Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
"Got it." Tinsley takes the paper and practically skips out, leaving her ride and brother standing here.
"Sorry," he tells Beckett. "You're on her shit list. Good luck getting off of it,” Tim adds before following his sister.
"That was rude," she mutters under her breath.
"And that is what I mean. You think it doesn't mean shit that you're on her shit list. It does. It will spread." I leave out that it most certainly already has. People around here don’t take too kindly to strangers as it is. Sure, they deal with the tourists just fine, but that’s because they know they’re temporary.
"People are going to take what a teenager says seriously?"
"That one, yeah. This is a small town. You'll get yourself iced out."
"That's why you bend the rules for all of them." I can't do this with her anymore, and I'm done trying to explain it to her. I'm sure whatever place she has found to rent will fall through in a few days. I'll also be sending her back and saying Beckett isn't a fit for New Hope, but not until I'm sure it's not her fucking with Kindred.
It's disappointing. If I were to have a fellow officer in town, I would prefer her to be female so that she could handle more delicate calls if the need arises.
I don't bother to respond to her and get back to the important task at hand: going over the information that I have been able to dig up today on Beckett. With the holiday just a couple of days away, everyone is taking their time in responding to me.
What I can do is pull up the hardware stores in the surrounding towns and reach out, asking if anyone has bought red spray paint in the last couple of days. That's how I spend the rest of my day, and get a couple of hits from a few stores who said they'll see if they can pull camera footage and receipts if they were paid with a card to get the name and get back to me. It’s not much, but at least it’s a start.
An alert goes off, letting me know Kindred has left Town Hall and isn't headed toward the mayor's house. I pull out my phone to text her. We had a deal, but as I start typing, a text from her pops up.
Cupcake: I'm headed your way.
That is followed with a slew of emojis. They start off sweet and I believe turn dirty, but I'm no emoji expert.
Me: I'll come get you.
I don't want her coming down to the station today, near Beckett. There is no reason for it.
Cupcake: I need to come there.
I shut down my computer and get all my shit together.
"You can head out," I tell Beckett, putting my coat on. I'm not quick enough. The trek from Town Hall to the station is not long. Kindred comes strolling in with a basket in her arms.
"I'm glad I caught you guys." She gives a warm smile. How does she get prettier and prettier? I bet if she'd left New Hope and had gone to the city, those modeling casters, or whatever they are called, would have offered her millions to be on all those makeup and magazine covers. I don't care what Beckett is saying; I'm not biased. This is simply fact. "I got this for you."
Kindred takes the basket over to Beckett, setting it on her desk.
“For me?” She sounds skeptical. I’m not. This is Kindred at the end of the day. Always thinking of others. Don’t get me wrong; she can be a brat at times, but she wears her heart on her sleeve, and it always wins out in the end. Most times, anyway.
"A little birdie, and mind you, there are a lot of little birdies in this town"—a small, sweet laugh leaves her—"told me that you're moving to New Hope, and I think we got off on the wrong foot. So this is my peace offering."
All the shit she had to get done today, and she made time to put a basket together. From here I can see it's filled with treats and trinkets from the shops all over town.
"Oh, wow." Beckett shifts on her feet, for once appearing awkward. "Thanks."
"If you need anything, you can always pop into Town Hall and ask. I tend to be around." Beckett nods. Now she's at a loss for words too? "I'll see you tomorrow at the wedding."
"Yeah, I see you too." Kindred strolls over toward me. "How are you doing, handsome?" She places her hands on my chest, lifting to offer me her mouth. I take it. "Cash," Kindred laughs when I finally release her. I'm sure she only meant to give me a quick kiss, but if I have the opportunity, I'm indulging in her mouth for as long as I can.