Chapter 4
504words
"Don't you think Sheriff Shaw is a bit odd?" Maggie, the coffee shop owner, asked as she added extra cinnamon to my cup. "I mean, he's hot, but mysterious-hot, you know?"
"No, I have no idea what you mean," I lied, sipping my latte. "He seems perfectly normal to me."
"Oh, please," Maggie rolled her eyes. "He disappears for a few days every month. The whole town has a betting pool: A, he has a secret family; B, he's undercover; or C, he's a superhero. I'm betting on C—there's definitely a six-pack under that uniform."
I nearly choked on my coffee. "He's 'disappeared' now?"
"Since yesterday," she nodded. "Right on the full moon. Always like clockwork."
I made a note in my notebook, glancing at the nearly-full moon outside. Last night Kieran had warned me about tonight's full moon, then disappeared. Since our kiss at the station, he had vanished like smoke.
As I paid for my coffee, the door chimed. Paul, one of the deputies I'd met during the flood, entered looking tense. He spotted me and seemed startled.
"Ms. Thorne," he nodded stiffly. "Settling back in town?"
"Trying to," I smiled. "Have you seen the sheriff today? We had some... unfinished business."
Something flickered in his eyes—concern? Fear? "No. He takes personal days sometimes. Health issues."
"So I've heard," I replied, watching him check his phone nervously. "Well, if you see him, tell him I'm looking for him."
"Sure," he said, too quickly. "Though maybe it's best to leave him be. Some people need their space."
As he ordered his coffee, I noticed him sending a text message, angling the phone away from my view.
"Thanks for the coffee," I told Maggie, leaving a tip. "By the way, do you know where Kieran lives?"
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Kieran's cabin looked like it stepped out of a fairy tale—blue exterior, stone chimney, surrounded by tall pines. But the windows were shuttered, the porch empty, no signs of life.
I knocked. No answer.
"Looking for someone?"
I turned to see a young woman on the path, carrying grocery bags, eyeing me warily. She had the same black hair and high cheekbones as Kieran, but with green eyes.
"I'm looking for Kieran," I said. "I'm Elowen Thorne, we're... old friends."
"I know who you are," she said, her tone unfriendly. "I'm Sophie, Kieran's sister. He's not home."
"When will he be back?"
"A few days," she answered curtly. "He has... health issues. Regular treatments."
Health issues. Every full moon. How convenient.
"I hope he's alright," I feigned concern. "Could you tell him I stopped by? About our book project."
Her eyes narrowed. "Book project?"
"Yes, about town history." I smiled. "Especially those 'animal attack' cases."
Sophie's expression turned icy. "You should leave, Miss Thorne. My brother won't help you write that book."
"Why not?"
"Because some stories shouldn't be told," she said, her voice low. "Some secrets get people killed."
She brushed past me, entered the cabin, and slammed the door.
Such a warm welcome.
