he always wanted to hear what others had to say.

The four townsfolk exchanged looks again.

“Car accident,” Diet Coke man stated.

Michael and Jamie waited in silence for someone to continue. Jamie saw Janet start to open her mouth and then close it.