Page 39 of Ultimate Justice

Marlie met him outside. “Well, what did they say?”

“I lost them in the crowd. I went back and talked to that produce vendor.” He tapped the black tub under his arm. “She bought this tub of marijuana from the same couple Noah ID’d as John and Margaret. She claims she doesn’t know anything about them.”

“Do you believe her?”

“Yeah. I do.”

“How do you know she was telling the—” She broke off as he reached out to nudge away a lock of hair that had blown across her face.

Vaguely, his rough fingers registered how soft and silky smooth the blond strands were, but his brain was hyper-focused on her lips as she licked them. “The truth?” he finished for her, wondering what supreme lack of judgment had driven him to touch her. Getting that familiar with Marlie was a bad idea, because again, his relationships never went anywhere. Except down in flames. “She doesn’t have a license to sell pot. I made it clear if she lied, I’d sic the tax boys on her.” Through the tinted rear window, he could just make out Noah scooting closer to Blue. “How’s he doing?”

“A little scared, but he’s okay.”

At least he was safe. If only his next best lead in the case hadn’t slipped through his fingers. “I’ve got some things to check up on. I’ll take you and Noah home.”

“Okay.” She started rounding the hood. “I have to take him shopping for school supplies, anyway.”

“Not today.” He deposited the bin in the back of the Yukon, then got in, noting the sour look on Marlie’s face.

“Why not today?” she shot back after getting in next to him. “He starts school on Tuesday. He barely has any clothes to wear. There’s no time to order anything online, and I know he doesn’t want to wear any of my clothes.”

From the back seat, Noah snorted. “You got that right.”

Evan leaned over the center console until his face was only inches from hers. Sunlight made the flecks in her eyes glitter like gold. “I want you to wait until tomorrow.” The guy in the red shirt had looked in their direction. Briefly, yes, but he could swear it was a fraction longer than could be considered casual. “I’ll go with you. I can’t today.” He had a meeting at his office, and he wanted Sammy to put a rush on requesting footage from the city cameras.

Her nostrils flared a fraction before she sat back in the seat. “Fine. Does ten o’clock work for you?”

“Yes.” That would give him plenty of time to get to his parents’ house in the afternoon.

“Are you guys fighting?” Noah’s face appeared between the headrests. A second later, Blue’s furry face joined him.

Marlie sighed. “No. We’re not fighting. We’re just working out your schedule.”

“Oo-kay.” Noah sat back. In the rearview mirror, his lips twisted with worry, and the frown lines on his forehead deepened. He’d been spooked today and needed something to get his mind off things.

Evan started the engine and headed from the lot onto South Colorado Boulevard, checking the mirrors every few seconds for a tail. Up ahead, he spotted a Cones and Cups, one with a drive-thru window. They still hadn’t eaten lunch, and turkey sandwiches weren’t exactly feel-good food.

After one more check in the mirrors, he hung a quick right into the ice cream shop parking lot and drove up to the order box. “It’s time for lunch. What flavor do you want?” he asked Noah.

“Chocolate!” Noah’s worried face split into a grin but fell slightly as he looked at Marlie. “Is it okay if we have ice cream for lunch? Please?”

She let her head fall back, closing her eyes and uttering a low groan. “All right. But just this once,” she tacked on quickly, aiming an admonishing finger at Evan.

“And you, ma’am?” he asked, unable to keep from grinning. Even she knew Noah needed a little cheering up. “What’s your flavor?”

“Butter pecan. In a sugar cone.”

A muffled voice came from the box. “Welcome to Cones and Cups. Can I take your order?”

“Four sugar cones. Two butter pecan, one chocolate, and one vanilla.” He tugged out his wallet and pulled up to the window.

“Why did you get four cones?” Noah rested his chin on the back of Evan’s seat. “There are only three of us.”

Blue snorted.

“Are you sure? Who’s sitting right next to you?”

Noah looked at Blue. “Oh. Yeah. Sorry, Blue.”