The Sea King's Lady

Chapter 1-2

Twilight was beginning to settle by the time Jenny drove back into town. It turned out to be another fruitless one with no new leads. She had one more stop before she’d call it a day.

Slowing down as she entered town, she glanced around for a parking space. Now that summer was starting and people were taking off for their vacation, there were quite a few tourists in town. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw two open parking spots in front of the local police station.

Turning on her blinker, she waited for several cars to pass before pulling into one of the empty spots. A quick glance at the clock told her it was later than she’d thought. She shifted the gearshift to park and turned off the engine. Staring straight ahead, she could see a woman behind the desk. It looked like she was getting ready to leave.

Jenny didn’t waste any time undoing her seatbelt and pushing open the car door. She hoped that the new detective she had been talking to for the past couple of months was on duty. She didn’t see him through the window, but there was a light shining from an office down the hall. Slamming the car door, she locked it, and strode across the sidewalk. She pushed open the door just as the woman behind the desk slid the strap of her purse onto her shoulder.

“Can I help you?” the woman asked, looking up at Jenny as she entered.

Jenny smiled, remembering the woman from the last time she was here. She hoped Patty would remember her as well. It took a moment before recognition hit. Patty threw a quick glance over her shoulder.

“Mike, the lady about the missing person is back,” Patty called out, walking around the desk. “He’ll be with you in a moment. He is on the phone.”

“Thank you,” Jenny said with an appreciative smile before she stepped to the side.

“No problem. I have to pick up my son. Have a good night,” Patty said with an easy smile before pulling open the door and stepping outside.

Jenny could hear the sound of a man’s voice speaking quietly in the background. She turned and walked over to stand near the front window and stare blindly out at the street. She didn’t want to give the impression she was eavesdropping on his conversation. Lost in thought, she didn’t realize he was finished until he spoke behind her.

“Good afternoon, Miss Ackerly,” Mike Hallbrook’s rich, smooth voice greeted.

Jenny turned to face the tall, handsome man who looked to be in his early thirties. Mike Hallbrook had one of those quiet, calm demeanors that drew you in and gave you a sense of security. The undeniable authority in his posture told her that while he may appear relaxed, he was always on alert.

She reached up to tuck a stray hair behind her ear and nibbled her lip in indecision. She felt slightly guilty for stopping by when it was so late. In a small town like Yachats, there wasn’t a huge need to have someone with Mike’s expertise on duty after hours unless there was a major crime. Still, she had to ask.

Jenny gave Mike a tired, apologetic smile. After ten hours of hiking and searching every nook and cranny along the trail, she was exhausted and disheveled. She was just thankful he didn’t appear to care that she was here so late.

“Hello, Detective Hallbrook. Thank you for seeing me,” she responded.

Mike Hallbrook nodded his head. “Anytime. What can I do for you?” he asked.

Jenny could feel his scrutiny. She could just imagine what he was seeing—damp and wrinkled clothing, dark circles under her eyes, windswept hair, and red cheeks. She looked like something that had washed up on the shore. With a weary smile, she drew in a tired breath before she released it.

“I was checking to see if there were any updates on Carly Tate’s missing person’s case,” she said.

“Nothing since the last time you came in three months ago,” Mike responded in a compassionate tone.

“Oh… The… The case hasn’t been closed, has it?” she asked.