Page 21 of Hudson
Celine pulled on her soft gray sweater, cheeks still flushed, eyes dancing.
“Will you two ever stop?” Blair shook her head.
“You wish.” Celine laughed and grabbed her tote. “Come on. With your dark hair and eyes anything will look stunning on you.”
“I can’t wait to see her new arrivals,” Blair said, stepping into the hallway. “Paige has the best taste in everything.”
The coffee shop door swung shut behind them, their excitement spilling out into the afternoon air.
****
Hud sat at his desk going over the Harold White, Sr. file, the fluorescent lights humming overhead, when a shadow fell across the folder.
“Any weekend plans?”
He glanced up to find Eli standing there with a knowing smirk. Hud shook his head, the corners of his mouth twitching.
“Maybe.”
Eli chuckled. “That means you do. Is it Blair?”
Hud leaned back until his chair creaked, folded his arms and looked up at his friend. “Maybe.”
“Getting personal information from you is like pulling teeth without anesthesia.”
Hud grinned. “Yes. I’m taking her out tomorrow night.”
“Good. I hope it goes well.” Eli checked his watch. “I’m heading out. Probably won’t see you before Monday. Have a good weekend.”
“You too. Tell Lorna I said hello.”
“Will do.” Eli crossed the office, his boots clicking against the linoleum, pushed through the heavy metal door to the stairwell and disappeared with a hollow clang.
A moment later Killian passed by, coffee mug in hand. “You’d better not hurt her. Celine will be pissed, and trust me, you don’t want that. She holds grudges like a vault.”
“Damn, Doyle, it’s our first date.”
“You know what I’m saying.” Killian kept walking. “I’ll see you Monday. Heading to Spring City.” He strode out, leaving the scent of strong coffee behind him.
Hud ran a hand through his hair and got back to work.
“White’s ex-wife’s information.” Creed set a crisp sheet of paper on the desk.
Hud picked it up. “She’s not in Kalispell. She’s in Whitefish.”
“Yep. We can head there next week.”
“I’ll clear it with Dave. Thanks, Creed.”
Creed nodded and walked back to his desk, the worn leather of his holster creaking.
Hud pushed back from his desk and made his way to Dave’s office. The door was propped open. He knocked on the jamb and stepped in when Dave waved him through.
“Creed found White’s ex-wife in Whitefish. Do you want us to head there next week?”
“Yeah.” Dave’s voice carried the gravel of decades of cigarettes. “Let me work out the details. I’ll have two rooms ready for you and Creed by Monday.”
“Yes, sir.”
