River Bodies (Northampton County #1)(30)

“I was promoted three months ago.”

“You’re kidding. Congratulations.”

He smiled, and for the first time since he’d walked through the door, she started to relax. His smile said he was the same old Parker hidden somewhere inside the new one.

“Thanks,” he said.

“You’re a rookie.” She punched his arm like she used to do.

“I’m a sucker for long hours and low pay.” He looked tired. His clothes were rumpled. She’d forgotten he’d been working all day and much of the night. He looked beat.

They both turned toward their drinks and sipped the cream, shoulder to shoulder, some of the earlier tension peeling away.

“But seriously, how did you end up a detective?”

“I worked patrol for a while. It was the next logical step. I guess I thought I’d be good at it, protect and serve the community where I grew up. Give something back,” he said.

His answer sounded rehearsed, generic. It was obvious there was more to it than he was saying, but he wasn’t willing to share it with her. She let it go. “So what happened today?” she asked. “How did the guy drown? Tubing? Kayaking?”

“Who told you it was a drowning?” He looked her over in the new cop way he’d acquired in her absence.

“I just assumed. Are you telling me it wasn’t?”

“I’m not at liberty to discuss it.”

“My dad never talked about his job either.”

“I’m sure he had his reasons.”

“I’m sure he did.” She played with the straw. Knowing cops the way she did, she knew she wasn’t going to get anything more out of him. “Aren’t you going to ask me what I do?” she asked.

“You’re a vet,” he said.

She was surprised he knew.

“I never said I didn’t go on the internet.”

Pam returned. “We’re closing up soon,” she said.

Parker reached into his pocket for his wallet.

“Let me get this,” Becca said and tossed a few bills onto the counter.

Instead of getting up to leave, they stayed where they were, and Becca tried to think of something else to say. She couldn’t come up with anything, and maybe Parker couldn’t either, because he remained quiet. Pam appeared with a mop and bucket.

“I think that’s our second cue,” he said.

Becca twisted in her stool to stand, her knees bumping into his. His long legs had always taken up more space than she’d allowed for.

Parker held the door open for her. They stepped outside. She became uncomfortable again, feeling awkward standing so close to him on the narrow sidewalk. She stared at her feet. She didn’t want to go home, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say. She couldn’t think of anywhere else to go. She was about to suggest they go for a walk, but he cut her off.

“I have an early day tomorrow,” he said. “It was good seeing you.” He turned toward his unmarked cruiser, calling over his shoulder, “You look good.”

“You said that already.”

“Then it must be true.” He smiled his old Parker smile, waving as he folded his long legs into the driver’s seat.

She watched his taillights head in the opposite direction, heading downriver, farther away from town. She wondered where he lived now. She should’ve asked him. She wanted to see him again, realized she had no idea how to contact him. And he’d never asked how to contact her, but if he wanted to, he could find her at her father’s house.

But she suspected he wouldn’t.

Maybe it was just as well.



Becca got in her Jeep. Before she started the engine, her cell phone vibrated. It was another text from Matt. I miss you.

She smoothed her brow, not knowing whether she missed him too. She’d been pulled in too many directions in the last two days for her to sort through her feelings, although some of her anger toward him had lost its edge. She was going to have to talk with him sooner or later, make sense of it all, but not yet. She typed a reply. We’ll talk soon.

She tossed the phone aside. Funny how she finally had his full attention now, when she wasn’t sure she wanted it anymore.





CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

John was sitting on the couch in front of the television. He was staring at a blank screen. He’d missed the morning news. Maybe it was for the best. Maybe it was better if he didn’t know where the cops were in their investigation. Ignorance was bliss, after all. He would only drive himself crazy watching, listening for information about what the cops did or didn’t know. Then again, maybe it was better if he knew. Maybe he could fix things before they got out of his control.

At least his head felt clearer than it had the last two days. He’d slept well, considering. His dreams had been mixed, visions of Beth, her cheeks full and sun-kissed gold, the way she’d looked before she’d gotten sick. She’d been talking to him in dreamland, her voice soothing to his ears. She’d been telling him about her dream, about drifting on the river, floating along the current under a clear blue sky. She’d been at peace, and this in turn had made him feel at peace. But every so often an image of a body, a man’s body, had flashed behind his eyes, the man’s insides hollowed out, the river carrying the corpse farther downstream.