Page 76 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Callie nodded. “Do you remember where this came from—where you got it?”

Bess shook her head again. “I’m afraid I don’t.” She handed it back, hesitating before she settled the locket in Callie’s palm. “Now that I think of it…” She narrowed her eyes and nodded. “Yes. I believe Captain Bob brought it to me—wanted me to take it off his hands.”

Callie blinked. “Captain Bob from the ferry?”

“Yes, dear. Our own resident treasure hunter.”

“Oh,” she said, mustering up a small smile for Bess. “I’d like to buy it.”

“All right. I’ll take two hundred fifty for everything. One hundred fifty for the locket because I’m certain it’s real gold.”

She would pay a thousand for it. She just had to have it. “Yes, that’s fine.” She grabbed three bills from her wallet and gave them to Bess. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, dear.” Bess put the money in her drawer. “Now, let me get another box for these last couple pieces of glass. I have one in back—”

“No, you don’t have to.” Callie added the three remaining glasses to the pile Bess had already boxed up, then stacked the box on the drawer, wanting to move things along. “This seems to fit just fine.”

“All right, honey.”

“Thank you for everything.” She grabbed her items and headed outside, barely registering the slaps of cold against her skin as she shoved everything in the front seat, then got in on the driver’s side, eager for another look at the locket. She pulled the jewelry from her pocket and exhaled an unsteady breath as she slid her thumb over the slight dent on the back, struggling to comprehend that she was holding the exact piece she’d seen in her dreams. Exhaling another shaky breath, she reached for her phone and dialed Nate’s number.

“This is Nate. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you when I can.”

She hung up and tried the station.

“Carter County Sheriff nonemergency line. This is Kay.”

“Hi, Kay. This is Callie—”

“Callie, honey. How are you?”

“I’m good,” she fibbed. “How about you?” she asked when all she wanted to do was talk to Nate.

“I’m doing really well. It sure is nice seeing our sheriff walking around smiling all the time.”

“Yes, it is.” She closed her eyes, doing her best to quell the latest waves of unease her discovery had brought to the surface. “I’m sorry to cut this short, Kay, but is Nate available?”

“I’m afraid he’s out on a call. Fender bender down at the other end of Atlantic Avenue. I keep telling the mayor we need a traffic light, but he just won’t hear it.”

“Yes. Well, I hope everyone’s okay.”

“I believe they are. I’ll have Nate call you when he gets in, honey.”

“Thank you.”

“Bye now.”

“Bye.” She hung up and sighed. There was no way she could go home. She would drive herself nuts waiting to hear Nate’s voice. Nibbling her lip, she glanced at the clock and turned over the engine, heading toward the docks. She couldn’t speak to Nate right now, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t talk to Captain Bob. Within moments, she was pulling into a parking spot close to the Carter Island Ferry Services building and got out, hunching against the rain and wind, worse now that she was near the water’s edge. She hurried inside to the front desk.

“Can I help you?” The woman looked up and smiled. “You’re the artist—Nate’s girlfriend. I’m Tammy.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Tammy.” She offered her a polite smile. “Is—Can I speak to Captain Bob for a moment?”

Tammy frowned. “The final ferry of the day’s leaving in about fifteen minutes. I imagine he’s on the boat doing his instrument checks.”

Callie fought a frustrated sigh. “Okay. Thank—”

“No, wait. Captain Bob!” Tammy shouted.