Her Christmas Detective - Laura Ann Page 0,19

looked like he wanted to argue, but when Bella flashed a wide smile, the officer nodded and pulled the door closed behind her.

“Bella.” Hank groaned, throwing back his head. “What are you doing?”

Her offended look was almost comical. “I’m here to help you.” Tilting her head, she batted her eyelashes. “Exactly like you said I could.”

“I never—”

“Isabella,” Sheriff Davidson said kindly, but firmly. “This isn’t a meeting for you.”

Her jaw clenched and Hank recognized the stubborn glint in her eyes. Folding her arms over her chest, Bella began to tap her foot. “I have every right to be here. Henry told me we would work together, and as a journalist, I’m covering the situation. You can’t kick me out. The public has a right to know.”

“She also has a right to privacy,” the sheriff pointed out.

Bella looked at Trisha, who was watching everything with wide eyes. “Trisha...it is Trisha, right?”

Trisha frowned, but nodded.

“Do you mind if I’m here? Don’t you think that having a woman around will be helpful? Nobody will understand your concerns more than another woman, right?”

Trisha watched her for several long seconds and Hank held his breath. If Bella got her way, there’d be no end to her crowing. Finally, Trisha nodded. “I think that might be nice.” She pointed a finger at Bella. “But I don’t want you making me out to be the bad guy. I’ve been wronged.”

Bella nodded, but her face wasn’t quite convinced. “Nothing but the bare facts. Got it.” She grabbed a chair out of the corner and sat down at the side of the desk, halfway between the men and Trisha. “I’ll just listen and help out when needed.”

Hank closed his eyes and prayed for strength. This woman seemed bent on upsetting his life.

CHAPTER 7

BELLA SAT, COMPLETELY unsatisfied, as an officer led Trisha away. As soon as the door closed, she spun to look at Henry and Sheriff Davidson. “What are we going to do now? None of this is solved yet.”

Henry leaned back in his seat, his arms folded over his chest and looking cool as a cucumber. “We solved the missing ring. I’d say that’s something.”

Bella rolled her eyes. “Yes. But what about the food? The moving tools? The garden supplies out in the yard? The open doors,” she said in exasperation, naming all the weird things that had been happening. “Trisha says she didn’t do any of that.”

Henry stood from his seat and walked over to her seat, holding out a hand. “Come on, Sleuth, our work for now is done.”

“But we haven’t done anything!” Bella cried, taking his hand and jumping to her feet.

“We’ve figured out what we can,” Sheriff Davidson said from his place still at the table. He was taking notes on a pile of paperwork. “Trisha will see a doctor and we’ll take it from there. Meanwhile, no more jewelry should go missing.”

Bella sighed and allowed Henry to lead her from the police station. They had been inside so long that it was now dark out and the already cool temperature had plummeted even more. Bella shivered and rubbed her hands up and down her arms.

“Where did you park?” Henry asked.

She shook her head. “I can’t go home yet. We need to figure this out.”

Henry sighed and turned her to face him. Cupping her face, he gave her a soft, too short kiss. “Bella, we caught a criminal tonight. Take the victory and be grateful.”

“But-” He kissed her again, stopping her complaint. “Henry-” He kissed her again. Frustrated, Bella put her hands against his chest. “Quit distracting me!”

Henry smirked and leaned back. “But it worked.”

She glared. “That’s not the point. The point is we still have another problem.”

Henry nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, we do. Like, when do I get to take you to dinner again?”

She groaned and threw her forehead against his chest. “You’re impossible.”

“Thank you.”

Bella laughed, shaking against him. “That sounds like something I would say.” She leaned her head back to look into his dark eyes. His gentle fingers brushed a chunk of hair off her forehead.

“Maybe that’s why the world shifted when we kissed earlier, huh?”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Wow. And you called me bold.”

Henry shrugged. “I suppose neither of us are ones to beat around the bush.”

Belle relaxed and laid her cheek against his chest. “Are you going home now? After all, you were hired to find the ring, which is done.”

His chest deflated a little, as he let out a long breath. “I suppose I can find a reason to