about you?”
“Nothing for me, thanks.”
Break time wasn’t on her mind at the moment. She still hadn’t shaken the feeling she’d had when she spotted that fishing skiff offshore. Then there was Brock Gentry. When she added a murder and a shooter to the mix, it was no wonder it was all running together in her head.
Calvin winked at Lisa and glanced around at Doug, who’d stood beside his desk across the room ever since Kate entered. “Ready to go, partner?”
Doug didn’t answer. He picked up his hat and moved toward the front door. He didn’t look at Kate or Lisa as he followed Calvin outside.
Lisa didn’t glance at Doug as he walked by. Instead she directed her attention to her computer screen and bit her lip as if she was lost in another world.
Kate’s heart pricked at the look on Lisa’s face. Once she had been in love, too, but nothing good had come of that. She hoped Lisa would fare better than she had.
Kate walked into her office, dropped her sun visor on her desk and entered her private bathroom. She closed the door behind her, placed her hands on the small sink and peered into the mirror. Her tanned face stared back at her. She pressed her fingers to her cheeks and brushed the skin that was no longer as soft as it had been six years ago. Tiny creases at the corners of her tired eyes would be wrinkles before long. It was easy to see how the responsibilities and disappointments in life had taken a toll on her.
She wondered what Brock had thought when he saw her on the beach. What did she care what he thought? He meant nothing to her anymore, and she was sure he felt the same way.
Kate sighed and shook her head. With one last glance in the mirror, she pulled the door open and stepped into her office. She frowned at the sound of Calvin’s voice and moved into the outer office. He stood at Lisa’s desk.
“I thought you’d left.”
Calvin’s white teeth flashed behind his smile. “I forgot to ask Lisa if she wanted a blueberry or a banana muffin. But I’m leaving now.”
Kate tried to suppress a grin. “It’s nice to know you aim to please.”
Calvin’s face flushed, and he headed toward the door. He pulled it open and backed through it, but he stopped and turned to the person he’d bumped into. “Oh, sorry, sir. I didn’t see you there. Come on in. Can we help you?”
He stepped aside, and Kate’s heart plummeted to her stomach at the sight of Brock Gentry walking in the door. Brock smiled and stepped around Calvin. “Thanks.” He glanced at Kate. “I need to see Deputy Michaels.”
“She’s right there.” Calvin pointed to Kate, then waved to Lisa. “Be back in a minute with some muffins.”
Kate stood frozen in place as Brock walked toward her.
“Are you Mr. Gentry?” Lisa asked.
“Yes.”
Lisa glanced at Kate. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you Mr. Gentry called a few minutes ago and asked if you were in.”
He approached and stopped in front of her. “I hope this isn’t a bad time, but I need to talk with you. Can you please spare me a few minutes?”
The soft-spoken words sent a warning through her. There was something different about Brock Gentry, and she searched his face for the answer. The self-confident swagger and the slightly arrogant attitude that had always been evident in his manner were gone. The old Brock would never have asked her permission for anything. He would have marched into her office and informed her he was there to speak with her. His blue eyes studied her for a reaction, and she wondered if he thought she might refuse to see him.
The smile he directed at her appeared sincere. If she were meeting him for the first time, she could imagine liking the man who stood before her.
She glanced at Lisa. “It’s okay, Lisa. I know Mr. Gentry.” She looked back at him and nodded toward her office. “Come on in.”
Kate walked to her office, stepped inside and held the door for him to enter. She pointed to a chair in front of her desk.