“I was sent to Shadow Valley to help solve this murder case. I’m not solving it by standing on the periphery, waiting for something to happen.”
“Swede is gathering data. Hopefully, he’ll find something we can sink our teeth into,” Grant said. “Speaking of sinking our teeth into something, that looks like our order.”
The waitress delivered their order, topped off their drinks and left them to their meal.
For the next few minutes, they ate in silence. Avery appreciated the quiet camaraderie she shared with Grant. She ate more of her salad than she thought she would and sighed when she laid down her fork.
Grant stared across the table at her. “You need sleep.”
“I’ll be okay,” she said and yawned.
“The doctor said you needed sleep to help with your recovery.”
“I slept three days solid. You’d think that would be enough.”
“Apparently not.” Grant laid down his napkin and pushed his plate aside. “Maybe this stakeout isn’t the way to go. If we confront the imposter now and put her in jail, we might be able to call it a night and get some sleep.”
“As tempting as that sounds, I want to follow through with the fake Agent Hart on the off chance she’s working with the killer. If we follow and nothing comes of it, we can expose her and get that sleep you are intent on acquiring.” She smiled.
A movement out of the corner of her eye made her glance toward Melissa and the woman who sat across the table with her. They slid out of the booth and straightened.
When they headed toward the table where Grant and Avery sat, Avery dipped her head low to hide her face. She’d taken off the sunglasses shortly after entering because the bar and grill had such dim lighting.
The two women walked past and exited the restaurant.
A man Avery recognized as the one from earlier that day who’d brought a tray of coffee to the sheriff’s office left his seat at the bar and followed the women out.
Avery frowned. “What was that man’s name?”
“Dave? Dan?” Grant shook his head. “He was the one who brought coffee to the sheriff’s office.”
A creepy feeling slid over Avery’s skin. “Ready?” She laid down her napkin and scooted out of the booth seat.
Grant tossed two twenties on the table and rose. “Let’s find out where Fake Avery goes at night.”
Darkness had wrapped itself around the small town of Shadow Valley, with streetlights forming little light havens.
Grant stepped out of the bar and grill first and held the door for Avery. She tugged the hat down low and eased out the door, only to be pulled into the shadows and into Grant’s arms.
“We needed an excuse to just stand outside, and I don’t smoke,” Grant said, his voice low and resonant, the sound wrapping warmly around Avery. “Just go with it.”
Oh, she wanted to go with it, all right. She’d like it even better if he kissed her. Her hands, resting on his chest, moved up to wrap around the back of his neck. She leaned up on her toes, her mouth so close to his. All he had to do was lower his head an inch and...
Grant brushed his lips against hers and then leaned back. “The two women are standing next to Melissa’s car, still talking.”
Her heart beating so fast she couldn’t catch her breath, Avery turned her head just enough toward the two women to observe them with her peripheral vision. It took her several seconds to regain focus after Grant’s casual kiss. A kiss that had been anything but casual to Avery.
The only light shining in the bar and grill parking area was from the streetlight at the corner.
Melissa Bradley stood talking to the imposter for another moment, then climbed into a sedan and drove away.
Fake Avery stared after Melissa’s car as she eased out onto the road.
Avery was on the verge of asking Grant what he meant by that kiss when the imposter slipped into her car and drove out of the parking lot.
“As much as I want to hold you in my arms,” Grant whispered, “we need to go.”
Avery didn’t voice her opinion out loud, but she was one hundred percent in agreement with the desire to remain locked in their fake lover’s embrace.
