Free Finding Justice by Rachel Brimble Page B

to her?
    She shook her head. No. Jay wasn’t Jay that day. She had to
remember that and find the strength to listen to him. Jay was in recovery and
had shared the explanation she demanded from him almost as soon as she’d see
him. Instead of listening and acting like a friend and professional, she’d run
like a coward because it was too painful, too close to her existence.
    Hitching her bag onto her shoulder, Cat tilted her chin. She
wouldn’t do that again. Turning, she marched back toward the station entrance,
continuing resolutely forward until she pushed open the door and headed for the
reception desk. The duty sergeant greeted her with a smile warm enough to melt
an ice-cream sundae and once more, Cat remembered she was no longer in the
city.
    “Can I help you?” he asked.
    She smiled back. “I have a nine o’clock appointment with
Inspector Bennett. I’m Sergeant Cat Forrester visiting from Reading.”
    “Well, nice to meet you, Sergeant. Take a seat. I’ll go let him
know you’re here.”
    She sat down on one of the four plastic chairs lining the wall
behind her and waited. She was impatient to get started, anticipation and hope
jumped along her nerve endings. The early-morning sun shone through the vertical
blinds beside her, lighting parallel lines across the gray tiled floor. The pale
beige walls were scattered with posters telling Templeton residents to Stay
Safe, Be Aware of Stranger Danger and Not All Visitors Are Nice Visitors. It was
friendly, safe, trustworthy and Cat guessed Sarah’s murder was the first one the
Cove had seen for years...possibly ever.
    The click of a side door opening turned her head and she
immediately stood. The man coming toward her was tall, around six-three, maybe
four, with short sandy-colored hair, pleasant, shining eyes and a nice smile. He
held out his hand.
    “Sergeant Forrester, Inspector Bennett. Welcome to Templeton
Cove.”
    She took his hand and his fingers clasped around hers firmly
and with just the right amount of expected authority. She dipped her head and
smiled. “Thank you, sir. I wish the circumstances were happier, but it’s nice to
meet you.”
    His smile faltered as his eyes wandered over her face. Cop
eyes. She knew what he was doing and instantly liked him for it. A new face was
always one to be learned about. Who was the person behind the mask?
    After a moment, he gestured her toward the open door. “Shall
we?”
    He led her through the busy but not particularly bustling
station, past walnut-veneer desks scattered with loose papers and neatly stacked
trays. As they walked, they passed several uniformed and non-uniformed officers
who eyed her with curiosity before resuming their conversations or telephone
calls. They reached his corner office and Bennett shut the door behind them,
providing some semblance of quiet.
    “Have a seat, Sergeant.”
    The sudden and colder change in his tone alerted Cat to the
reality of Bennett’s feelings about her being there. His friendly greeting
appeared to have been little more than a smokescreen when they were in
reception. Smiling inwardly, Cat sat down. That was fine. They could play this
however he wanted, but she would definitely leave knowing more than when she
arrived.
    “Thank you, sir.”
    He lowered his admirably fit and athletic physique, considering
he must have been in his late forties, into the seat behind his desk. He stared
at her expectantly. “So I understand you knew our victim and want in on the
investigation?”
    Cat sat up straighter. “I’m not here to step on anyone’s toes,
sir. I’m here to help.”
    “Is that so?”
    “Yes, I’ve known Sarah since—”
    “Yes, you said on the phone. You came here for how many
summers?”
    “Eight. I was twelve the first time.”
    “You spent a lot of time with Miss Cole every year?”
    Cat smiled. “All the time.”
    “I see.”
    He stood and Cat turned in her swivel chair to watch him walk
to the windowed wall of his office. He stared