She watched him walk out, heart heavy and light at the same time.
I love him.
Coop studied the gruesome images on his computer screen, unable to focus. He muttered a curse, and swiveled his chair around toward the window.
Instead of the tall pecan tree on the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn, his mind’s eye saw cornflower blue eyes, full of life and laughter, a smile bright as the Texas sun, and lips that tasted of everything good in the world.
His thoughts drifted back to breakfast this morning, cooked for him by Sam. A no-frills plate of bacon, scrambled eggs and toast but the company, the atmosphere, was priceless. When Jason and Eva joined them, the comfortable familiarity resounded of family.
Prior to Sam’s arrival, he considered his life complete and happy. Mr.-I’m-not-in-to-permanent-relationships suddenly found himself wanting one. With her. The shock of discovery hit him full force and promptly scared the hell out of him.
He gave himself a mental shake and turned back to the computer. Eyes dry and tired, he blinked several times in quick succession in an effort to moisten them, to no avail. “Dammit.” He rummaged around his desk for eye drops.
“You look like death warmed over.” Billy Ray stood inside the door, arms folded across his chest.
Coop cast a quick glance at his friend. “I thought you were off today?”
“I am. Saw you come in earlier, and thought I’d check on you.” His rangy, wide-shouldered body moved with an easy grace as he entered the room. “Heard your girlfriend found another body.”
“Yeah.” He stood and walked toward the door. “Alice got any eye drops in her stash? She’s practically a walking pharmacy.”
“Probably. She prides herself on being prepared.” He chuckled as they headed down the hall. “I’ve seen her pull out a hammer and some duct tape before.” Billy opened the bottom drawer and pulled out what everyone termed the medicine bag. Finding what he sought, he passed the small bottle to Coop with a grin. “You know she’s picky about people messing with her drawers.”
Coop added drops in each eye. “Yeah, well, tell her I said it was okay.”
“So, you’re okay if I play with stuff in her drawers?”
He tossed the vial back to Billy. “Long as it doesn’t break any rules, Champ, you can play with whatever she’ll let you play with.”
Billy’s whiskey-colored eyes crinkled at the corners when he grinned, before he sobered. “Anything new on the last body?”
“Not yet. Probably won’t know anything until next week.”
“How about you go home and get some sleep? You know they’ll call if anything comes in.”
“I will. Have a few things to finish up.”
“Take care of yourself, Coop. I’m too old to train a new boss.”
The hum of the air conditioner coming on coincided with the opening of the lobby door as JD sauntered in. “Hey, Billy Ray. How’s it going?”
“Can’t complain. You?”
“Could be worse, I guess.”
Billy nodded toward Coop. “Make him go home. He’s toast. And you ain’t much better.” He turned and left, not waiting for them to reply.
Coop headed back to his office, the deputy at his side. “Sam will be here shortly to give her statement. Once you’re done, go ahead and take off.”
“I need to update the teletype first. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and get an ID soon.”
“Okay. Get her statement then go home.”
“What about you?”
He dropped into his chair and sighed. “I feel like I’ve missed something.” He shook his head as he shuffled the photos Sam took. “I have looked at these and the crime scene ones till I’m cross-eyed.”
JD nodded toward the photos. “You think something’s there?”
“I don’t know what I think anymore.”
A light tap on the door caused both men to shift their attention.
“Sheriff?” Arlis, the kid from Teddy’s stood there, a large envelope in his hand. “Teddy said for me to bring this by.” He shuffled forward, hand shaking slightly as he passed the envelope. “It’s the other DVDs from Sunday night. Said tell you they don’t show much other than the cash register and a small piece of the dance floor.”
“Thanks,” said Coop as he took the envelope.
“Yes sir. Um, you’re welcome, sir.” The red-faced young man turned and made a hasty exit.
Coop fed the first DVD into the computer and watched the grainy, black and white footage of the cash register area, which revealed nothing. The second one showed more of the bar and a small portion of the dance floor.
“Wait…is that Alice?”
Coop, surprised at JD’s question, paused it for a closer look.