Broadrick had on a black leather coat. It looked new because I'd definitely remember if he'd worn it before. It curved in on him in all the right places. That coat had a starring role in fantasies across America, but I didn't have time to stand around and drool over him. I'd pencil time in to do it later.

Police from the county were fanning out to look for bullet casings in the large high school lot, and at least five kids were standing in the grassy area attached to the building. More peeked their heads out from behind windows in classrooms.

Anderson would have a mess on his hands soon, and I needed to get out of here before then because he'd be a real bear about protecting the crime scene and yada yada things like that.

"Broadrick, I need the bike. I can't drive my car. She's wounded."

Anderson trudged over to us, his tan trench coat blowing in the wind. If he wasn't such a jerk face, he'd look pretty cool. Lainey stayed with the EMTs at the ambulance. "Miss Vines, why do I always find you at these things?"

I shrugged. He didn't really want an answer. I knew from experience. "I'm just leaving."

Anderson narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. Now I had three tall ass men standing across from me with their arms crossed. Talk about intimidating. Thankfully, I didn't intimidate easily.

"You're wanted for questioning," Anderson said and reached for his badge like I didn't know he was a cop.

"Why?" I crossed my arms and spread my feet apart so we all matched.

Anderson released a deep breath. "You were shot at!"

"Exactly! I was shot at. I didn't shoot anyone, and honestly I saw nothing." He'd never believe it, but I didn't. I was too busy trying to protect Lainey's head so she could scream like a banshee. He should be thanking me.

"Sit tight," he said and stormed off.

They had Lainey in the back of an ambulance with the blanket wrapped around her as Thatcher, the EMT, asked her questions. Anderson probably saw her talking to another male and had to intervene. As suspected, he walked right over and practically pushed Thatcher out of the way.

A steady snow started, and we all looked up at the same time. That's all this crime scene needed was snow.

"I haven't done anything!" I yelled at Anderson from across the parking lot and walked his way. If I left before he gave the okay, he was likely to arrest me.

We met halfway. "Why were you with Miss McLeod?"

So that's what this was about. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Yes, that's why I asked, Vonnie." Anderson twisted around to give Lainey a quick glance.

When he turned around again, Lainey flashed me a wide-eyed expression. She didn't speak, and we were too far for me to hear anything anyway, but I didn't miss the panic in her glance. She wanted our conversation to stay quiet.

Damn, being a good friend sucked sometimes.

But if they were going to end up together anyway, I could help with a gentle nudge.

"Look, Anderson, I haven't even bought her any black clothing." What more did he want from me? Plus, she had her own, so technically, I didn't have to procure any for her, but I left that detail out of the conversation.

"Why were they shooting at your car if you believe they were shooting at Miss McLeod?" Anderson asked.

Rather than meet his gaze, I watched Lainey jump from the back of the ambulance and slowly make her way over to us. They must not have found any stray bullets in her. Although, I noticed no one stopped to make sure I wasn't bleeding from bullet holes.

I hadn't thought about his question, and I didn't like the answers I came up with when I did.

"They probably saw us chatting," I said, not wanting to get into it too deeply and I didn't know what Lainey had told him about her ex. Not everything was a conspiracy. "Listen, I gave you an excellent review."

"You what?" he asked with his brow so furrowed it formed a whole new wrinkle on his forehead.

I decided not to point it out.

Because I'm nice like that.

Anderson and I stared off at one another. Him thinking over what I said and me considering if I had time to stop in for a second cupcake before my next appointment. It seemed like everyone deserved a post-shooting cupcake. If it wasn't already a thing, I'd make it a thing.

The realization hit him slowly and then all at once, like a train. He wasn't very speedy for the town's only detective.

I nodded when his eyes lit up. "Don't make me amend my previous statement to Miss McLeod." I put heavy emphasis on the Miss part.

Broadrick came to stand beside me, but I didn't relent from my stare-down with Anderson. A full thirty seconds later, he finally gave in with a slump of his shoulders.

"Fine, you can go. For now, but we will catch up later."

I almost bowed. "I'll be waiting with bated breath." The meaning of the phrase was still sketchy in my mind, but it sounded good at the time.

With Anderson taken care of, I marched on toward Broadrick's bike as the detective returned to Lainey. Broadrick kept in step with me, and when we reached his motorcycle, I held my hand out for the keys.

"Absolutely not," he said.

I did not have time to waste fighting with Broadrick over his bike when we both knew I'd win.

"B, this is serious. Life or death."

"Life or death? For real?"

I nodded. "Yes."

He sighed and took his helmet off the back of his bike and handed it to me. My lips curled up. I tried to suppress the smile, but it didn't work. I knew I'd win.

The big guy shook his head as if he'd read my mind. "I'm driving."

I wanted to complain. Possibly make a comment about the sexist nature of the statement and the fact that I had to wear the helmet and not him, but I really didn't have time to waste.

"To the diner," I said and shoved the helmet on my head, completely messing up my hair.

Broadrick helped me fix the strap around my chin. "You want to eat?"

"No interrogate."

He shrugged and helped me get on the bike after he did. Broadrick kicked the stand and we tore out of the parking lot down Main Street to the café.

Broadrick circled the block to reach the main parking lot behind the diner since the spots on the street were full. He turned off the bike, but I shook my head and tapped him on the shoulder before he got off.

"She's not here," I yelled through the helmet. Fresh bread aromas floated from the bakery down the street, and I regretted not stopping for the post-shooting cupcake.

He turned around and lifted the visor. "How do you know?"

"Trish drives a pea green Kia Soul. It's hard to miss." She also complained about the car nonstop to the point it was impossible to forget what she drove. The only reason she bought it was because it sat on the used car lot so long they practically gave it to her-at least that's how she told the story.

"Where does she live?" he asked.

I pointed in front of us. "Head north and I'll give you directions until you see the Kia."

Broadrick shook his head but turned around to reposition himself. We took off down the road with small flakes of snow falling around us. The wind cut through my coat as we darted through the streets. At each intersection, I tapped Broadrick on his shoulders to signal which way to go.

The pea green Kia came into view, and I pointed at it. Broadrick gave a nod and slowed before he pulled into the driveway. I guess we weren't sneaking into this one.

"Wait here," I said as I handed him his helmet and slid off the bike. I wasn't used to riding with him, so I had to hop on one foot before I got the other one under me properly.

He attached the helmet to the back of the bike using hot guy magic and got off as well. The man didn't listen to a thing I said. "You're not going in there alone."

"It's Trish's house. She's practically a bakery girl." She hadn't joined because she spent most of her time at the diner, but she always counted as a source of gossip when we needed to verify something.

Broadrick did the arm-crossing thing. "Someone shot at you today."

"Shot at, not hit and definitely not by Trish." She wouldn't even let them use regular mouse traps in the diner. The woman didn't have a killer bone in her body.

Although the advice he'd given me earlier settled into my thoughts. Maybe my suspect really was the last person I'd suspect.

"No way, babe." He grabbed my shoulders and pulled me close, taking the time to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear before he spoke again. "The minutes between receiving Ridge's call that there'd been shots fired and seeing you alive and well in the parking lot were the longest of my life. I don't think I took a breath during the entire ride."

I smiled up at him. How did I stay mad when he said such sweet things? Oh right. We didn't have time to be mushy. I had a murderer to catch, and this one would not be easy. "It's a good thing Pelican Bay is small. You might have passed out and fallen off your bike."

He squeezed me tightly, and I took solace in his touch. A joke helped me get through, but I appreciated Broadrick's concern. For so many years, he'd been this man I loved with miles between us, but now he was here. I could touch him whenever I wanted.

Although he was bossier than I remembered.

"Does this make you my boyfriend again?" I asked as we parted.