Chapter 20

ERIC

I parked my truck outside the general store. If it weren't for the fact that I'd run out of food, I wouldn't be here. Coming into town always increased the risk of someone recognizing me, but seeing Jenny was more of a worry.

Each time I spoke to her, she dug a little deeper, trying to uncover more information about my life. It didn't help that I was equally skilled at evading her questions.

I peered through the window at this week's display. Drills, sanders, chainsaws, and grinders sat on wooden crates, all waiting for DIY adventurers to take advantage of the discounts. I didn't need any tools, but I was thinking about buying a barbecue grill.

Before I ran the gauntlet of Jenny's questions, I wanted to see the store that Riley's friend wanted to buy. As I walked farther down the sidewalk, I realized how good an investment the building could be.

The general store was the only place you could buy groceries in Sunrise Bay. Everyone who lived here regularly visited the store. Tourists stopped by to refill their coolers or buy enough food for a few days. If that wasn't a good enough reason to open a candy store close by, then the tourist buses were.

According to the sign on the lamppost, ten buses a week stopped here. Multiply that by the number of people on each bus and you had a good opportunity to broaden your customer base.

I looked through the French bakery's window. The glass counter was still sitting where the owners left it. Half a dozen tables and chairs, complete with red tablecloths, were waiting for the next customers to arrive. Even the light fixtures could have come straight out of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

If the kitchen was as well-maintained as the front of the store, it'd be perfect.

"I can't believe it." Alex held his hand over my forehead. "You've come into town on your own. Are you feeling all right?"

"Very funny," I muttered. "I thought you were working on a tight deadline."

"I am, but everyone needs to eat. My cupboards are bare, and a certain someone hasn't invited me for dinner."

"If you want to test-drive a new barbecue grill, you can come over tonight."

Alex smiled. "Do I get to choose the meat?"

"As long as it comes from an animal. The vegetarian steaks we ate last week wouldn't be considered food in most countries."

"I'm stretching your comfort zone." Alex pointed to the sign hanging from under the veranda. "If you're looking for fresh bread, you won't find it here."

"I'm surprised the building hasn't sold."

Alex shrugged. "Sunrise Bay's busy with tourists for six months of the year. The rest of the time, it's quiet. You'd have to be sure customers will buy your products year-round to stay in business. Are you thinking about buying the building?"

I smiled. "Not me. I've got too many crimes that need solving. Do you know anything about barbecue grills?"

"Are you kidding? My dad was the barbecue king of Milwaukee."

"Good. You can come with me to the general store. Jenny gave me some pamphlets about the different barbecue grills she sells. I think I know which one I want, but it might have too many features for what I need."

"You can never have too many features. When was the last time you used a barbecue grill?"

I added up the years. Where had the time gone? "I was living with Mom and Dad. It must be at least twenty years ago."

Alex's eyes widened. "It's just as well you asked me to help."

My phone rang. I checked the caller display and frowned. My agent was supposed to contact me later today, but he was early. "I'll just get this."

"I'll meet you inside the store."

"Sounds good." I held my phone to my ear. "Hi, James. I thought you were calling me in two hours?"

"You need to hear this now."

"What's happened?"

"I received another letter and a set of photos from the stalker."

I sighed. "I was hoping you'd tell me the police have arrested him."

"Not yet, but he's given them a lot more to work with. He recreated the first murder scene in Taken."

Fear crept along my spine. "What do you mean, ‘recreated'?"

"He staged everything. From the blood splatters to the position of the furniture."

"What about a body?"

"Not this time, but the police aren't taking any chances." James didn't say anything for a few seconds. "They want you to hire a bodyguard."

I frowned. We'd talked about bodyguards three months ago, but that was the last thing I wanted. "It will only draw attention to me. It's not like I'm living in Brooklyn."

"Come home, then. At least if you were living here, you'd have more people looking after you. It's better than staying in the middle of nowhere."

The people around me would take exception to James' description of their town. "Sunrise Bay isn't big by anyone's standards, but I can keep a low profile here. Is Kevin Knoppfler still the lead detective on my case?"

"He is. He wants you to call him."

I was grateful for Kevin's help. Finding the stalker wasn't easy, but he was doing everything he could to stop the craziness from continuing.

"How's the book coming along?"

I pulled my thoughts back to James. "It's on track. Did you get my feedback on the cover design?"

"I did. It's with the graphics team."

I leaned against the bakery's front door. "I'll ask Kevin to send me a copy of the latest police report."

"Good idea. I have to go but, if you see anything out of the ordinary, call the police."

"I will. I'll talk to you next week." I slid my phone into my pocket. If the police didn't find the stalker soon, I'd have no choice but to hire a bodyguard. I wasn't risking anyone else's life. Not again.

I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the chill that crept down my spine during the call. Seeing Alex come out of the general store carrying a bag stuffed with groceries pulled me back to the present.

It was time to buy a barbecue grill.