Summer Bliss: Book 1 {Revised}

Here's To Love

As the day progressed the sun dipped behind the western tree line. Vehicles drove in and out of the park leisurely. Oblivious to the ominous energy that overshadowed the area. Milo sat in his truck, idling not too far from the main entrance. A hushed feminine voice filtered in through the open windows. Absentmindedly, he watched Elaina pace back and forth in front of the hood.

Elaina's nose crinkled and her brows furrowed deeply. She was on her fourth phone call and judging by her expressions, the news wasn't good. A scowl formed. Her hushed tone grew, teetering on becoming a yell. When she yanked the phone away from her ear, Milo knew they lost.

Quickly he pretended to shuffle through his own phone as she headed to the passenger seat. Sighing heavily when she slammed his truck door. He didn't recall her name being on the title.

"So," Elaina turned to face him, "We have no authority to close the park. Especially due to nature taking its course." She used air quotations to emphasize the last four words.

"There was a murder here yesterday!"

"You mean bear attack?" Elaina sighed heavily. "The autopsy reports were received. It's ruled non-homicide. Words from my Director: If I don't want to get reprimanded, I should stop wasting time and resources."

Milo threw the head against the headrest. His face held a look of defeat, but his eyes still a glimmer of hope. They'd spent all morning trying to convince the governor to close the cape temporarily. Hell, they even asked the National Park Director. Every attempt was met with hang ups or criticism.

"What do we do now?"

He turned to the sound of Elaina's voice. Her face was stoic, eyes showing apathy. A frown graced his face. This was not the same spitfire from earlier. Albeit Milo was enjoying the quietness, this just wasn't a time to sulk.

"We continue to do our jobs. I'll go warn people. You can do the same or you can go back to your department. I'll stay at the station tonight. Hopefully, I can catch who or what is behind this."

"I'll join you tonight. McDermott can handle the reports. He owes me."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"You can't honestly say investigating by yourself is a good idea? We both saw the carnage out there." Elaina sat up straighter in her seat. Her eyes followed Milo's movements as he lit a cigarette. Milo sighed.

"Why do you insist on helping? Before you stated it was because of suspicion but there's got to be more. You're a detective. I'm sure you have other cases to solve. One's like these, they don't even get a five-minute segment on the news."

Milo spoke softly and genuinely. His goal wasn't to sass or condescend, he was curious about her investment. While the park wasn't a stranger to instances, it was strange for federal officers to prolong a closed investigation. Elaina was silent as she studied Milo's face. He watched her eyes dart around rapidly, an internal conflict evident.

"I just- I just do, okay? Those people were elderly. They could have just retired. Possibly celebrating their anniversary for all we know. Whatever the case, I'm sure they didn't want to die. You don't go on vacation expecting to be slaughtered. It's not right, it just isn't Halifax."

"Life isn't -"

"Fair. I know that bullshit cliché." She turned away to look at the passing vehicles. Milo's gut boiled. He knew she was leaving something out but decided not to pry further. A peaceful silence settled in the truck.

"Ya know, with the amount you smoke you'll be dead soon. Ten years tops."

...And there it went. Milo grunted before shifting the truck into drive.