“There they are,” Macklin said to Corey as they sipped coffee at a popular coffee shop in Coronado. He watched Caitlyn and Ryder park outside the café and enter. He stood and waved. Caitlyn caught sight of him, and a big smile broke out across her face.
Macklin opened his arms, and Caitlyn raced into them, laughing.
Then she jumped back and exclaimed, “Oh, your shoulder. I’m so sorry.”
It was his turn to laugh. “Oh, no, you don’t. No way an injury will stop me from accepting a hug from you. Besides, I’m doing just fine. I’m heading back to work next week.”
She squealed. “Oh, that’s excellent news.”
He hugged her and stepped back. “I’m glad you think so.” He nodded at Ryder who stood behind her. “And I have you to thank for saving my life.”
Ryder shook his head. “No need to thank me. Besides, you can return the favor sometime. Although I hope the situation doesn’t arise.”
“It better not,” Caitlyn said. She spun to glare at Ryder. “That would mean you were in a really bad place.” She slugged him gently. “And I won’t have that. Not anymore.”
Ryder’s smile quirked, and he wrapped an arm around her, cuddling her close. “I’ll be fine.”
Corey motioned them to the seats at their table.
Mac was happy the two of them had settled their differences and appeared to be on a smooth path for the first time in years. They looked like they’d make it this time.
He, on the other hand, was avoiding all relationships. He was happy to be around his friends, but not one of them had had the horrible experience he’d had. And no way would he repeat it.
Marsha had been a bad mistake—but he’d chosen her. So what did that say about the decisions he made? It said, he was shitty at them. And the last thing he wanted was to make another bad one.
So it was abstinence for him.
Something he never thought he’d say.
A commotion at the entrance had the diners turning to look. A police officer accompanied by a woman—another officer, maybe a detective—stepped inside and surveyed the patrons. The officer closest to them stood tall, her posture commanding, powerful. Macklin had seen that in men but not so much in a woman. Despite himself, he was intrigued. For the first time he considered softening his stance on abstinence.
Ryder took one look and said, “Uh-oh, I hope she’s not coming over here.”
“Why?” Caitlyn asked. “I’ve seen Alex at the gym several times. She’s really nice.”
“She might be, but she’s also the hotshot new detective who just arrived at Coronado PD. She’s an ex-CID special agent from back east.” Ryder shifted slightly in his chair.
Macklin studied the tall slim woman who even now walked toward him. “I don’t think I’ve met her.”
“I have.” Caitlyn jumped to her feet as the agent approached. “Hi, Alex.”
A warmth lit up the thirtysomething woman’s eyes. She acknowledged Caitlyn’s greeting, but her gaze was locked on Macklin.
He raised his eyebrow and waited.
“Macklin Princeton, I need you to come with me, please,” she said in a low but firm tone.
Macklin frowned at the others at the table, then turned back to her. “Sure. Can you tell me why?”
“We need to ask you some questions down at the station.” She waited quietly. No pressure but not relenting. He would go with her one way or the other.
“Questions about what?” He pulled out his wallet and tossed a few bills on the table. Lunch was obviously not happening.
“A young woman. I believe you know her. Marsha McEwan?”
He froze. Caitlyn and Ryder’s gasps echoed in the café. Corey jumped up from his chair. “I’ll come with you, Mac.”
Macklin stared at the agent, hating that he wanted to drown in her clear-mountain-lake blue eyes, and stood, instantly dwarfing her. In no way did she appear intimidated. “I’d be happy to come,” he said calmly. “What’s the problem?”
“She’s dead.”