Elizabeth C. Main - Jane Serrano 02 - No Rest for the Wicked Read Online Free PDF Page B

the desk, the deputy smiled. “ Good evening, m a’am. I’m Deputy Swenson. How may I assist you? ” He was not only polite, but he had beautiful teeth.
    I wondered whether Deputy Grumpy at the door knew that smiling wasn’t against departmental policy. “ Is Brady Newman on duty tonight? ”
    “ Let me check. ” He tapped out a few strokes on his keyboard. “ You’re in luck. He’s in the building. If you’ll wait ov er there, I’ll get him for you … ? ”
    “ Jane Serrano. Yes, thank you. ”
    I moved toward the bank of chairs he indicated. I never could decide whether the domed circular reception hall of the new courthouse reminded me of a space ship or a train station. Whatever, this monstrosity had been built with expansion in mind. Why such a grandiose building for out-of the-way Russell County? Too many vacationers and developers had already found us, with more on the way as the building boom in neighboring Deschutes County spilled over.
    I sank into a chair. Last summer I’d been so focused on getting Bianca out of here that I hadn’t looked around before. The elevated ceiling swallowed sound, almost as though humans didn’t really belong here. That was fine with me. I’d be on my way as soon as possible.
    Attempts had been made to make the place inviting, with magazines scattered on the low tables and scenic photographs of the high desert on the walls. Nice photos, though their magazine selection could use some work: Field & Stream , Woman’s Day , and, inexplicably, Arizona Highways . P erhaps Thornton’s could donate copies of Crime and Punishment , or possibly The Trial to remind people that breaki ng the law wasn’t a good idea.
    “ Ms. Serrano? ”
    From the concerned look on Brady Newman’s face, I suspected that he’d been standing there for some time. His uniform was pressed, his shoes sh ined, but his round young face— surely he wasn’t old enough for this job—made me wonder why the coun ty gave babies badges and guns.
    “ Oh, Brady, I didn’t hear you. ” I rose to greet him and found myself still looking up a considerable distance. Minnie’s former Sunday school pupil had put on a few years, and more than a few pounds, since Minnie had taught him his Bible verses. “ I’m so glad you’re here tonight. You know how much we appreciated your help last year with that horrible mix-up. ” I paused to let him remember that bond on his own, trying to indicate without words that surely people who wanted to do the right thing, people who were not intimidated by bureaucratic rules and regulations, people who’d learned their Sunday school lessons well, should stick together.
    Brady’s eyes didn’t quite meet mine. “ It’s nice to see you again, too. ”
    The fact that he looked somewhere over my left shoulder as he spoke told me that he remembered, all right. This bland fa c ade, so different from Brady’s natural friendliness, chilled any hope that Alix’s dete ntion had a simple explanation .
    I tried for an offhand tone. “ There’s been some misunderstanding about Alix. I understand she’s here , and I ’d hoped I could see her, or you could tell me— ”
    “ Sorry. ” Brady’s voice was low. Without moving a step, he retreated further into himself. Now he was looking over my other shoulder. “ I can’t do that. ”
    “ Which part? ” I smiled as best I could while my stomach muscles knotted. “ I can’t see her , or you can’t tell me what’s happened? ”
    “ I’m really sorry, Ms. Serrano. ”
    “ Ms. Serrano! What happened to ‘Jane ’ ? ”
    “ Sorry, m a’am. I’m on duty. ” Brady’s reddening cheeks made him look younger by the minute, even as he concentrated on presenting himself professionally.
    We faced each other in silence. As I tried to think what to do or say next, he settled the matter by looking directly at me for the first time. The despair in his eyes made me gasp. This young deputy had experienced something that haunted