Miss Frost Solves A Cold Case

by Kristen Painter

  His gaze lingered on my mouth for a long moment, sending hot little sparks of anticipation through me. “Have fun.”

  “Thanks. See you…later.” I grabbed Juniper’s arm and got us moving. It was that or conjure up my own personal snowstorm to put out the fire in my pants.

  Five steps in and she found her voice again. “You know Greyson Garrett?”

  “Sort of. I mean, I know him well enough that we’ve shopped for cat litter together.” Maybe not one of the finer points in my history of male-female relations, but there it was.

  “Then you know he’s a”—she lowered her voice—“vampire.”

  “Yep. I know.” Boy, did I. You didn’t forget jumping two stories with someone. “Is that not cool for some reason? Aren’t we equal opportunity daters?”

  “You’re dating him?” Her eyes widened again, and her voice went a little screechy. “What about Cooper?”

  “Cooper doesn’t want a relationship.” And neither did I. Not with him, of all people. “And who says I can’t keep my options open? Guys date around all the time.”

  That seemed to calm her down. She nodded. “That is true. But Greyson.”

  “What’s so wrong with Greyson?”

  She got a curious look on her face. Sort of like someone had just handed her a sex toy and asked her to explain how it was used. “He’s…so…sexy. And he’s a vampire. They’re like wild things. Feral.”

  “Have you had this talk with Buttercup about the werewolves? Because she seems to be a pretty big fan of men with lycan tendencies. And I don’t think you get much wilder than a guy who can turn into a wolf whenever he wants. Just saying.”

  Juniper let out a huge sigh and rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’ve talked to her about that. You two are so alike.”

  I took that as a compliment. Buttercup was pretty rockin’.

  Juniper shook her head. “Doesn’t he scare you?”

  I lifted one shoulder in a non-committal shrug. “A little. I think that’s part of the appeal.”

  “Huh, yeah, bad boys.” She crossed her hands through the air like she was cutting that thought off at the root. “Not me. I like nice guys with good jobs who aren’t ever going to accidentally bite me.”

  “Like Cooper.”

  She frowned. “Like Pete.”

  “Right. Like Pete.” Because Cooper might bite me when he found out who I really was.

  We managed to get to the firehouse about ten minutes early, but it was still pretty busy. Juniper decided to stand outside and wait for Pete, which left me on my own to venture in and look for Cooper.

  Volunteers from the school were in last-minute mode, rushing around the rows of tables that had been set up in the big space. I found Cooper hauling in a rolling cart of chairs.

  He greeted me with a smile. “You made it.”

  “No way I was going to miss a chance to slide down your pole.” Wait. What had I just said? Heat flared through my cheeks. I looked around to see if there was a sudden sinkhole I could jump into. “I, uh, I mean, the firehouse’s pole.”

  Cooper laughed. “I knew what you meant.” But he was still smiling more than necessary. He parked the cart and gestured toward the back of the station. “This way.”

  “I’ll follow you.” That way I wouldn’t have to look at him. Of course, my gaze became oddly fixated on his butt. Fireman uniforms were well cut, that’s all I’m saying.

  We went up a flight of stairs in the back of the station and came out in a large room set up dormitory-style with three sets of oversized bunk beds. The back wall was a row of tall single lockers, each with names on them. Across from the bunks was a lounge area with a big wraparound sectional couch, a couple of recliners and a massive flat-screen TV. Man cave central.

  And there in the corner, with a semi-circle of railing around it, was a bright, shiny brass pole.

  He spread his arms out. “Welcome to our home away from home. This is where we live when we’re on shift. The kitchen and dining hall are downstairs, but trust me, you don’t want a tour of them right now. Not with the PTA volunteers in there about to serve spaghetti to three hundred people.”

  “I don’t want to be in the way. Or get covered with sauce.” I lifted my brows and tipped my chin toward the pole. “Where does that end up?”

  “Other side of the dining hall in the ready room. That way, if there’s a call, we slide down and are instantly at our gear, ready to suit up and head out.”

  “Cool.”

  “So…” He grinned. “Ready to do it?”

  I wasn’t so sure now. “Is there any trick to it?”

  “Sure, watch. I’ll show you.” He went over and grabbed the pole with both hands, then wrapped his legs around it. He clung there. “See what I’m doing with my legs? How they’re bent around the pole? That’s how you control your descent.”

  I nodded. “I can do that.”

  “Good. Then put the pole in the crook of your dominant arm and keep it close to your body. Use your non-dominant hand higher up to steady yourself. Release your feet a little and down you go.”

  “Okay.” But I didn’t get any nearer.

  He squinted at me. “You’re sure you can do this?”

  I made my feet take me close enough to lean over and look down past him. The next floor seemed about a hundred feet away. Why had I thought this was a good idea? “Yeah. I think so.”

  “Don’t chicken out on me.”

  I just stared at him. I could do this. Couldn’t I? What were the chances of dying? Or breaking something?

  “You’re chickening out on me.”

  I straightened, trying to find my inner warrior or whatever. “No, I’m not.” I was not going to look like a scaredy cat in front of Cooper Sullivan. “You’re just clogging up the pole.”

  “See you at the bottom.” He took his hand off the pole, gave me a little salute and slid down.

  Fast.

  The knot in my throat was competing with the ice in my stomach to see which one could make me pass out first. No, no, no. I could do this. It was just like jumping off the fire escape with Greyson, except a little less scary because I knew what was coming next.

  Frankly, I’d preferred the not knowing with Greyson.

  I reached out and grabbed the pole. Wow, that was a long way away.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll catch you,” Cooper shouted up from below.

  He stood right next to the pole. That was kind of reassuring. If I fell, I’d land on his dumb head. That would serve him right for ditching me all those years ago.

  Anger was a good motivator.

  I jumped onto the pole, instantly regretting it. I couldn’t even suck in a breath to scream. Then Cooper’s arms were around me and I was on the ground. I thought about kissing the floor, but that might cost me some cool points.

  “You actually did it!”

  “Of course I did. What did you think? I was going to back out?” I feigned as much nonchalance as I could muster. Which was way more than I was feeling.

  “A lot of people can’t do it. Fear of heights and all that.”

  “Yeah, well, not me.” Granted, I was shaking, but let’s call that adrenaline. He was still holding on to me. Normally, I’d be unhappy about that, but I’d let it go another couple of seconds, considering the circumstances.

  “Well, I’m impressed.”

  “Thanks.” We were all alone in the ready room. Just us and rows and rows of firefighting gear.

  He leaned in like he was going to kiss me.

  I pulled out of his arms. “I should go find Juniper. I’m sure she’s looking for me.”

  His eyes still held intent. “She’s a grown woman. She’ll manage.”

  I put my hand on his chest. “Cooper, you told me you weren’t interested in a relationship.”

  He looped a strand of my hair around one finger and gave it a tug. “Maybe I changed my mind. Maybe you changed my mind.”

  Yeah, and his mind would change again when he found out who I was.
>
  A couple of firefighters walked through, giving him the eye like they knew what he was up to. That was the break I needed. “I’m going out to find Juniper and get a seat. Are you coming or not?”

  He nodded, looking less than happy. But that couldn’t be helped. I really didn’t want to lead him on and make things worse in the end.

  He sighed. “I’m coming. I already have seats reserved for us.”

  “That was nice of you.” It really was. But then Cooper had always been that way. Up until he decided we couldn’t be a couple anymore.

  “We’ll have to add one for Juni’s date. Who is he?” Cooper held the door back into the main hall. The noise level had kicked up a notch since I’d first gotten there.

  “Pete Cathaway. He’s a pharmacist. You know him?”

  “No, but I’ve heard her mention him.” He scanned the crowd. “I see her. She’s in front of the second table of raffle baskets. You want to get her and I’ll see about adding a place for Pete? We’re at the back table, right hand corner.”

  “Got it. See you in a minute.”

  We parted, and I made my way through the crowd, waving at Juniper to get her attention. She waved back and subtly pointed at the guy beside her. He was very handsome in a sort of academic way, something that was only reinforced by the tan chinos, plaid shirt and suit vest he wore. If he and Juniper ever really became a thing, he’d probably write sonnets about her. I liked him already.

  She grabbed my hand as I reached them. “There you are.”

  “I went down the fire pole.”

  “You did not.”

  “I did. Scared the pants off me.”

  She laughed. “I bet Cooper liked that.”

  “Yeah.” I laughed too. “So this is Pete?”

  She nodded a little nervously. “Pete, this is my friend Lilibeth I was telling you about.”

  He nodded in greeting and shook my hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You too.” He really did have gorgeous eyes. “Cooper’s got seats for us. Follow me.” By the time we made it there, dinner was being served.

  We sat down and ate. Between the spaghetti and the noise, there wasn’t a lot of chit-chat going on, and when there was, most of it was between Pete and Cooper, who’d discovered they both liked trout fishing.

  Good for them.

  Juniper and I finished eating, then left the boys at the table to get some raffle tickets. I was happy to see they took credit cards so I made a significant purchase. I’d have to remember to tell my dad it was a tax deduction.

  Juniper and I stood in front of the table trying to decide which baskets we wanted the most.

  I pointed my tickets at the enormous ivory and gold wrapped one. “I think the spa package.”

  “Hmm. That would be fun. And it’s for two.” She glanced it me. “We could put the same number of tickets in and if one of us wins it, we promise to take the other person.”

  “I’m game. How many tickets?”

  “Ten.” She’d bought twenty.

  “I’m in.” I’d bought—or rather, my father had bought a hundred. I stuck more than half of mine in and didn’t say anything. A day at the spa with Juniper would be the most fun ever. I really hoped we won.

  We stuck the rest of our tickets here and there, including in baskets giving away four weeks of ballroom dancing lessons, a collection of twenty signed romance novels (reading is huge in the NP) and a custom cake from Delaney’s Delectables. I figured if I won that, I’d bring it into work and get my fellow employees sugared up for a day.

  Juniper nudged me. “What do you think of Pete?”

  “He’s handsome and smart and I think you guys are perfect together.”

  She beamed. “Thanks. I really like him.”

  We went back to the baskets for a minute until she grabbed my arm. “I think Cooper’s looking for you. I better get back to Pete.”

  “Okay.” Cooper was headed in my direction. Maybe now was a good time to see if he could introduce me to the sheriff. If the sheriff was here. I put on a bright smile.

  “Having fun?” he asked.

  “You know what? I am. A lot of fun. Juniper and I are winning all of this stuff, by the way.”

  “You are, huh? Even that evil-eye quilt?”

  “Um, no. I didn’t spend any tickets on that.” I grimaced at the quilt hanging from the firehouse wall. It was literally a giant blue eyeball on a field of rainbow squares. “I couldn’t sleep with that thing in my house.”

  He laughed. “It’s supposed to ward off evil.”

  I took the opening. “I’ll let the sheriff do that. Speaking of, did you ask him about the missing employees?”

  “No, I haven’t had the chance. Haven’t seen him.”

  “Did he come tonight? You said he and your chief are related, right?”

  “Yep. Brothers.”

  “Protecting the town is the family business, huh? Are they vampires too?”

  “Nope.” He leaned in. “Werewolves. Their sister, Bridget, owns Howler’s.”

  “Get out. Really? I guess that makes sense since you said Ivy was a werewolf too.” I looked around for guys who resembled the pretty bartender. “Are they here?”

  Cooper nodded. “You want to meet them?”

  Did reindeer love carrots? Um, yes. But I played it cool. Not at all like I was going to ply them for information as soon as possible. “Sure.”

  As dessert was being served (standard-issue vanilla sheet cake with chocolate frosting), Cooper led me to a pair of tall, rugged, uniformed men who looked like they’d be very at home in the woods. Outdoorsy types. Which made sense, seeing as how they were werewolves and whatnot.

  “Sheriff Merrow, Chief, this is my friend Lilibeth. She’s new in town and wanted to make sure it was safe here.”

  The pair grunted in unison. I took that to be a yes. Or a hello. Hard to tell, as I didn’t speak werewolf. “I’m the newest employee at the toy store. Santa’s Workshop. You know it?”

  The sheriff nodded. “Got my son, Charlie, a remote-control helicopter in there for Christmas. Good stuff. Nice to meet you.”

  “And welcome to town,” the fire chief added.

  “Thanks.” I shifted my gaze back to the sheriff. “Apparently, there’s been a rash of employees quitting at the shop. Just sort of disappearing. You haven’t heard anything about that, have you? No unclaimed John Does turning up or a sudden rash of missing-persons reports?”

  The sheriff frowned. Then barked out a laugh. “No, ma’am, nothing like that, I promise. But if anything untoward happens over there at the toy shop, you let me know.”

  He handed me his card.

  I took it. “I will, thank you.” So much for that.

  Cooper shook their hands, then ushered me back to our seats for dessert. “You really think there’s something that bad going on at the shop?”

  “I don’t know. But I can’t help but be concerned.” We sat. I turned to face him. “What I told you over lunch is true. In nearly three years, six employees have left. Not quit and returned home to the North Pole. They each wrote a note and disappeared. You don’t think that’s strange?”

  He thought for a moment. “That’s definitely weird.” His eyes narrowed. “Do you think you could be in some kind of danger? Because I’ll go back and get the sheriff right now, and we’ll—”

  Touched by his concern, I put my hand on his arm. “No. I don’t think I’m in any danger. But I can’t help but wonder what’s going on.”

  He nodded. “I’d hate for something to happen to you.”

  I smiled. He was sweet. And gorgeous. And built. I took a long drink of my water, which was already iced saving me the trouble of working my magic. “Thank you.” Maybe his concern was my chance. “You’re a town employee, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Have you ever used that special elevator in the vestibule?”

  “Sure.”

  I almost fell off my seat. “You have? To do what?”

&nb
sp; His mouth curved in a reluctant smile. “I can’t talk about it. That’s a restricted area.”

  Hello, brick wall, we meet again.

  I sighed and stuffed a forkful of cake into my mouth in an attempt to make myself feel better. It worked a little.

  He laughed. “Lilibeth, I really can’t talk about it. I signed a confidentiality agreement.”

  I’d heard that before. I smiled weakly. “Don’t give it another thought.”

  His expression turned serious. “You think whatever’s going on with the employees has something to do with that elevator? Because I’d doubt that very much.”

  “No. I don’t know. I just think anything’s a possibility.” I didn’t really think the elevator was tied in. How could it be?

  “You know only town employees can access it.”

  “I’ve heard.”

  He leaned back and tapped the badge hanging off his utility belt. “You can’t even call the thing without swiping an official town keycard programed with the right permissions. No one at the shop would have one unless they also worked for the town. Did any of the employees that quit work more than one job?”

  I gave the card a quick glance. It displayed his picture, his name, a town seal and a wide black stripe like a credit card. “Not that I’m aware of.” But I’d be checking the files again when I got home tonight, that was for sure.

  The overwhelming sense of disappointment I’d had last night returned. I stuck my fork into my cake and stared blindly into the crowd. I needed to talk to my dad, maybe see if just going over everything we knew would help me make sense of something.

  My eyes focused on someone in the crowd. I nudged Cooper and pointed with my cake-encrusted fork. “There’s that woman from the park.”

  “Who?”

  I got Juniper’s attention. I still hadn’t figured out where I knew the woman from, but it was bugging me like a loose tooth I couldn’t keep my tongue off of. “Hey, see that woman in the jeans and the pink sweater? Short blond hair? Is she a regular customer?”

  Juniper swiveled in her seat. She shook her head. “Not that I recall.”

  I started to get up and go after the woman, but she disappeared in the crowd that was headed out. I exhaled a frustrated breath as I sat down. I didn’t even feel like finishing my cake. I was ready to go home. But for Juniper’s sake, I put on a happy face.