Read Online A Love to Treasure (Sunriver Dreams Book 1) by Kimberly Rose Johnson - Free Book Online
Authors: Kimberly Rose Johnson
Tags: Sunriver Dreams Book One
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“For a rookie you’re sure cocky—especially a rookie at your age. Then again from what I overheard, maybe you think you’re better than the rest of us. Because it seems to me you misrepresented yourself to the woman. She’s under the impression you’re an expert detective.” Spencer signaled and turned into the station’s parking lot.
Mark sighed. He never should’ve asked to ride along. “You make it sound like I’m ancient. I’m only thirty-two, and I didn’t lie to Nicole.”
“Sounded like it to me.”
“Will you let it go?”
“Can’t.” He shifted and looked Mark in the eye. “Look, I don’t care how you pick up on women, but don’t lie about your qualifications to do it.”
Mark ground his teeth. Keeping his past quiet wasn’t worth this. “I said I didn’t lie to her. I’m a detective in Portland. I’ve been on the force for ten years.”
A slow grin spread across Spencer’s face. “Now that wasn’t so hard was it?”
“Huh?”
Spencer opened the door. “I already knew about Portland. But I wanted you to tell me. Sorry about having to use the woman to get you to confess.”
“You baited me!” He reached for the door then hesitated. “So you don’t believe Nicole is guilty?”
“It crossed my mind for about a second. But she doesn’t fit the profile. She hasn’t been here long enough to be our suspect.”
Mark’s shoulders relaxed, and a slow grin worked its way across his face as he shook his head. Part of him wanted to laugh, while another part of him wanted to give the guy a piece of his mind.
“Sorry about your partner by the way. I saw your file opened on the Chief’s desk. I know I shouldn’t have read it but couldn’t help myself.”
Mark’s grin faded. He hopped out and crossed his arms. “You knew this whole time?” Annoyance mingled with anger toward the Chief. The man should’ve been more careful with his private information. “Who else knows?”
“Only me. I made sure to close the file.” He cleared his throat. “Figured you wouldn’t be able to resist this case. I hadn’t counted on needing the help of your friend to get you involved though.” He moved toward the station.
Mark ran around the car and followed. “Was this some kind of set up?”
“In a way. I thought you’d be an asset.”
Mark shook his head, barely able to believe what he was hearing. He didn’t know whether he should respect this guy for his ability to get to the truth or should be annoyed with him for being nosy and coercive. “So all this time you’ve been manipulating me to do exactly what you wanted.”
“Pretty much.” Spencer chuckled. “You had me worried. I was beginning to think you were going to turn in your badge at the end of the summer, but there’s hope for you.” He tossed the words over his shoulder. “I want your report on my desk within the hour. I think we’re close. They messed up this time by hitting an occupied house.”
“Yeah. Either that or they’re getting braver.” What if they started burglarizing houses regardless of occupancy? Mark sat at his assigned computer and got busy. Why had Nicole’s house been hit when it was surrounded by vacant houses? His head jerked up. Why hadn’t he thought to check that? Had they been robbed also?
Chapter Eight
From her driveway, Nicole made a quick call to Connor, then tossed her suitcase into the car and peeled out of the street. No way would she stay there another night. Her only regret was leaving all the books she hadn’t had time to read—plus there was still the good book clue she hadn’t figured out. But it couldn’t be helped. Grams wouldn’t want her in danger.
She carefully navigated the road leading to the rental company. Maybe this was a sign that she should go home. She followed the curve of the road and then slammed on her brakes. A deer stood in the middle of the street. Lazily moving its gaze from her car, it meandered toward the
“For a rookie you’re sure cocky—especially a rookie at your age. Then again from what I overheard, maybe you think you’re better than the rest of us. Because it seems to me you misrepresented yourself to the woman. She’s under the impression you’re an expert detective.” Spencer signaled and turned into the station’s parking lot.
Mark sighed. He never should’ve asked to ride along. “You make it sound like I’m ancient. I’m only thirty-two, and I didn’t lie to Nicole.”
“Sounded like it to me.”
“Will you let it go?”
“Can’t.” He shifted and looked Mark in the eye. “Look, I don’t care how you pick up on women, but don’t lie about your qualifications to do it.”
Mark ground his teeth. Keeping his past quiet wasn’t worth this. “I said I didn’t lie to her. I’m a detective in Portland. I’ve been on the force for ten years.”
A slow grin spread across Spencer’s face. “Now that wasn’t so hard was it?”
“Huh?”
Spencer opened the door. “I already knew about Portland. But I wanted you to tell me. Sorry about having to use the woman to get you to confess.”
“You baited me!” He reached for the door then hesitated. “So you don’t believe Nicole is guilty?”
“It crossed my mind for about a second. But she doesn’t fit the profile. She hasn’t been here long enough to be our suspect.”
Mark’s shoulders relaxed, and a slow grin worked its way across his face as he shook his head. Part of him wanted to laugh, while another part of him wanted to give the guy a piece of his mind.
“Sorry about your partner by the way. I saw your file opened on the Chief’s desk. I know I shouldn’t have read it but couldn’t help myself.”
Mark’s grin faded. He hopped out and crossed his arms. “You knew this whole time?” Annoyance mingled with anger toward the Chief. The man should’ve been more careful with his private information. “Who else knows?”
“Only me. I made sure to close the file.” He cleared his throat. “Figured you wouldn’t be able to resist this case. I hadn’t counted on needing the help of your friend to get you involved though.” He moved toward the station.
Mark ran around the car and followed. “Was this some kind of set up?”
“In a way. I thought you’d be an asset.”
Mark shook his head, barely able to believe what he was hearing. He didn’t know whether he should respect this guy for his ability to get to the truth or should be annoyed with him for being nosy and coercive. “So all this time you’ve been manipulating me to do exactly what you wanted.”
“Pretty much.” Spencer chuckled. “You had me worried. I was beginning to think you were going to turn in your badge at the end of the summer, but there’s hope for you.” He tossed the words over his shoulder. “I want your report on my desk within the hour. I think we’re close. They messed up this time by hitting an occupied house.”
“Yeah. Either that or they’re getting braver.” What if they started burglarizing houses regardless of occupancy? Mark sat at his assigned computer and got busy. Why had Nicole’s house been hit when it was surrounded by vacant houses? His head jerked up. Why hadn’t he thought to check that? Had they been robbed also?
Chapter Eight
From her driveway, Nicole made a quick call to Connor, then tossed her suitcase into the car and peeled out of the street. No way would she stay there another night. Her only regret was leaving all the books she hadn’t had time to read—plus there was still the good book clue she hadn’t figured out. But it couldn’t be helped. Grams wouldn’t want her in danger.
She carefully navigated the road leading to the rental company. Maybe this was a sign that she should go home. She followed the curve of the road and then slammed on her brakes. A deer stood in the middle of the street. Lazily moving its gaze from her car, it meandered toward the
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