Prime Catch by Ilona Fridl Page A

beside her. “My mother told me to pay attention to you. That you had a strong jaw.” He glanced at her face. “Where did you get that bruise?”
    Sarah put her hand to her face. “I almost forgot about it. The investigation got a little rough. It’s complicated to explain.”
    “I think this line of work you’re in is too dangerous. A woman should not work in law enforcement.”
    Her spine straightened. “I knew the risks going in. This is who I am. It’s not your decision to make.”
    He cupped her chin. “It will be if we get married.”
    “Hold it! You’re making some fast moves. Who said anything about marriage?” She pulled back from him. Resentment grew, and her stomach tightened up.
    He softened. “We don’t have to talk about that now.”
    Sarah rose. “No, we don’t. Or ever, as far as I’m concerned.” She retrieved his hat and coat. “I think the evening is over. Goodnight, George.”
    “If you would let us work this out...”
    “Goodbye, George. May you have luck with your business.”
    He put on his hat. “Sarah?” She glared at him. “Never mind. Good evening.”
    She closed the door firmly behind him and slumped against it. How dare he, trying to tell me what to do!

Chapter 11
    Amos was especially grumpy that morning. Seeing those flowers Sarah received the day before had stuck in his craw all night, and it was getting harder to reason away his feelings. Now, he was ready to draw and quarter any man who got close to her. A knock on his office door brought him back to reality.
    “Amos?”
    “Come in, Lakat.”
    She poured some coffee and sat before him with inquisitive eyes. “Well, are you going to arrest Bobby?”
    He slammed his hand on the desk. “You know as well as I do we don’t have enough on him to justify bringing him in.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Could you speak to Sally Cusnoo again to see if she knows where he was the day of the murder?”
    “All right. She’s off from work today, so we’ll have time to talk.” She put the coffee down. “Amos, is something else bothering you? Or is not being able to find enough on Bobby rubbing you the wrong way?”
    Amos glared at her. “Flowers.”
    “What?”
    “Flowers. There will be no more delivery of flowers to this office. We’re not a goddamn lonely hearts club. Keep your private life at home. You got that?”
    “Loud and clear, Sheriff.” She rose. “I’m off to speak to Sally.”
    Amos ruffled the papers on his desk and turned his back on her until he heard the door close. Maybe I should have gone with her. No, Sally is her friend and wouldn’t feel comfortable if I was around. Sarah can handle it.
    With a knock at the door, Sam called out, “You have a telegram from Sheriff Mahoney in Cordova.”
    “Bring it in.”
    Sam handed him the yellow envelope, and Amos tore it open. “Sam, there was another warning for a cannery near him. He says he’ll take care of it and let me know what happens.”
    Sam shook his head. “It seems like this group has quite a network of people involved.”
    Amos nodded. “I, for one, will never suspect the natives to be merely dumb savages. Not after this.”
    As Sam went back to work, Amos started planning his next move. He had to keep his mind on something other than Sarah’s love life.
    ****
    Sarah was glad Bobby’s truck wasn’t at the house as she went up the porch steps. Sally greeted her at the door. “Sarah, what brings you here?”
    “I need to ask you a few questions.”
    “On the investigation?”
    “Yes. Can you remember what Bobby did the day of the murder?”
    “Well, he left for work at the usual time―”
    “Wait a minute. You say he went to work that day?”
    Sally’s eyes darkened. “He did. Is something wrong?”
    “We checked the personnel list, and his name wasn’t on it.”
    Sally put a hand to her mouth. “Oh, no. You don’t think he―”
    “We don’t know, yet. That’s why we keep checking things. What did he do later