Present Danger

in his last assignment working undercover as a bodyguard to a high-profile criminal now behind bars.
He shaved his whiskers and took in the scar on his midsection where the bullet had almost killed him. At least he’d saved the journalist that night. He’d been too late for—
He gripped the edges of the sink and hung his head. Jack squeezed his eyes shut and steadied his nerves. He would be no good today if he didn’t put what happened behind him.
He finished dressing, then rushed out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, where Aunt Nadine sat drinking coffee and playing with a dog he’d never seen. He chuckled to himself. Another stray.
“Morning.” He kissed her on the cheek, then plated eggs, bacon, and toast that waited on the stove.
“Morning, Jack. You busy today?”
He paused. Uh-oh. The way she asked that . . . “Why? Did you need help with something?”
“I want to put some lost and found posters up for Freckles, here.” She was looking to the new stray addition to the family, a copper-and-white cocker spaniel. “He has a boy out there somewhere. I just know it.”
Aunt Nadine had a reputation for taking in strays—humans and animals alike. He couldn’t fault her for her soft, caring heart. After all, she’d taken in her granddaughter when her own daughter was spending too much time partying and was too high to care for her own child. That seemed to be a family curse. Drugs and alcohol. Then Aunt Nadine had taken Jack in too. Some might have expected her to do that since she was his aunt, but he was a lot of trouble for her and Uncle Barry, before he died.
Jack downed black coffee. “I can help you with that, but I have something I need to do first, if that’s okay.”
“You mean on that murder.”
“Yep. I need to stay on top of it. That’s my job here, and you wouldn’t want me to mess up. You want me to find who killed Jim, don’t you?”
“Yes. I know you’ll find that murderer. You were FBI before, after all. They can use your skills in the county. You’re the best thing to happen to the sheriff’s office in a long time.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” And that’s why he kept his secret from her. If she knew one of the reasons he left his former job, it would break her heart. He rinsed his plate and hers. “You wait for me to get back. We’ll put the posters up everywhere, I promise.”
In his vehicle, Jack headed straight for Jim and Pauline’s home. Cars lined the driveway and the street. Relatives, families, and friends. Though Jack dreaded facing the bereaved widow, he needed to question her about Jim’s day and his connections. His home could be part of the narrative, too, since evidence or clues might be found there.
Considering Jim knew everyone and was supposedly loved by everyone, this investigation could get complicated. But it was clear that at least one person didn’t love Jim Raymond.
Jack received a text and looked at his phone. Terra. They’d exchanged numbers yesterday just in case he required assistance.
I’m here with Pauline. Where are you?
Confusion rocked through him. She wasn’t investigating the murder, so what was she doing there? Maybe she’d stopped in to give her condolences. He didn’t waste time responding.
He hiked up the driveway, weaving between parked vehicles, then marched up the porch steps to stand at the door.
He dreaded causing Pauline more pain. Maybe Terra getting here and going in first was a good thing and would help his approach.
A stocky older man opened the door before Jack even knocked. Jack introduced himself and stated the purpose of his visit.
The man’s face remained grim. “I’m JB, Pauline’s brother. Follow me.”
JB led him through the home, down a hallway, and past closed doors to one in particular. Jack hoped those gathered at the house would feel his compassion and understanding for Pauline’s loss. JB opened the door to allow Jack inside. He stepped into a bedroom and found Pauline in tears and Terra at her side.
Terra shoved her shoulder-length brown hair out of her face. “Pauline was sharing about the argument she had with Jim the night before he died.”
Jack glared at her. What are you doing questioning his wife?
Her brows pinched as she subtly shook her head.
Now wasn’t the time to reprimand her, but he would make sure Pauline understood his role. “I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Raymond. My name is Jack Tanner, and I’m a detective with the county. I’ll be investigating your husband’s murder.”
He drew out his pad to take notes.
Pauline wiped the tears away with more tissues, adding to the pile. A fist grabbed his heart and squeezed.
“I nagged him. I know I did. The washing machine had been causing problems for weeks now. And I was tired of it. I told him he could just wait for the repairman. I had to leave because my sister was having gallbladder surgery. I was going to stay with her overnight, but I got the call from the sheriff, so I came right home.”
“Do you know if Jim had planned to meet someone that night?” Jack asked.
Pauline blew her nose. “You do realize that Jim was in insurance? That meant he was often gone in the evenings meeting people to sell them more insurance. He was old school. Loved the personal touch, and his clients appreciated that. We lived on commissions and not a salary, so he was always working.”
“Did he have a home office?”
Pauline nodded. “He used to lease space downtown but recently decided to work from home.”
“Could you show me?”
Pauline rose slowly, and Terra supported her when she appeared unsteady on her feet. “His office is down the hallway. I already told the sheriff you’re free to look around and search wherever you need to. If you’ll excuse me, I want to wash my face.”
Good. That meant they wouldn’t need a warrant. She stepped into the bathroom. Terra turned to Jack