“Is there something between the two of you? She is intriguing looking. Really weird with that hair and the bizarre eyes.”

Intriguing? Yeah, that was it. Laurel was also purely and naturally beautiful. There was nothing weird about her looks. “You know I don’t mix business with anything else, ever.” In fact, when he’d started dating Rachel, she’d been a freelance travel writer. Why had they even gotten engaged? It had seemed like a good idea at the moment, but now he couldn’t remember why he’d agreed. “I have nothing for you on this case, Rachel.”

“Well, I might have a thing or two for you. I’m good at my job. I’ll trade you for information.”

He stiffened. If he remembered correctly, she was great at digging up leads. Maybe she did know something about the case. “It’s late. I’ll think about dinner and let you know. Right now, I have to go.” He clicked off and looked at his unfinished noodles. So much for his appetite.

His phone buzzed again and his temper awoke. Then he caught sight of the caller. “Laurel?”

“Hi, Huck.” He could hear the rustle of clothing. “We have another body. It’s the mayor’s sister-in-law.”

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Laurel drank the extra strong coffee she’d brought from home as Huck drove an hour up into the mountains to the far reaches of Genesis Valley near Scottish Lake. Heat blasted from the vents, and her seat warmer was on high, nicely warming her glutes. “You don’t always have to drive.” Although tonight, he did. She’d had several glasses of wine with dinner, and while it had been a few hours, her head wasn’t clear yet.

“I prefer to drive.” He navigated around another bend, his truck heavy on the snow. His dog snoozed quietly in his crate in the back.

The man appeared to have control issues, but he was also an experienced winter driver. “I had no idea the city of Genesis Valley extended so far into the mountains.” Which meant that Sheriff York had jurisdiction for now. Unfortunately. “Tell me about Scottish Lake. I remember seeing it on a map, but I don’t know much about it.”

He ducked his head to look up at the dark sky. “It’s two hours from Everett and three from Seattle. It’s where rich people go to spend leisure time and unplug during the summer months. No motors are allowed on the lake, so no boats or jet skis.”

“Sail boats?” She took another drink and the potent brew hit her stomach.