sorry. That was everything I had.”
“And very thorough, I might add. Believe me, we appreciate it.”
He had dark eyes, like chocolate, warm and melting.
“You’re welcome,” I said.
He folded his arms and leaned on top of the counter. “I understand DEA is going to put a guy in here. Undercover.”
I thought we were supposed to keep that under wraps but what the heck, not my job. “Yes, sir. That’s what they told me.”
“He’s not in place yet?”
“No, sir, he hasn’t checked in with me.”
Kincaid reached over and ran a forefinger through the bowl of peppermints on the counter.
“My father is sir,” he smiled. “You can call me John.”
“Fine, John,” I said. “I still haven’t seen the other guy.”
The detective straightened up, giving the counter a pat with both hands. “All right, then. I’ll check back with you in a few days. If anything should come up, give me a call.” He reached into a back pocket and pulled out a card that he slid across to me. “My cell number is on the back, if I’m not at the station. Call any time.”
He somehow managed to make that sound like an invitation.
“Will do,” I said, moving around the counter to escort him out and lock up behind him.
He took the hint and went to the door, which I held open for him.
“You take care now, Mrs. ?”
“Miss,” I corrected, and stuck out my hand. “Montoya. Marlena Montoya.”
He shook my hand, his own firm and a little callused. “Miss Montoya, then.”
“Marlena is fine,” I said.
“Okay, Marlena, nice to meet you. I’ll check in with you from time to time. I don’t think we’ll see them again. Once they’ve been spotted they’ll shift the trail. If you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance, just call.”
“Sure thing,” I said, and opened the door a little wider.
With a nod, he finally stepped outside and I closed and locked the door. I closed out the register, printed the deposit slip and closed the office, putting the gate on automatic. Shutting off the lights and closing the blinds, I finished the evening routine, picked up my keys and the deposit bag.
There was something familiar about Detective Kincaid, something I couldn’t quite place. Not unusual in a small town. I had probably seen him at Kelly’s, the local diner or the grocery store over the ridge in Monarch Beach. It would come to me, or in all probability, I would run into him again.
Jade Beach and Monarch Beach are both small towns separated by a ridge that runs from the hills into the ocean, breaking into steep cliffs where it meets the water. Jade is home port for a small fishing fleet as well as larger boats that put in for supplies and repairs. The twin docks there are always busy. Monarch is smaller and has no industry. However, it does have town amenities, such as a post office, police station, hardware store and two grocery stores among others. It was a safe bet I’d run into Detective Kincaid again.
On the way to the bank I wondered if I should have mentioned the sweatshirt left on my door, then decided it had no bearing on the case. My adventure with the guy on the beach had nothing to do with cases of drugs in my storage units. I had never reported the beach incident.
With a shrug I forgot about it and made the deposit.
Saturday was pretty busy, customers in and out all day. Being a weekend Steve was on duty in the office leaving me free to get some weeding, a chore I was eager to pass on to the undercover guy.
I knocked off and went upstairs before the office closed. Steve was a talker. If he caught me I would be hung up in conversation for another hour. I went upstairs and ordered a pizza. I deserved it having put in a good day in the flowerbeds.
I jumped into the shower while I waited for the delivery.
I pulled on sweats after I dried off,