| |
As the emergency trucks arrived, sirens blaring and lights flashing, they interrupted Emma just as she was about to respond to Midge's comments. The next several minutes were chaotic as the rescue crew brought in their equipment and a gurney to do their best. But one look and they knew they were too late. As they were confirming her death, the police entered the house.
One of the young officers stepped closer, leaning in to whisper in Emma's ear. "Emma? What are you doing here?"
He scanned the room cautiously, his gaze briefly resting on Travis and another person standing next to Emma. He nodded in Travis's direction, an indication they knew each other, and then turned to Emma, waiting for an answer.
"Hey, Sean, it's good to see you. Not the best of circumstances and not exactly how I wanted to spend my first day at home."
"What are you doing here?" he asked again and paused for a moment. Ending in a lower tone, he said, "Taylor's expecting you for lunch today."
Emma smiled at Sean Young, the husband of her college roommate and a close friend. When she had left Citrus Beach, Sean had been working his way up the ranks in the small police department. Clearly, he had reached the investigative department. However, the confident stride of the man following him suggested Sean had not yet ascended to the role of lead detective. But Emma knew he would soon be there, and judging from making a snap judgment of the other man, she didn't think it was going to take long.
"What do we have here, Young?" The other man snapped, not even bothering to look around for himself.
It was Midge who jumped in and explained what was going on. While she was talking to the man, Sean got to work taking pictures and making notes. Emma wandered over to stand next to him.
"Who's the hotshot in the suit?"
"He's the town's interim sheriff until the next election can be held. Between you and me, he thinks the small-town routine is beneath him. You watch, he'll put me in charge of doing everything for this investigation and then sit back and take all the credit."
Emma turned and looked back at the man in question and saw him schmoozing with Mrs. Anderson. It was clear he knew her position in the town and was out to impress her. Emma shook her head and turned back to Sean.
"I see what you mean. You can handle this. With the training you got from Sheriff Green when you first started, you're prepared for anything. The man was awesome."
"He sure was. It's a shame we couldn't persuade him to come out of retirement. Look, I better get to work. I'll catch up with you at lunch. Taylor said to come hungry. She's preparing a feast, and she can't wait to show you the changes she's made to the rescue farm."
Emma smiled in agreement and stepped away from Sean so he could work, but she kept a close eye on everything he did, noting the things that caught his interest that he wrote down in his trusty notebook.
The interim sheriff finally broke away from Midge to come and see how Sean was doing. He seemed more impressed that the ornaments had been stolen than the fact that there was a dead body under the Christmas tree.
Emma, having been around numerous crime scenes because of her mother's knack for getting involved and her close friendship with the former sheriff, knew when things weren't proceeding as they should. She was appalled as she watched the interim sheriff move the broken ornaments with his foot and lift a heavy item that lay on the floor next to Cindy's head without putting gloves on.
This investigation is going nowhere fast, she thought disgustedly. She looked around and saw Midge staring at her and realized the woman was waiting for an answer. Would she help with the investigation? Shrugging with acceptance, Emma gave a slight nod, making Midge break into a grin. With a sigh, Emma worked her way over to stand next to Midge and Travis.
"I'll do what I can to help. I'm good friends with Sean Young, so that will be an advantage. But I have a feeling his boss won't appreciate me sticking my nose into the investigation."
"Don't you worry about him. I've hinted at wanting to donate to the police fund under his name, so he looks good. Not an outright bribe, but if I can keep his attention away from you and Sean, it might go easier." Midge gave a wink and placed her hands on her hips, taking the stance of authority.
"Hate to tell you, Mom, but that is a form of bribery." Travis laughed at his mother and then turned his attention to Emma. "Whatever you think you're going to do for investigating, you're not doing it alone. This involves my family, and I want you to be part of it."
Midge beamed at Travis and Emma, and it was clear she was pleased with the suggestion. "Perfect. You knew Cindy, so that will help as well. Now the two of you better head to the kitchen to answer the police questions along with the others. There's no reason for them to know you're involved in the investigation. No reason for anyone to know."
Midge gestured for Travis and Emma to proceed to the kitchen. As she began to follow, Bill Parker, the interim sheriff, swiftly stepped in. Offering his arm courteously, he escorted Midge toward the kitchen, where the rest of the staff awaited.
"Wow, I hope he doesn't think that is going to impress my mom. Offering to escort her like she's a doddering old woman is only going to make her grind her teeth and get stubborn." Travis snickered and stage-whispered to Emma. She had a hard time keeping a straight face and instead held out her arm for Travis to take.
"Oh, you and I are going to get along just fine, Emma." Grinning back at her, Travis took her offered arm, and they followed his mother and Bill Parker down the hallway toward the kitchen.