A Good Day for Chardonnay (Sunshine Vicram #2) by Darynda Jones

He held it up to her. “Besides the initials and the intricate engraving? No.”

“You were trying to trace it back to the engraver.”

After he dropped it inside, he nodded. “Yes.”

“And?”

“Denver artist. Sold it at a convention, but the initials were added later.”

“Did he have a record of the transaction?”

“The guy paid cash.”

“Damn it.”

He dropped his gaze, and asked, “How’s Red?”

She sealed the bag and reached around him again to put it on her desk, unwilling to give up her prime location just yet. “Worried about you.”

He bit down, the muscles in his jaw working. “I’m sorry.”

“She adores you.”

His gaze bounced back to hers. “The feeling is mutual.”

His admission caused a warmth to blossom in her chest. “Thank you.”

He let appreciation soften his features.

“You know, even with the badge, I’m not a real threat to you, Levi. I never was.”

He scoffed. “Shine, you are the only person on the planet I do feel threatened by.” He spread his knees apart as though encouraging her to inch closer. “Nothing you do or say is going to change that. Extra points for effort, though.”

Under the guise of concern, she reached up and ran her fingertips along the bruises on his cheek, down to his lean jaw, over to his full mouth.

“Just so you know,” he said softly, “we have an audience.”

Startled, Sun turned to see Zee, Salazar, Anita, and Mrs. Fairborn gaping at them through the wide-open door. “Oh, shit,” she said, lunging away from him. She brushed herself off and straightened. “Thank you, Levi. I can’t believe I tripped.”

“They’ve been watching for, like, five minutes.”

“Hey, Mrs. Fairborn. How’s the confession coming?” she asked again, discomfort prickling along her nerve endings.

“Not as good as your interrogation,” the spitfire said. She wiggled her brows.

Zee fought a grin as Salazar and Anita busied themselves with paperwork. Mrs. Fairborn gave her a thumbs-up.

Sun cleared her throat. “Way to sheriff, Sunshine. I need to call Las Vegas PD. Where was that truck exactly?”

“North of Airport Road off 25,” Levi said. “I think it used to be a mobile-home construction facility or something.”

“You can tell me later how you found it. For now, call your sister.”

Levi acquiesced with a nod, carefully donned his shirt, and walked out.

She followed. “How do you spell massacre?” Mrs. Fairborn asked Levi.

He chuckled as Quincy brought the cap into the bullpen, signed, sealed in an evidence bag, and delivered. Metaphorically speaking.

Sun nodded a thank you. “Let’s get this to forensics.”

“Sure thing, boss.”

“I just called Pres,” she said, referring to the hospital where they’d taken Keith Seabright.

Levi whirled around to her. “How is he?”

“He’s alive. Critical but stable. You were right about the tox screen.”

“I know.”

She stepped closer. “Levi, how much do you know about him?”

“We’ve been friends for a few years, but he’s very private. I just know he was in Special Forces and is now a survivalist living off-grid.”

“Let me show you something.” She led him to Zee’s computer. After sitting in Zee’s chair, she gestured for him to take Salazar’s and showed him Elliot. “Do you know this kid?”

He scooted closer for a better look, then lifted a shoulder. “That’s his nephew, Eli.”

Her gaze darted to Quincy. “Elliot.”

Quince walked over, his expression pensive.

“Who’s Elliot?” Levi asked.

“Elliot Kent was abducted from his home in Santa Fe seven years ago. He would be twelve now.” She gestured toward the screen. “And he would look exactly like that.”

“Are you saying you think Seabright abducted a kid?”

“Do you have another explanation?”

He sat back in the chair, clearly angry. “Eli is Seabright’s sister’s kid. They live in Bisbee. He stays with him a lot in the summers and during hunting season.”

“Levi, Keith Seabright had only one sister and she died when he was ten. She was fourteen. She never had a kid.”

Levi looked like the air had been knocked out of his lungs. “You’re wrong. He would never abduct a kid.”

“We can figure that out later. But if Eli was abducted and Keith’s in the hospital, that means Eli is alone and … and possibly imprisoned.”

The look he gave her would’ve killed a lesser being. “You’re wrong.” He stood and stormed out.

She caught up to him and stopped him at the front entrance by throwing herself into his path, an act of desperation comparable to playing in oncoming traffic. She put a hand on his arm.

He speared her with a glare worthy of a king. “Move. I’m going to find Eli.” He started around her, but she stepped into his path again.

“You know where he lives?”

He gave her a reluctant shake of his head. “No, but I have a good idea.”