Chapter Nine

Nate watched Jack leave before remembering he had told the sheriff he’d give a statement. Since he had the truck keys in his pocket, now would be a good time to go. Odd, how the accident seemed to be a long time ago but it had only been two days. Time was getting away from him with the official opening in less than a week.

Luckily Liz had the reservations under control, but he needed to work on the menus and provisions. When he took up Bertha’s challenge to run the inn, as well as the restaurant, he hadn’t understood everything involved. Linens, cleaning supplies, storage, putting it all together so it worked. Of course, he’d been in charge of restaurants, but it was different. People went home after one meal; here they would stay for several days.

He concentrated on driving the pick-up truck. With his left arm tight to his side, turning the wheel was awkward. Pain twinged up to his shoulder. He hadn’t taken any pain pills today so driving should be all right. He exhaled sharply. Driving for five minutes had left him exhausted. Another stop at the doctor’s office was next. With a sigh of relief, he parked at the sheriff’s office.

“Come on in.” Karen Burke gave him a cheerful wave from the front step, then escorted him to her desk. Her tan uniform was neatly pressed, her shoes polished to a high shine. The badge gleamed against a well-rounded breast he couldn’t help but notice. Karen was an attractive woman. “This is good timing. Nothing’s happening in our busy village. When school starts it will be a whole different story. People pass school buses and need to be ticketed. The fun never ends.”

“You sound like you love it.” Nate sighed after he settled into the visitor’s chair. He adjusted his casted arm. The large room held several desks with computers. The office smelled like industrial cleaner and air freshener.

“I do. I like the people. I like the area. Lots of things to do when I’m off-duty. Skiing in the winter and boating all summer long keep me busy. I probably should have stopped by to introduce myself when you moved in.” She cocked her head at him. “You look better.”

A grin lifted his mouth. “So I’ve been told. So what do I need to do next?”

“Tell me what happened.” She started the computer and opened a file. “I have the day, time, location, but nothing else.”

“Well, I had been to the farmer’s market on the town green. Found some nice heritage tomatoes, in case you’re interested.” She smiled and nodded. “Took me a few minutes to pedal up that hill. I’m still getting in shape.”

Her eyes gleamed. “Don’t look bad to me.”

Nate wondered if Karen would say yes if he asked her out. He liked her professional attitude, her pretty smile. Maybe he’d been too busy to notice that the town had some very nice women.

“Anyway…” Nate cleared his throat and rubbed his forehead. “The inn’s new sign had been installed and I stopped to look at it. Standing on the side of the road. And I heard tires on the gravel. The vehicle was speeding. I could tell by the sound of the engine. I tried to move myself and the bike out of the road.”

“Neither of you made it. Although the bike needs more repair than you do.” She gave him a wry smile. “The good thing is the driver left paint on the bike. A nice blue.”

“It was a pick-up truck.” Nate recalled the fender coming at him. “I didn’t see the driver.”

“That helps. The color gives us the year and possibly the make of the vehicle. You remembering a pick-up narrows what we need to look at.” She finished typing, hit save, and closed the computer. “Thanks for coming in so quickly. I don’t like having idiots driving on my roads. If he’d stopped, he’d be in less trouble.”

“No problem.” He waited a minute, but it looked like the interview was over. “See you around.”

“Definitely,” she said before walking him to the door. “Don’t forget to stop at Dr. White’s.”

“Hey, does everyone know everyone’s business?”

“Small town. Get used to it.”

Nate crossed to the Quick Care Medical Clinic. The door opened with a merry jingle and the receptionist glanced up. Another attractive woman. Her name tag read Leslie Morrison. Maybe the accident had opened his eyes when it broke his arm. He shook his head. He still didn’t have time. The opening required sixteen-hour days.

“Dr. White said to take an ex-ray and then he’d see you.” She called for a nurse.