Sudden Second Chance Read Online Free Page A

wasting his time on a cold case, although she already knew the reason.
    Beth hugged the bag to her chest. “Thanks...?”
    “Linda. Linda Gundersen.”
    “You seemed knowledgeable about the stuffed frog. Were you living here when the three children were kidnapped?”
    “No. My sister and I took over this shop when we both retired from teaching in Seattle. She’d dated a man from this area for a while, liked it, and suggested it as a place for us to retire.” Crossing her arms, she hunched on the counter. “That was fourteen years ago when property was cheap. Turns out it was a good move because things started booming when Evergreen set up shop here.”
    Beth dug a card out of her purse and slid it across the glass toward Linda. “If you know anyone who’d like to talk to me about the case, have them give me a call.”
    “I will. My sister, Louise, would love to be on the show.”
    “Does she know anything about the case?”
    “No, but she hired Wyatt Carson to do some plumbing on our house.” Linda’s voice had risen on a note of hope.
    “I’ll see if my investigation on the story takes me in that direction. Thanks again.”
    “Enjoy your frog.”
    Beth turned at the door and waved, stepping into the crisp night air. Darkness had descended while she’d been in the tourist shop, and her rumbling stomach reminded her that she’d skipped lunch.
    Her hotel didn’t have a restaurant on the premises and the yellow light spilling out of Sutter’s across the street beckoned.
    She had no problem eating alone—her job necessitated it half the time she was on the road, and her nonexistent social life dictated it when she was at home.
    The plastic bag in her hands crinkled and she decided to make a detour to her car. If she had a bigger purse she’d stuff her frog in there, but her cross-strap bag had no room for her new furry friend and she didn’t want to haul the frog into the restaurant. That part of this story she wanted to keep under wraps until she had more proof.
    How many adults looking for answers had made the pilgrimage to Timberline, believing they were Stevie, Kayla or Heather? But she had a strong feeling she’d been here before.
    She withdrew the frog from the bag and kissed him before stuffing him back in the bag and dropping it on the passenger seat. She’d kissed plenty of frogs in her day, but this one really was going to make all her dreams come true.
    She locked up the car and strode back to the restaurant. It had just opened for dinner and a sea of empty tables greeted her—no excuse for the hostess to stick the single diner by the kitchen or the restrooms. She nabbed a prime spot next to the window, ordered a glass of wine and started checking the email on her phone.
    Every time Beth looked up from her phone, more and more people filled the room, and she began to notice a few furtive glances coming her way. Linda had been right. News in a small town traveled fast.
    If the locals showed an interest in the story, it would make for some good TV. She and her crew never went into these situations with the goal of actually solving the mystery, although a few times they’d gotten lucky. She’d gotten lucky when Duke had shown up during her story two years ago—lucky in more ways than one.
    That Cold Case Chronicles ’ investigation had led to the arrest of a child killer who’d been living his life in plain sight of the grieving families. It had been one of her finest hours...and had cost her a budding relationship with Duke.
    When the waitress brought her a steaming bowl of soup, Beth looked up just in time to see Duke walk into the restaurant.
    She ducked her head behind the waitress and peered around her arm.
    The waitress raised her eyebrows. “Everything okay?”
    “Just thought I saw someone I knew.”
    “In Timberline, that’s not hard to do even if you are from Hollywood.”
    “LA.”
    “You are that host from Cold Case Chronicles , aren’t you?” The waitress had wedged a