Secrets in a Still Life, Kari Ganske [best fiction books to read .TXT] 📗

"Stay away from Mike, Alex. Stay away from this case. I'm only going to warn you this one time."

I almost said "Or what?" but caught myself just in time. He may be a dingbat, but he was still chief of police. Best not to poke the bear.

Instead, I said, "Sure thing, Chief. Hey, did Mike happen to tell you where he was going when he saw the VW?"

"Wednesday night is poker at the lodge. He didn't have to tell me."

"Interesting. Now, I know I've been away for a while, but unless the lodge moved, he was heading the opposite way when we saw him," I said, adjusting the camera bag on my shoulder.

The chief's face got a little red. He poked a pudgy finger at my chest. "No worry of yours. Keep your nose out of it. Leave the police work to the professionals."

"Of course. Good to see you, Chief. Have a great day," I said, my voice dripping sweetness and innocence. When I stepped around him, I saw Linc leaning against the door to the engine bay with his signature smirk.

He waited until the door shut between us and the chief, who still stood in the lobby, giving me the stink eye, before he said, "I didn't think anyone's eyes could roll so far back in their head. You know, if you keep that up, they'll stay that way."

"Thanks, Dad," I said. I caught myself rolling my eyes again and stopped midway. "Is Crystal the only one I'll be photographing today?"

"Officer Martinez volunteered to have hers done today. And we could do one of my shots, if you want," he offered. "The humane society will be here soon with a few furry friends. And Fang is around here somewhere."

As if on cue, Fang, a tornado of black and white fur, barreled toward us at full speed. Linc put himself between the excited dog and my crutch-supported body. Man and dog wrestled for a moment, then Fang turned his attention to me.

"Sit," Linc commanded. Fang complied and lifted his paw to me.

I shook it and patted his head with my non-crutch hand. "What a good boy. Such a gentleman. Can we get some shots with him too?"

"Maybe. We usually keep it to adoptable animals. Another advertisement for the humane society. Fang doesn't usually sit still either. Just ask Andrea. She actually had the joy of trying to pose with him when he was a guest at the animal shelter. Before I adopted him."

"Did someone say my name?" Officer Martinez called. She made her way across the bay to where we were setup. Fang barked and ran circles around her legs. She gave him a pat on the head, and, satisfied, he disappeared into the recesses of the engine bay.

"Hey, Andrea," Linc said, flashing her his full smile. He pronounced it "Ahn-drey-a," of course, because she wasn't exotic enough as it was.

They embraced in a friendly hug, and I felt an inexplicable wave of jealousy. Linc could hug anyone he wanted to. Even if that anyone was a mahogany-skinned, fit, twentysomething with the sleekest, healthiest hair I had ever seen. It didn't matter that he hadn't hugged me since I'd been back. I hadn't even noticed.

Andrea held her hand out to me, her grip firm and strong. "We didn't get to really meet the other night," Andrea said. "We really appreciate you doing this for us. The calendar is one of our biggest joint fundraisers. And to have someone of your caliber shooting it brings an added level. I saw your photos of the Puerto Rican hurricane damage. They were amazing."

"Oh, no." I waved away the compliment, embarrassed. "I always seemed to be in the wrong place. The spread in National Geographic was much better."

"I didn't see that one. All I know is you showed the humanity and the destruction with such grace and reverence. Without them feeling exploitative."

"Wow. Thank you," I said, warming to her immediately. "That is probably one of the nicest things anyone has said about my photography."

"My grandparents live there, so I have an added interest," Andrea explained.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. How are they doing?" I asked. Having seen the destruction firsthand, I immediately felt a connection.

"Much better, thank you for asking." She laughed to lighten the mood. "I guess doing a silly photo shoot with local first responders and some fluffy adoptees is a bit boring compared to other things you've seen."

"Everyone has a story to tell. Some are more dramatic than others, sure, but each one is unique. That's what I like to capture. So, we'll take this more like a documentary approach instead of a posed shoot. I'm gonna set up my gear and get some settings."

I moved toward the area where Linc indicated they usually took the photos. I took a moment to scan the space. The concrete corner was impersonal and rather dark. I'd rather shoot with the bay door open, letting in all that natural light, and with the fire trucks in the background barely in focus. It would add color and personality and context.

I turned to tell Linc and was surprised to find him watching me.

"You know you mumble to yourself as you work," he said.

Great. Another notch in my Alex is Awkward belt. Out loud I said, "How important is that spot to you?" I pointed to the corner.

He shrugged. "Not at all. That's just where we've always done it."

"Not this year. Can we open the bay door? The middle one here. And is it possible to pull that ambulance a little farther into the garage? To leave a little more space between the door and the truck?"

I was in the zone now. Asking for little adjustments, but not really asking. Linc moved around the space accommodating my every request with barely