stood and raised his finger, asking me to wait, smiling for some odd reason.
“Whatever it is, Logan is opposed.” Josh shoved more pizza into his mouth and watched the byplay between the five men.
I scanned the restaurant for anyone who could clue me in to what was happening and noticed George Anderson, the owner of Pop’s, opening the private dining area he used for birthday parties. Pop’s was packed, so I didn’t think much of it until he called out two of the town’s city council members by name. When they stood and followed George inside and shut the door, I knew something was up. My father was on the city council when he was alive, and I couldn’t think of a single time they called a meeting on a Friday night after a football game. In the middle of a snowstorm. In a pizza parlor, no less. Whatever had happened was big, and I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach it was about Duke.
I shot my attention back to Logan and waited. He shook his head slowly, then dropped his chin to his chest, placing both hands at the nape of his neck while he contemplated something. When he straightened and looked back at me, I raised my brows in question. He watched me for a moment, then turned his head and nodded. Handshakes were thrown out, shoulder slaps in appreciation were exchanged before Logan finally turned my direction and headed back.
I stood as he approached, with a gnawing fear I wouldn’t like what he was about to tell me.
“We need to talk.”
“What’s happened? What’s going on?” Logan took my hand and drew me off into a corner. My heart pounded out a rapid beat and my mouth ran dry as we walked. Once we were far enough away from any tables, he spoke.
“Duke’s truck and boat were found in Wyoming. At Yellowstone Lake. His boat was on the water, but there’s no sign of him.”
I’d been preparing for this news since I’d heard he was missing, but it still hit me in the chest like a sledgehammer. “Are they going to drag the lake for him?” The words felt dry in my throat.
“That’s what I’ll ask,” Logan returned, “when I get there.”
“Wait, what? You’re heading to Wyoming?”
“Yeah. Seems Duke—”
“Storm!” Ty called out from the conference room, waving us over. Logan sighed and took my hand, leading me to the room. Everyone was seated when we stepped inside, waiting, it seemed, for us.
“What’s going on?” I posed the question to the whole room.
“We voted and it was unanimous for those here,” Gerry Sullivan began. “We called the other council members and got their vote of confidence on record.”
“Vote for what?”
With a flick of his wrist, Gerry tossed something metal at Logan. When he opened his hand, a badge was staring back at me. And not any badge, the Chief of Police.
“I don’t understand?”
“It’s temporary until I find Duke or a suitable replacement is hired.”
“What’s temporary?” I looked between Gerry and Logan. “Are you saying you made Logan the Chief of Police?”
“Temporarily,” Logan stated.
“But he’s been here two days. You don’t even know him.”
“Are you saying you don’t think he can do the job?” Ty asked confused.
Logan and Ty’s newfound respect for each other still threw me. One minute they were ready to kill each other, and the next Ty was voting for him as the new chief. “Of course, he can. With his military background he’s the obvious choice. But how do any of you know that?”
Gerry rose from his seat, hooked his thumbs through his belt loops. “Duke chose him. Strong-armed him really, without even trying. And that was good enough for us.”
Ed nodded in agreement. “Seems your man made quite the impression on Duke. He ran his background yesterday and told us last night over a beer that he’d found his replacement. Fortuitous for us considering Duke is missing. And you’re right. Out of all the men in Ennis, Mr. Storm is the most qualified to take on the responsibility until we can figure out what’s happened to Duke.”
Logan squeezed my shoulder and I looked up at him. “I’ll do everything in my power to find Duke. I can promise you that.”
Logan’s silent strength put me at ease. If anyone could find Duke, it was him. “I guess I need to fire you then.”
A grin crossed his mouth. “I think I can hold down two jobs.”
Considering he used to fight terrorists for a