Wright In Danger

Chapter Eleven

Officer's had been sent out by the time Beau returned. Loraine was looking better while June looked stressed. Feeling his gaze, her eyes met his. "Between the four of us, I'm sure we can come up with at least someone who would want to scare her." At this Loraine seemed to hunch into herself. "I haven't done anything to anyone. I don't have a bad memory. I've never had a truly terrible customer complaint. I greet every person that walks through the door...I don't get it." Laying his hands on the table, a thought came to him. He didn't like it.

"What if it's not a customer? We need to consider outside of that. You said you've never done anything to anyone. You did though." Three pairs of eyes turned on him. "Beau. What are you getting at?" Loraine asked. By the tone of her question she had caught on to what he was about to say. "The kidnapper. You interfered. We have to consider it." He was blunt but there really was no other way to be about it. It made the most sense. Any color in her face she had regained was gone again. "So what do you propose I do?" 

His gaze moved back to June. "Stay with her for the night. Since I know you'll be returning to the shop tomorrow." Looking at each other, they couldn't say it wasn't a sound idea. "Alright. We'll do that. I'll cross my fingers Solei doesn't get wind of those officers at my house. I'd rather not have to explain." He hadn't thought of Solei. "Hopefully the amber alert will keep her occupied. Allison's kidnapping is our top priority." Nodding she stared off. "I don't know if I'm going to be ready for tomorrow." Crouching down beside her, Rosalie spoke softly. 

"Of course you can. You're Loraine Adams. Besides. I really can't go another day without your coffee. Please say you'll be open." Lips twitching, Loraine gave her a shove. "Yes, Rosalie. I'll open the shop tomorrow." After that they were waiting to hear word from the officers. The women talked while Beau kept to himself. He hated that he had to raise the possibility of the kidnapper. Other than provide a who it gave them nothing else. Whoever had taken Allison was still very much an enigma at this point. They needed to get back to the lists and see what they turned up.

The officers finally made their return. Beau left the room to hear what they had gathered. The small group of them were heading for the chief's office when he whistled to get their attention. Turning as one, he beckoned them over. "What were you able to get?" They glanced at each other before the one appointed to speak told him. "We weren't. All of them claimed not to have seen anyone suspicious. I think this business with the kidnapper has people...jittery." Thanking them, they went their separate ways. Turning to head back to the room, his phone went off. 

"Hello? This is Detective Beau Tanner." There was a small gasp. "Detective. This is Cheryl, the Wrights neighbor. I was wondering if you might be able to talk with me for a bit. I think you'll find what i have to say...interesting." The voice in his head told him not to put her off. That she would either keep calling back or show up unannounced. "Did you want to come in or meet up a spot of your choosing?" That way she couldn't say he hadn't been polite. "We can meet up at the bench outside the apartment. No need to go far." Setting their meeting in the next twenty minutes, he hung up.

Re-entering the room, all eyes turned on him. "What did they have to say?" Loraine asked. He let out a breath. "Nothing turned up. The officers seem to think the kidnapping has everyone on edge." It gutted him to see the disappointment on her face. "I'm sorry. I also got a call from the Wrights neighbor. Cheryl. She said she had something interesting to tell me. You ever meet her?" June rolled her eyes. "She could easily be runner up as the towns second worst gossip. The first time we met her, she was telling us about EVERYONE. No filter. I don't think I could close my mouth for the next hour." 

So what she had to say wasn't going to be so much interesting as it was her bending his ear. Got it. "I'll let you know when we're done talking. I'll bring lunch." Leaving the station he could say with certainty he wasn't looking forward to his conversation with Cheryl. He'd rather be comforting Loraine. She was the one who needed him most at this time. He crossed his fingers the conversation wouldn't drag out too long.

Walking across the grass to said bench, she was already waiting. Legs crossed and looking smug, wearing over sized sunglasses, he sat down beside her. He cut to the chase. "What do you have for me?" She shifted to face him better. "I met that lovely woman. Ina, if memory serves. Now there's a woman that knows how to ask her questions. I was impressed." Just what he needed. Ina thinking she had a pass into the building. Cheryl seemed right as rain to let it happen. "We're going to circle back to Ina. What did the two of you talk about?"

"How he was coping. What was my take on Allison. The such. You know these walls are paper thin. I hear more than I ought to." Beau had to work not to roll his eyes. "What did you tell her? When Colson finds out you've been spreading their information freely..." He shook his head. It was not going to go down well. It could result in him storming into the station demand they do something about her. "I'm asking that you don't encourage her. This is a kidnapping, Cheryl. Not your chance at fifteen minutes of fame."

Smile slipping, her eyes flickered. "I'm not trying to disrespect the situation, detective. I feel the town should know who Allison was. What her life entailed before she was taken. Playing on their sympathies will go a long way in helping your investigation." Eyes going hard, their stare off only broke when Beau eye contact. "No. You'll do it the right way. You will ask for Colson's permission. This investigation involves his only family. Ina can wait until you are given Colson's all clear. Am I understood?" Dropping an arm to the back of the bench, she huffed. "Fine. I'll ask his permission. When did Ina show up?"

She went quiet. Contemplative. "An hour to an hour and half ago. She was all leaning up against the bricks, trying to look casual. Don't have the slightest idea how she thought she was going to pull that off in all the money she's wearing." No. Casual didn't fit with Ina. " You mentioned the walls were paper thin. What conversations have you heard between the Wright siblings?" Brow rising, she got more comfortable. "I've heard plenty. Those two fight worse than any siblings I've ever had the displeasure of sharing a building with."

They talked until Beau felt there was nothing else he could get from her. Pushing to his feet, she looked up at him. "What does this case mean to you, detective?" The question shouldn't have felt like it came from left field but it did. placing his hands in his pockets, he hadn't yet asked himself that question. He wasn't entirely trusting that she wouldn't go against talking with Ina. If he gave any type of answer now, she could give it to Ina and she could twist his words however she saw fit. He wasn't going to allow her the luxury. "Have a good day, Cheryl."

Picking up lunch on the way back to the station. Beau hoped everyone was in the mood for subs. He figured they were the lease chance of him messing up. Walking through the door, all eyes turned on him. Or rather the bag in his hand. They followed while he set it down and began pulling the subs out. Rosalie was at them first, prompting Loraine and June to follow suit. As they unwrapped them, he waited while they chose the ones they wanted while he took the last one. "Thanks for the food," Rosalie said, taking a hefty bite. "Ditto. How did the conversation with Cheryl go?" Loraine asked.

He unwrapped his sub as he answered. "She talked with Ina. They hit it off and now she's under the impression the two of them are buddies. She has no idea the hornets nest that Ina actually can be. I told her not to say another word to Ina without express permission from Colson. I don't need him coming in here and starting in on us. She told me some other stuff and I made my leave. I don't want or need Ina getting close to Colson."