at Dulles and see what info they have on the renter.”
“Thanks, ‘Dad.’ I already have a call in to the manager.”
“Hey, it’s been a long time since you’ve done any real police work. You may have lost your touch, what with all the party planning and quiet streets you’ve been dealing with,” Chuck snorted.
“I don’t mind being thought of as a yokel. But, it doesn’t mean I work like one. This is a sleepy town and I want it to stay that way. Goodnight, Chuck.” Sean hung up the phone and returned to his online search.
The pounding on the front door drew his attention away from the computer. The plywood made a less than ideal window to the main entrance. Rising, he blanked his screen and then ambled to the door.
Shadowed in the front entry’s burned-out security light, another thing on Alvin’s to-do list, he couldn’t make out who was on the other side of the frosted glass. He yanked the door open to Maggie McKitrick.
Her cheeks were tinged pink and her chin had a tiny smudge of chocolate screaming at him to wipe clean. He motioned for her to enter. “What brings you by the station at this hour?”
“I was locking up and saw your light. I thought maybe you didn’t get any dinner. I brought you a sandwich and some chips. I didn’t have any soda, but figured you might have something here. But I wasn’t sure and so I didn’t bring a beverage. I guess I should have.” She bit her bottom lip. Her nervousness was endearing. Her cheeks seemed to bloom a deeper shade of pink while she spoke. He could get used to a nervous Maggie, except maybe when she pulled a knife on him.
“Is there just one sandwich, or did you make enough for two?”
“Well, I didn’t like to think of you eating alone, so there might be a couple sandwiches in the bag. But if you are hungry I have food at home and can leave you to your work.”
Resting his hip against Alvin’s desk, he looked into the open bag. “Although I am sure I could eat both of these sandwiches, I would much prefer to share them with you. Do you mind making do with my desk for a picnic table?”
“As long as you don’t mind. I wouldn’t want to get in your way. Or keep you here any later.”
She moved toward his office and he caught the aroma of chocolate that she wore like the finest perfume. She wasn’t just beautiful, she was delectable. He shook his head. We’re working towards friends here Taylor, just friends. He motioned for her to sit in the chair opposite his desk as he slid into his own chair. He opened the bag and pulled out the two sandwiches and potato chips.
“This one is chicken salad. It has nuts, so if you are allergic…” She said pointing to the sandwich closest to her.
“Not allergic.”
She reached for the second sandwich package. “This one is ham and Swiss with some apple chutney. They’re both on potato bread. It’s a new recipe. I’m thinking about carrying bread. Not quite sure if it’s a good idea.” Her voice had a slight quiver.
“Apple chutney? Potato bread? Chicken salad with nuts? What happened to a little yellow mustard on white bread with a couple pieces of ham and cheese in between? You know this is Gibson’s Run, Ohio, right?” He smirked.
“Yes, I know this is Gibson’s Run. I do live here. But just because this is a small town in the ‘Heart of it All,’ doesn’t mean you can’t try something a little unique.” She mirrored his crossed arms and let out a sigh. “And who thinks nuts in chicken salad are exotic?”
“I didn’t say exotic.” He chuckled.
“Well, regardless. You need to broaden your horizons beyond mustard and white bread. There’s a whole foodie world out there just waiting to be nibbled on.” She thrust a half of the chicken salad sandwich within centimeters of his face.
He took a bite, brushing her fingers with his lips. The combination of flavors burst through. He could taste basil and a hint of garlic, softened by the juicy grapes and sweet pecans. The
“Thanks, ‘Dad.’ I already have a call in to the manager.”
“Hey, it’s been a long time since you’ve done any real police work. You may have lost your touch, what with all the party planning and quiet streets you’ve been dealing with,” Chuck snorted.
“I don’t mind being thought of as a yokel. But, it doesn’t mean I work like one. This is a sleepy town and I want it to stay that way. Goodnight, Chuck.” Sean hung up the phone and returned to his online search.
The pounding on the front door drew his attention away from the computer. The plywood made a less than ideal window to the main entrance. Rising, he blanked his screen and then ambled to the door.
Shadowed in the front entry’s burned-out security light, another thing on Alvin’s to-do list, he couldn’t make out who was on the other side of the frosted glass. He yanked the door open to Maggie McKitrick.
Her cheeks were tinged pink and her chin had a tiny smudge of chocolate screaming at him to wipe clean. He motioned for her to enter. “What brings you by the station at this hour?”
“I was locking up and saw your light. I thought maybe you didn’t get any dinner. I brought you a sandwich and some chips. I didn’t have any soda, but figured you might have something here. But I wasn’t sure and so I didn’t bring a beverage. I guess I should have.” She bit her bottom lip. Her nervousness was endearing. Her cheeks seemed to bloom a deeper shade of pink while she spoke. He could get used to a nervous Maggie, except maybe when she pulled a knife on him.
“Is there just one sandwich, or did you make enough for two?”
“Well, I didn’t like to think of you eating alone, so there might be a couple sandwiches in the bag. But if you are hungry I have food at home and can leave you to your work.”
Resting his hip against Alvin’s desk, he looked into the open bag. “Although I am sure I could eat both of these sandwiches, I would much prefer to share them with you. Do you mind making do with my desk for a picnic table?”
“As long as you don’t mind. I wouldn’t want to get in your way. Or keep you here any later.”
She moved toward his office and he caught the aroma of chocolate that she wore like the finest perfume. She wasn’t just beautiful, she was delectable. He shook his head. We’re working towards friends here Taylor, just friends. He motioned for her to sit in the chair opposite his desk as he slid into his own chair. He opened the bag and pulled out the two sandwiches and potato chips.
“This one is chicken salad. It has nuts, so if you are allergic…” She said pointing to the sandwich closest to her.
“Not allergic.”
She reached for the second sandwich package. “This one is ham and Swiss with some apple chutney. They’re both on potato bread. It’s a new recipe. I’m thinking about carrying bread. Not quite sure if it’s a good idea.” Her voice had a slight quiver.
“Apple chutney? Potato bread? Chicken salad with nuts? What happened to a little yellow mustard on white bread with a couple pieces of ham and cheese in between? You know this is Gibson’s Run, Ohio, right?” He smirked.
“Yes, I know this is Gibson’s Run. I do live here. But just because this is a small town in the ‘Heart of it All,’ doesn’t mean you can’t try something a little unique.” She mirrored his crossed arms and let out a sigh. “And who thinks nuts in chicken salad are exotic?”
“I didn’t say exotic.” He chuckled.
“Well, regardless. You need to broaden your horizons beyond mustard and white bread. There’s a whole foodie world out there just waiting to be nibbled on.” She thrust a half of the chicken salad sandwich within centimeters of his face.
He took a bite, brushing her fingers with his lips. The combination of flavors burst through. He could taste basil and a hint of garlic, softened by the juicy grapes and sweet pecans. The
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