Page 77 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

The man who reminded Callie of a modern-day pirate in red plaid and jeans stopped at the glass doors with a golden retriever by his side.

“Sheriff’s girlfriend wants to talk to you,” Tammy explained.

Captain Bob looked at his watch.

“Thank you,” Callie said to Tammy before she closed the distance between herself and Captain Bob, studying his gray mustache and beard and the navy-blue bandana tied over his shoulder-length hair. “Hello. I’m sorry to bother you. I know you’re pressed for time.” She held out the locket. “I was over at Everything Antiques when I saw this. Bess said it was yours.”

Captain Bob frowned. “Jesus. That woman has a memory like an elephant.”

“Do you remember this locket?”

He scratched his beard, nodding slowly. “Now that I see it, I do.”

“You asked Bess to sell it,” she prompted, impatient for answers.

He glanced at his watch again. “After I found it.”

Callie nodded. “You found it. Where?”

“Ah, the woods, if I’m remembering correctly.”

That wasn’t exactly the response she’d been expecting but she nodded again. “When?”

“Jeez,” he puffed out on a small laugh. “Couldn’t tell ya. Years ago.”

She wanted him to say something that would help her. Now more than ever she needed her dreams to make sense. “Five years ago or ten?”

“Could be, but it’s hard to say.” Shrugging, he glanced at his watch for the third time. “I hate to be abrupt and leave, but I’ve got to stay on time. The weather’s rough.”

She smiled despite her frustration. “Thank you for your help.”

“Sure thing. Give Nate my best.”

“I will.” She huffed out a quiet, impatient breath as Captain Bob walked outside with his dog. She was no closer to an explanation now than she had been when she headed for the docks. Remembering her manners, she sent Tammy a wave. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

With no other plan, Callie hurried back out to the truck, deciding that she was going to the sheriff’s station whether Nate had returned her call or not. She would wait for him in his office for as long as it took. She just needed to talk to him. To show him. Within minutes she was pulling into a visitor’s space in the parking lot as he pulled up in the Tahoe.

He flashed her one of his sexy grins from the driver’s seat.

She smiled and got out.

“Hey, beautiful.” He pulled her against him when she walked up to meet him. “This is a nice surprise.”

She nodded, holding him tight.

His smiled faded as he eased her away. “What’s wrong?”

“I, um…” She shook her head and opened her hand when she had no idea where to start.

His eyes grew wide as he looked at her palm. “The locket.”

“I found it at the antiques store.”

“What?” He frowned and took it from her.

“It was just sitting there in the case by the register.”