Page 43 of Haunted By Sin

Andrea broke eye contact as she leaned down to pick up her cell phone from the coffee table. Sylvie was certain that Mitch would know to expect her within the next thirty minutes.

“I think I’ve already said enough,” Andrea said as she began to close the distance between them. “You should leave now.”

Sylvie gave a curt nod before pushing open the screen door and exiting the house. She had Theo on the line before ever reaching the driver’s side door of the SUV.

“Can you wrap things up at the hospital?”

“Yes,” Theo responded over low murmurs of conversations in the background. “I take it you found Mitch Swilling’s location?”

“Even better,” Sylvie stated as she settled in behind the steering wheel. She had already checked her surroundings upon walking down the short driveway, but she gave the area additional scrutiny before starting the engine. “We have two new suspects to add to our suspect list.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Brooklyn Sloane

May 2024

Monday — 1:03 pm

Brook's shadow stretched long and thin across the wooden planks of the pier as she made her way towards the Crestlake Bar & Grill. The breeze was tinged with the scent of salt and fried food, and a partly cloudy sky loomed overhead, casting a subdued light on the early afternoon.

She wasn't just there to pick up lunch.

That was merely a pretext.

Her true motive was ensuring that Cav had taken her advice and left town. She had made the assumption—a correct one from his reaction the other night— that he had used Mindy to get closer to her. Brook couldn’t in good conscience walk away without confirmation that Cav wouldn’t transfer his sights to Mindy given her readiness to spend an evening with him.

Brook approached the bar, noting the lunch hour was still in full swing. Most of the tables were occupied, their laughter and conversation carrying through the air. It was easy to spot those who were taking a lunch break versus those who were enjoying a day off or on vacation. Clothes revealed a lot about a person. Those from the anchored boats alongside the pier were in swim trunks, swimsuits, or casual wear.

There were dirty plates and half-empty glasses on a few abandoned tables indicating the pace of the bar and grill during the past hour. Brook caught sight of a server near the far end of the pier. Unfortunately, the person wasn’t who Brook wanted to speak with this afternoon.

Brook approached the bar, not bothering to walk toward the other end where the pick-up window was located for take-out orders. The bartender was methodically cataloging bottles and glasses behind the counter. He caught sight of her and flashed a smile.

“Is Mindy around?”

“Yeah, she's here," Chip replied as he set a clipboard on the counter. "She’s covering for Jason again, so I can grab your takeout order.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it," Brook said, her gaze drifting over to the side of the bar. The access to the kitchen was around the corner, but Mindy wasn’t anywhere in sight. "If possible, I would appreciate it if you would let Mindy know that I’m here. I have something…personal…to discuss with her.”

Brook stared at Chip, not intending to give him an explanation.

“Sure thing,” Chip said as he began to stroll down to the other end of the bar. Brook followed his lead and came to stand in front of the pick-up counter as Chip stuck his head inside the kitchen. “Mindy! You have a visitor!”

Brook lifted her sunglasses until they pulled her hair back and were secured on top of her head. There was a warm breeze coming off the water, but she fortunately wasn’t facing the glare of the sun. Mindy finally emerged from the kitchen, a gray bucket tucked against her hip.

“Mindy, I was hoping to speak with you in private for a moment,” Brook said as she glanced toward Chip. He was gathering some plastic utensils and napkins to place into a white to-go bag that she assumed was her order. Bit had called in their lunch twenty minutes ago. “It’s about the other night.”

Mindy’s gaze darted toward Chip in curiosity, but she nodded her agreement. She gestured toward the side of the structure. Brook made her way around the corner and waited patiently for Mindy to exit the kitchen. She had ditched the grey bucket.

“I have to ask,” Mindy said hesitantly as she wrapped her arms around her abdomen. “Does Cav have something to do with your case? Is he…”

“No, no.” Brook immediately dispelled Mindy’s speculation. “Mr. Buckley has nothing to do with our investigation. I ran into him at an interview, and it came to my attention that a woman filed a restraining order against him five years ago.”

Brook wasn’t conveying any information that wasn’t public knowledge. She was comfortable with warning Mindy about a man who had repetitive tendencies of harassing women. The reports to HR at his firm and the restraining order spoke volumes. Still, Brook was mindful of what details she divulged to Mindy.

“I realized that you were enjoying a Saturday evening with Mr. Buckley, but I couldn’t in good conscience keep such information to myself.” Brook paused to let her words sink in. “It’s my hope that you stay clear of him, Mindy.”

“Well, Cav left the bar right after you did that night,” Mindy revealed as she relaxed her arms. She finally slipped her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “I guess I should be thanking you. I met him when he was here with his friends. They were on some fishing vacation. When he called and said that he wanted to take me out for drinks, I certainly wasn’t going to say no. Did you see his watch? That thing had to go for at least two grand.”