The Dark Places by R. Whitfield (novel24 TXT) 📕

I could, including the discovery of a respected legacy of father-daughter police officers.”

Michael reached out and put his hand on Parker’s shoulder, squeezing it affectionately.

“You promise me that you’ll watch her back and she’ll damn sure watch yours.” Parker nodded, and the men fell silent. At that moment, Erin and Surin walked back in carrying coffee. Surin handed one to Parker and eyed them both suspiciously.

“What the hell are you two talking about?” she asked carefully.

“Surin!” her mother scolded.

“Ma! ‘Hell’ is not a curse word!”

Both Michael and Parker laughed.

“Nothing important, baby,” Michael answered. “Guy stuff.”

Surin shook her head and sat next to Parker on the couch. She immediately felt his leg brush against hers, and a wave of heat flooded her body. She sat forward too quickly, spilling coffee on the floor.

“Surin!” her mother said, grabbing a tea towel off the bench and wiping it up.

“Sorry!” she said, feeling embarrassed. Erin must have sensed her awkwardness and instantly changed the subject.

“So, to what do we owe the pleasure of your company?” she asked with a smile.

Surin glanced at Parker, who was looking down at the coffee cup in his hands. “We’re on a serial case, and it led us here,” she answered carefully.

Michael sat forward. “Here?” he echoed, “North East?”

Parker interjected, “The geographic profile we have so far, points to this town or one close by.”

Michael looked at Surin, who avoided his gaze.

“So, Surin suggested we stop in for a visit,” Parker added.

Both Erin and Michael laughed as Surin shook her head.

“Now we know you’re pulling our legs, Parker,” Erin said. “Surin avoids this place like the plague.” She patted her leg affectionately. “We understand, it’s an ongoing case, you can’t talk about it blah, blah, blah.” Erin stood and wiped her hands on her dress. “Whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re both here.” With that, she left the room, and Michael sat back to continue watching the football.

“Come with me, Rhodes, I’ll show you to the guest room.” Surin stood and gestured for him to move. She led him up a set of stairs lined with mismatched photo frames like you would see in a movie. Surin and Mason as babies; first day of school, with bags bigger than their bodies; first day of high school, head cheerleader, graduation, college years; Surin in her dress blues, with a young fresh rookie expression on her face; Mason’s wedding, and a million other happy family memories. Parker shook his head and chuckled.

Surin reached the top and turned to look at him. He was on the step below her, which bought them both to eye level and closer than she intended. Parker stopped and waited, Surin didn’t move.

A loud noise from downstairs instantly broke the spell. “What was that?” Parker asked.

Surin smiled. “My dad,” she replied, “he is not a fan of the referees.” Parker nodded understandingly. “What were you laughing about just now?” she asked him, trying to regain some composure.

He gestured to the wall of photos. “I don’t understand why you don’t come here every chance you get.”

Surin tilted her head to the side. “It’s not them, Parker, it’s everyone else.” She turned and continued down the hall to her brother’s bedroom and opened the door. “You can stay in here — that is if you can sleep with all these terrible musicians staring down at you all night.” She gestured to one of the Creed posters on the wall. “Ma keeps them up to embarrass him every time he comes home.” She smiled. “You should see my room.” Parker looked back at her, and she blushed. “Lots of pink, layers of ruffles and pom-pom’s — it’s a true nightmare!”

Parker chuckled.

“Get settled, then we can go get some lunch and have a look around,” Surin continued.

He nodded and watched as she closed the door behind her. He lay back on the squeaky double bed and rubbed his hand over his face. “Get a grip on yourself,” he said quietly. Sitting up, he stared out the window and saw the majestic towering pines in the distance. This is a truly beautiful place, he thought. What in the world could make her detest it so much?

29

Surin was sitting on the couch, chatting quietly to Michael when Parker made his way downstairs.

“Hey!” She smiled up at him. “I’m starving. Let’s go eat.” She stood up and kissed her dad affectionately on his head. Parker nodded towards Michael as they walked out the front door.

Outside, the sun was sparkling, bright and warm. Parker looked around, taking in the scene that had been Surin’s life.

The street was lined with large homes much like hers, perfectly green manicured lawns, and the distant sound of children’s laughter echoed through the tall pines. A young boy of about six sped past Surin on his shiny red pushbike, and she had to jump back out of the way to avoid getting hit.

“Hey, watch it!” she yelled after him as he rang his bell. “Little shit,” she mumbled, and Parker chuckled. “I hope you don’t mind, but I cancelled the Comfort Inn,” she stated.

Parker looked sideways at her as she opened the car door and slid in.

“Ma had an absolute breakdown when I told her we weren’t going to stay the night.” Parker smiled. “Trust me,” Surin continued, “it’s easier this way.”

“That sounds fine by me,” Parker replied, shrugging his shoulders with indifference. “Now, where to first?” he added and reached over to retrieve the gas station map from beside the passenger seat. Surin looked over at him and grinned.

“You won’t find anything on that map I can’t get you to,” she said.

“Then let’s start with something to eat,” he continued.

“Fast Eddies Pit Beef, it is then.” She pulled out onto the road. “It’s the best feed you will ever