Mystery Noir

Mawaska Part 12

I did go to breakfast.

And though the entire town didn't come out and give me a parade of hugs or the key to the city or anything like that, they were more at ease. The conversations were normal, and I noticed even Ver seemed to smile as he sipped his coffee and conversed with Enzo or random people walking back and forth.

I met Elaine, who along with Samantha and Kayla, implored me to go to the dance that night. They weren't frivolous, giggling girls wanting to gossip at the next social gathering. Elaine was what constituted as the mayor, Samantha had taken up her training as an EMT and joined the fire department and Kayla was studying law through distance studies. Like Mika, she would have to find a way to get the official certification through non-standard means, but she intended to finish her journey through law school. Strong, caring women who were carving out important places in the world they found themselves in.

Half decided, because I didn't have plans anyways, I was walking down the street toward the hotel when I found Ver walking beside me, Enzo nowhere in sight.

When he noticed me looking for the other man, he shot me a grin. "We are pretty inseparable, but we do go places without one another. When it is safe to do so."

I wasn't sure whether to be flattered at the thought that perhaps I may have been considered enough of a threat that the two of them didn't like approaching me alone. Or offended.

So, I smirked and shrugged. "How can I help you, Sheriff."

"Though I wouldn't say that it was technically in the defense of two of our citizens that you lost your bike, I do know that it was correlated with the fact." He held up a pair of car keys, and I frowned upon seeing a tell-tale horse running on one side of them.

"So, you are trying to get me the hell outta dodge." I watched the keys for a moment, shoving my hands in my pocket and looking down the street. "I don't need..."

"It's not fucking charity." Ver's words were an amused chuckle, as he offered the keys toward me. "No, I'm not a member, let alone the president of the kick Nina out of Mawaska fan club, not even close. But if you can't leave, is it even a choice to stay?"

I let out a slow breath. "I'm not going to settle down here and open up a book shop."

Ver gave me a lopsided grin that was similar enough to Enzo, yet tinged with a fair bit of dark humour, that my heart stuttered for a moment. "Nah. I know. But we could use your help too, and I think Mawaska could help you. Give you a place to retreat to when you need. A generalized mission. A home, no matter how far your roam or how long you're gone."

"Help, I can do." I nodded. I could deal with being of some use, putting my training and job to some service other than money or hunting down the tragic endings to horror stories.

We were silent for a long while, just walking side by side until we turned the last corner onto the street that led to the hotel. Even from a distance, I saw the green convertible Mustang sitting in the front parking lot, white rag top up.

"GT S, in Maverick Spring Anti-establish mint." Ver grinned to me, raising a curious brow.

"He's a beauty." I laughed softly and shot him a hard look. "And way too expensive to replace my Scout."

Ver shrugged and finally managed to shove the keys into my hand. "Well, then you have a lot of work you owe the town, including regular check ins so we know you're not dead and at least quarterly visits. And a dance tonight. Maybe the town fair this weekend. Cut a bunch off your sentence if you stayed for that."

I couldn't help but grin. "Careful Ver, or I'd think you actually cared about me."

I pretended not to notice the odd look, slightly pained with a hint of desperation, that crossed his features, unsure what it meant and unwilling to find out.

Instead, I walked toward the mustang, yelling over my shoulder. "C'mon, let's go for a rip, I know the Sheriff, and I think he's off duty today anyways!"

His only answer was a chuckle, as he followed me. By the time he climbed into the passenger seat, he was back to his normal, scowling self.