Free A Watery Death (A Missing Pieces Mystery Book 7) by Joyce Lavene, Jim Lavene

Michaels isn’t going to lie around in bed for very long either. It’ll be fine. Have some faith, like you’re always telling me.”
    Gramps and the council came out of the meeting room. My grandfather’s gaze immediately came to rest on me across the room.
    We would have discussed what we’d done at that point, but Chief Michaels’s doctors came into the visitors’ area at the same time.
    “There’s good news and bad news,” the lead cardiologist said. “Chief Michaels survived a serious cardiac event. He’s going to need surgery, and I’m afraid, a long recovery time.”
    There were many questions, but no one was surprised by the severity of the event. We were as prepared as we could be, even though I still would have argued the point about Gramps being police chief, if anyone would have listened.
    We said goodnight a short time later. Gramps came home with Kevin and me in Kevin’s old pickup truck. Ladonna and Marjory stayed at the hospital, but a few of us agreed on a schedule so that they could have some time away.
    It was a quiet ride for the first twenty minutes with me squished between Gramps and Kevin.
    I wanted to say something, probably ask him not to take Chief Michaels’s place. The words just wouldn’t come.
    Finally, Kevin broke the silence. “I’m not letting the two of you out of this truck until I know that everything is okay between you.”
    Gramps chuckled. “I see a throw-down coming in your future, young man.”
    “That’s okay,” he said. “Isn’t there something you want to say, Dae?”
    “I don’t know,” I muttered.
    “If you have something, spit it out,” Gramps said.
    “All right.” I faced him. “I don’t think you should do this. If I could’ve voted, I would’ve voted against it. Tim should step in. He’s been there long enough to know what he’s doing.”
    “Is this because you’re afraid for me or because you think Tim deserves the promotion?” Gramps questioned.
    “Both,” I answered honestly. “Although I’m more worried about you getting hurt than about Tim getting a promotion. It’s been a long time since you carried a badge and a gun. Things have changed.”
    “Things haven’t changed that much,” Kevin said. “Once you’ve done the job, you can go back to it any time.”
    “But you’re not volunteering,” I mentioned hotly.
    “No, I volunteered,” Gramps said. “I’ll be fine, Dae. I can handle this. I’m sorry you’re afraid for me, but nothing will happen.”
    “Tell that to Captain Lucky,” I said. “It’s bad enough having a murder investigation right now, but it’s also prime beach season.”
    “I don’t know what else to say.” Gramps shook his head as we rolled into our driveway.
    I had completely forgotten about the naked man until that moment. So much had happened so quickly. I started to say something about it, but was afraid that Gramps and Kevin would just think I was throwing more roadblocks in the way.
    “It’s a bad situation,” I said as Kevin parked the truck. “I don’t want it to get any worse.”
    “It won’t, honey.” Gramps squeezed my hand before he got out of the pickup. “I’m going inside. It’s been a long day, and I have to be up early tomorrow. I’ll see you later, Kevin. Thanks for the ride.”
    He walked slowly to the house. I watched him until he was inside and the door had closed behind him.
    “This isn’t right,” I told Kevin. “I know there isn’t anything I can do about it, but I’m really worried about him.”
    He took me in his arms and kissed me. “I understand, but Horace will be fine. That’s why they wanted him for the job. He knows what he’s doing, and he knows this town. You have to have some confidence in him.”
     “I hope so. If not, you’d probably be next on the interim police chief list. All the council members feel like Tim is too young and immature. He and I are the same age. That makes me question how they feel about me too.” I hugged him back