Hide & Seek - Nicole Edwards Page 0,19
over the rubber floor mat, then put a dog bed on the other side.
Brantley couldn’t help it, he laughed. “You coulda told me you love dogs.”
A smile formed on Reese’s mouth as he closed the back door and then got into the front passenger seat.
Brantley passed over Reese’s food bag before tearing into his own.
“There’s an extra burger,” he told Reese around a mouthful of fries, “but I didn’t want him to overdo it.”
While Reese ate, he continuously peered behind them.
“I need to call Kennedy,” Reese said. “I’m hopin’ she can fit her in when we get back to Coyote Ridge.”
Yes, Kennedy Walker—his cousin Sawyer’s wife—was the town veterinarian. And it didn’t surprise him one bit that Reese was already thinking ahead, figuring out what was necessary to take care of the dog. Though he probably wouldn’t admit it, Reese was the nurturing sort. He was the first to take care of people. Brantley knew firsthand because it had been that caring side that had brought Reese to his bed in the first place. Albeit completely platonic thanks to the migraine Brantley had suffered.
“You think they’ll even notice?” Reese asked, peering back at the dog while he took a bite of his burger.
“Doubtful. If they do, I’m sure they won’t sweat it for a second. Not like they’ll go lookin’ for him. You come up with a name yet?”
“Tesha,” Reese said quickly. “It’s an Indian name for survivor.”
“You know this how?”
“Smartphone.” He grinned. “Internet.”
Brantley considered it then recalled what Reese just said. “I like it. But you said you hoped Kennedy could get her in.” He peered at her in the rearview mirror. “Sorry, little lady. Didn’t mean to offend.”
After they ate, Reese took Tesha for a quick walk to do her doggy business, but it appeared she was gun-shy. Rather than wait, Brantley decided to make a trip over to the high school so he could talk to the principal, see what information they could get on Tanner Wright. It wouldn’t surprise him one bit if they knew more about the kid than his own parents. They were the ones who had contacted the detective, after all.
“You hang here with Tesha,” he told Reese as he parked in a visitor’s spot. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
The school he entered was nothing like the small-town high school he’d attended. This one was more like a college with its enormous campus and numerous outbuildings. He managed to make his way inside, past some metal detectors, which automatically went off and required him to flash his badge and his credentials, then into the office, where he found an older woman sitting behind a computer, glasses balancing precariously on the tip of her nose while her fingers were tapping away on the keys.
“Can I help you?” She looked up. Only her eyes.
“I’d like to speak to the principal,” he said, holding up his badge.
That got her attention. The glasses were removed, set on the desk. “Are you with HPD?”
“No.”
Before he could announce that he was with the governor’s task force, she nodded as though it didn’t matter. A badge apparently got your needs met. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or bad.
She hit a button on her phone, then spoke softly. A few minutes later, an older woman stepped out of an office, her eyes narrowed on him from behind a pair of thin-rim glasses. Hers were sitting properly on her face.
“I’m Principal Rasher,” she announced, offering a hand. “How can I help you?”
Producing his badge once more, Brantley introduced himself, told her the reason for his visit. As soon as he mentioned Tanner’s name, her attention shifted.
“We’ve been worried,” she said softly. “Please. Let’s go into my office.”
“I take it Tanner’s not one to miss school?”
“Never.” Her eyes scanned his face as though she was gauging what to say. She clearly decided he was on the up-and-up, because she said, “We can’t get his parents to attend a single parent-teacher conference, but he’s here every day. Perfect attendance last year, and so far this year, in fact.”
“Seems like a big school. You on a first-name basis with all your students?”
Principal Rasher eased down into her chair. “I wish. But Tanner is one of those we keep an eye on. Not because he causes any trouble, mind you. He’s a good kid.”
Brantley took a seat across from her.
“A-B honor roll, perfect attendance.”
“What got him on your radar?”
“Financial concerns.” She clasped her hands on top of the desk, sat up