Page 58 of Deadly Conflicts

16

Sixteen

Mandy wasin a hurry when she left the courthouse shortly after six. James expected her home an hour before. He hadn’t called or texted – which was his usual manner of harassing her when she was late – but she knew she was living on borrowed time.

The elevator dinged when she hit the first floor and she pulled up short when she saw Clint standing on the other side of the door. He looked as surprised to see her as she was to see him.

“What are you still doing here?”

“I had a lot of work to get through,” Mandy replied, releasing a shaky gasp. “You scared me a little bit. I didn’t expect to see anyone down here.”

“You’re lucky,” Clint said. “I was just about to lock up the building. I had no idea you were still here.”

“Well, I still could’ve gotten out, right?”

Clint nodded. “Yes, but now you have me to walk you to your car,” he said. “This town isn’t as safe as it used to be. People are getting shot left and right across Gratiot these days. I guess it’s good you’re getting out now, huh?”

“I guess so,” Mandy agreed, falling into step with him as he led her toward the front door. “I’m thrilled for you, by the way. I think you and Heidi are going to be really happy.”

“That’s the plan,” Clint said, holding open the door so Mandy could walk out first. He followed, his alert eyes scanning the street in front of the courthouse before directing Mandy toward the side parking lot. “I wasn’t sure I was the marrying type, but it just somehow felt right. Do you know what I mean?”

“I do,” Mandy replied, bobbing her head. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get married until James and I got together either. I mean, in the back of my head I knew I did, but the idea of loving someone with my whole heart seemed like a distant fantasy.”

“I think love is one of those things that finds you,” Clint said. “You don’t find it. Love happens when you least expect it.”

“That’s a good way to look at it,” Mandy said, smiling as they approached her car. It was the only one in the parking lot. On a whim, she swiveled quickly and hugged Clint. “Thank you for making my friend so happy.”

Clint chuckled as he awkwardly patted Mandy’s back. “I’m really going to miss you when you leave.”

“You’re going to see me,” Mandy said, pulling back. “This place wasn’t a home, but I found family here. You’re part of that family.”

“Are you sure James will like that? He doesn’t seem to want you hanging around here. I would assume that dislike includes the people who work here.”

“I know you and James had problems in the past, but he’s a good man,” Mandy said. “He doesn’t want me to leave because of the people. He wants me to leave because of the cases. He wants to travel and spend time together without the pall of death and crime hanging over us.”

“Is that what you want?”

“It is,” Mandy answered. “I never thought I would get to live the life we’re building, but I’m so excited that it’s going to happen I don’t even know how to express it.”

“Well, I’m happy for you.”

“I’m happy for you, too,” Mandy said. “It seems everyone is going to get their happily ever after.”

“I certainly hope you’re right,” Clint said. “I know that I’m looking forward to having a wife and the perfect life. It’s what I’ve always wanted.”

“I think that’s fair to say about everyone.”

“IT DOESN’T go there.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I know that a round peg doesn’t fit in a square hole,” Grady countered, his hands landing on his hips as he stared down James. “Stop being a pain and let me put that … thing … where it belongs.”

James studied the long metal pin in his hand and scowled. He hated admitting Grady was right, even when it was obvious the oldest Hardy brother was clearly wrong this go around. “Just so you know, it does fit.” James wedged the pin in for good measure and fought the urge to laugh as Grady rolled his eyes.

“You’re such an idiot sometimes,” Grady said, grabbing the pin and yanking it out.

“If you’re such a genius, you tell me where that goes, smart guy,” James challenged.