Canyons of Night by Jayne Castle Page B

“We could never understand how she made any money, but she always had the cash to buy antiques for the shop.”
    “Guess she made enough on the few pieces that she did sell to keep going.”
    Myrna shook her head. “The woman was obsessed, that’s for sure.”
    Devin spoke up. “I’m gonna go to the grocery store and get a soda and then maybe see if Nate is hanging out at the marina. We’ve gotta make some plans for our hike to Hidden Beach.”
    Slade looked at him. “Later.”
    Devin took his sunglasses out of his pocket and set them on his nose with a practiced movement.
    “Later,” he said. He headed for the door.
    “Be home by six for dinner,” Myrna called after him.
    “Sure,” Devin said over his shoulder.
    In the next moment he was gone with a lightningquick speed that any hunter-talent would envy. Nobody could move faster than a teenage boy on his way to hang out with a buddy. The door closed behind him.
    Myrna exhaled slowly. “I suppose you noticed the sunglasses?”
    “I noticed,” Slade said.
    “Same brand you wear. He found them online. He even puts them on and takes them off the way you do. With both hands, not one.”
    “I do it that way because they last longer. Less wear and tear on the itty bitty hinges.”
    “Nice to know there’s sound engineering logic behind your method, but I don’t think that’s the reason Devin is imitating you,” Myrna said.
    “He thinks I’m making a fashion statement?”
    “No. He thinks you look stone cold when you take the glasses on and off. Very ice-rez, as the kids say.”
    “I’m telling you, it’s all about saving the hinges.” He hefted the package in his hand. “Anything I need to know before I go put this fish in the refrigerator?”
    “All is calm on the streets of the Big City.” Myrna studied the packet of fish. “Looks like a lot of fish for one person and a dust bunny.”
    “Rex is a hearty eater. But before you hear it on the street, I’ve got a dinner guest tonight.”
    Myrna’s expression brightened. “Charlotte Enright?”
    “Amazing detective work. No wonder you’re in law enforcement.”
    Myrna ignored that. “About time, if you don’t mind my saying so. First date you’ve had since you arrived.”
    “Give me a break. I’ve only been in town less than a week.” He started down the hall toward the break room.
    “I’ve got a terrific recipe for tartar sauce,” Myrna called after him. “I’ll write it down for you.”

Chapter 3
     

     
    DEVIN STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE ENTRANCE TO LOOKing Glass Antiques and peered through the window. He could see Charlotte Enright moving about inside the shop. She was dressed in black jeans and a black, short-sleeved T-shirt. She had a little blue triangle-shaped scarf tied around her hair. She was unpacking a crate.
    She was busy. He could come back later.
    He started to move on but for some reason he could not. Sure, he had to apologize, but Nate was waiting down at the marina. They had plans to make for the hike out to Hidden Beach. He could always apologize later. Like maybe right around five thirty when Charlotte was closing up for the day. She would be in a hurry to go home and he would be able to get the whole thing over with fast.
    Or he could get it done now. He thought about how the chief would handle things and groaned. The chief would take care of it now.
    Reluctantly he opened the door of the shop and moved inside. The old-fashioned bell chimed overhead. The subtle vibes hit him. It was as if he’d run through an invisible waterfall. The interior of the antiques shop did not exactly get brighter but it seemed to him that it was lit by something more than just normal light and shadow. He could see strange colors but he had no names for them.
    He stopped, distracted by the intriguing sensations. It was so ice-rez, this feeling. Scary, sometimes, but incredibly ice-rez. Reluctantly he withdrew into himself. The unnatural colors and lighting in the atmosphere faded back