Winter's Thaw (13 page)
Harlan’s arrest had come about after a simple visit for questioning by Sienna and her partner at his home the day before. Too many small arrests had been linked back to Harlan or his shop in various ways, so they’d decided to see if they could rattle him by a surprise visit at his home. He’d already appeared frightened and stressed when they’d arrived, and when they’d identified themselves, he’d broken down. They’d immediately taken him downtown to continue the interview at the station, and he’d been more than forthcoming…except in linking his small-potatoes distribution end of the operation with the manufacturer and ringleader.
Since then, they’d gotten a warrant to search his residence and phone records. Nothing had yet borne fruit in positively identifying who he was working for. But they’d come to the conclusion that, with all the time Harlan spent at the coffee shop, there had to be some contact there—some connection. They needed a person on the inside to find out what was happening in order to wrap this case up and guarantee a conviction and an end to the growing problem.
So the tats and piercings Sienna usually had to hide or downplay were suddenly an acceptable part of—and even an asset to—her character’s appearance. She could style her hair any way she wanted and wear her own wardrobe. And after her experience working as a barista in college, that didn’t need a crash course to learn. In short, she was made for this particular role, and she was looking forward to it.
Sienna grabbed her messenger bag-cum-purse then got out of the car and took a quick look around. A couple of homeless people leaned in recessed doorways, probably asleep. The sight made her sad but not nervous. She could handle herself and they were just trying to get a night’s sleep under cover from the intermittent showers. She locked up behind her and began to walk purposefully toward Primo Café through the light fog, hoping to time her arrival with that of the employee she’d be working with.
Harlan’s note to his main employee and assistant manager, Jay Ayers, gave the story that his mother had taken a turn for the worse and he’d need to be on the East Coast for an undetermined amount of time. In the meantime, his niece Sienna, who was between jobs, had agreed to come take over the business and help Jay out. Harlan closed by saying he could be best reached by email as he’d usually have his phone off as per hospital rules. Of course, both the inbox and his phone were being monitored by the department.
She knew the area around the café inside and out, having done surveillance and research in the weeks leading up to Coffman’s arrest. She’d even taken it upon herself to go into the shop for coffee a few times to assess the layout and meet the assistant. So even though she’d been thrown into this undercover job last minute with minimal planning and even less intel, she felt confident that she could hold her own, both in keeping her cover and gaining the trust of the people associated with the café. If her boss ever got her the damn associated case files that would help immensely. But it wasn’t anything new to have a hard time getting permissions or information from her boss. Sienna had learned to wing it.
Better to apologize than to beg.
She checked her phone as she strode down the last block toward the café. Almost four a.m.. Right on time to be there for the start of Jay’s shift.
Thank God she was a morning person.
From the information they’d gotten from Harlan, the alley door was alarmed so the staff always came and went through the front door. After a few minutes of trial and error, Sienna had the security gate unlocked and rolled back and the front door open.
She had just stepped inside and was hunting for the lights—it was a rather dark section of the block—when a wary voice came from behind her.
“Can I help you?”
Sienna turned. “You must be Jay Ayers.” She offered her hand, which he slowly took to shake. “I’m Sienna Coffman.”
“Coffman?” Dueling expressions of dawning comprehension and worry crossed his face.
“I’m Harlan’s niece. I thought he told you I was coming?”
Jay frowned and stepped inside, closing and locking the door behind them. “No, sorry.”
“Oh.” She feigned puzzlement, but of course, he hadn’t been inside yet to get the planted note. “Well, I’m sure he meant to. He had to leave town suddenly. His mom’s not doing well. I offered to come help out here until he gets back.” She made sure to have steady eye contact to counteract the load of bullshit she was feeding him. “He gave me his keys and said to be here at four. Said you know everything there is to know.”
Which was why he was one of the primary people Sienna would be watching.
Jay still looked a bit suspicious, and that in turn pricked Sienna’s instincts. She would bide her time, though, and she made her expression as open and guileless as possible. Sienna knew she looked at least a decade younger than her thirty-six years, especially in her current wardrobe of layered tanks that exposed her shoulder and back tattoos, baggy khaki cargo shorts and black boots. She’d gleefully maxed out on visible piercings, sporting six earrings and a cuff on each ear, a silver lip ring, a matching ring in her eyebrow and her birthstone amethyst nose stud.
Her styling was total counterculture, Portland hipster barista. So…basically, herself.
Jay had made his way to the elusive switch and turned on recessed lights around the edge of the room. He gave her a quick once-over now that it was easier to see, his eyes lingering on the side of her neck for a moment before his lips quirked in a half-smile. “Come on back then.” He led the way down the hall toward the back, polite enough to not mention the monster hickey she was sporting, courtesy of the hot dance floor make-out session with buff and blond Greg during her trip to the dance club two nights prior.
Sienna had caught relentless ribbing from her partner Tyson and the other support personnel yesterday. Even though she was single and no saint, she usually had more self-respect than to allow that kind of teenaged branding. But when Greg had come up behind her and wrapped her in his embrace then run his lips down along her neck, she hadn’t been able to help cocking her head to the side, giving him tacit approval to do what he wanted. And obviously what he’d wanted was to mark her well into next week while he’d worked magic with his hands under cover of her clothing.
Actually, she’d be lucky if his bite marks and hickies faded by then. Especially the big one he’d sucked up while she’d come against his hand…
Sienna flushed at the memory of falling apart right there in his arms on the dance floor. Clearing her throat, she pulled her focus back to the situation at hand, annoyed with herself at having let her concentration on the job slip. Normally, she didn’t let anything throw her off, but Greg kept seeping into her thoughts.
“Huh.”
Jay had picked up the note and was reading it. She waited for him to share the news with her.
“Letter from your uncle. He basically said what you did. You go by Cici?”
Those fuckers
. “Yeah. Family nickname I kind of hate. Sienna is fine.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I kind of like Cici.” Jay was relaxed enough around her now to wink at her, catching her a bit off-guard. Everything that they had on him pointed to him being gay, but maybe he was just friendly. Or bi.
Or had horrible taste in nicknames.
She followed his lead and shot him an evil glare. “Use it and die.”
“Die laughing,” he shot back quickly. He tossed her an apron. “Here you go. We’d better get started on the scones or we’ll never be ready on time. You can hang your bag up here if you want.” He indicated a row of hooks on the wall behind the office door. He shrugged out of his coat and hung it on a hook then put on the apron he’d taken down from there. She walked over to follow his suggestion then put on her own apron.
She finally processed what he’d said about the scones. “You guys bake here?” She sucked at cooking.
He led the way into the small galley. “Technically yes, though we get the dough pre-made. Today’s batches are in the fridge—I put them in to defrost last night.” He waved his hand at the appliance. “We get a few other baked goods already done. That delivery will come in about half an hour. Bagels, strudels, muffins—that sort of thing. But the scones are our big seller.” He started washing his hands and she stepped up next to him at the sink to follow suit.
“What time do you open up then?” She already knew but played the part of trainee asking obvious questions.
He shot her a glance. “Five, which is why we need to hustle.”
“Gotcha, boss.” She knew she was going to need to be on top of her game around him. He seemed to have a keen sixth sense about people. What she didn’t know was if that made him more likely to be involved with the criminal activity in and out of the building. It could also be that he wasn’t in it but might have information that could help their investigation.
The best way she’d found to learn a person’s true nature was to work alongside them. Some people were chatters, but you could get a good read even on the ones who weren’t if you spent enough time with them.
Sienna tied on her apron and trailed Jay over to the workspace.
Mr Jay Ayers had himself a new shadow.
About the Author
After living all over the US while growing up, I’ve settled into the beautiful Pacific Northwest and can’t see myself living anywhere else. I’m a mom to two girls, who—to my pride and gratification—love to read and want to make a living with words themselves someday.
Even when I’m not writing, I find myself storing up experiences and people for future reference. I had decades of potential material at my mental fingertips by the time I started putting my stories into words.
I believe that passion is to be treasured, stepping out of the box should be encouraged, and forever can come from the most unlikely of beginnings. So find a story, step inside and immerse yourself in the magic of love. I’ll meet you there…
Email:
[email protected]
Stacey loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at
http://www.totallybound.com
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Also by Stacey Lynn Rhodes
Seasoned Women: Sex on Summer Sabbatical
Seasoned Women: Falling for the Other Brother
Totally Bound Publishing
