Page 34 of Diamonds in the Mud

When we drove back to the house, Randy’s eyes teared up when he saw Edith. The hug that followed warmed my heart. In thirty years of marriage they’d been through the hell of losing a child, fighting cancer twice, and raising me. Yet they were still so strongly in love.

No wonder I struggled with relationships. Nothing I’d found so far had sticking power like what I’d grown up with.

“I feel good enough to make us dinner,” Edith said as we walked inside.

“Nope, not tonight. I’ve got some steaks on the grill. Tonight, I’m cooking.” Randy took my hand in his and mouthed, “Thank you.”

Having dinner with my parents was always a joy. I tended to leave more relaxed than when I’d arrived. One of the rules that Edith had was no shop talk at the dinner table.

I knew Randy itched to ask me how the case was going, and I wanted to ask him his opinions on a few things. But we stuck to lighthearted topics instead and talked about the county fall fair coming to town in a few months. We replayed some fun gossip going around town and talked about world events and news.

As Randy walked me out to my Jeep, only then did we touch on work.

I filled him in on a few key details, and he helped shed some light on what path to take next.

I turned to leave but stopped when something dawned on me.

“You’d have to be notified if any undercover agents were working on cases in your town, right?” I asked.

Randy’s expression didn’t change. “What do you mean?”

“Like, say, if a DEA agent was in town.” I watched his expression change ever so slightly. “You knew?” I asked.

“Knew what?” He shook his head.

“Jameson Lorenzo.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“How’d you find out?” Randy asked.

I smiled. “I’m thinking of dating him. Only…” I frowned. “It’s not such a great time for that.”

He nodded slowly. “I’d agree. The man has an impressive background. One that has to be kept between us, for now.”

“Why?” I narrowed my eyes slightly. “What is it you’re not telling me?”

He shrugged. “Let him do his job. You do yours.” He turned and started walking inside. “Night. See you at work tomorrow.”

“Night,” I called out.

Driving through town on a Saturday night, I knew all the hot spots that would be active. Mainly, around the bar areas.

There was a long row of bikes outside of Bayou Brews, and I almost drove past but slowed when I spotted both Jameson’s bike and Aria’s Mini.

Pulling into a parking spot, I debated going in for a full five minutes. I pulled out my phone and shot a text to Aria.

“What are you doing at the BBB?”

I didn’t have to wait long for an answer.

“Tobias and I are having a drink. Come on in and join us. Since it’s obvious you’re outside.”

What the hell? I thought as I climbed out of my Jeep.

Bayou Brews and Blues was a three-story classic brick building in the heart of the oldest part of town. Sometime when I was in high school, a couple purchased the building and refurbished it. After their hard work, they’d sold it to the current owner, Jackson Pennington, who had opened the blues-style bar. In all honesty, it was one of the nicest bars in town.

The fact that it was the place the Reapers hung out didn’t normally deter other guests. Every Friday and Saturday, the place hosted live jazz and blues music. They served basic bar foods upstairs in a small dining area. There were three pool tables, dart boards, and four large-screen televisions behind the bar that always played whatever sports games were currently on.

The moment I walked into the crowded bar I instantly wished I’d gone straight home. Normally, you would never find me in such a crowded place. It wasn’t that I hated people. Well, okay, I hated most people and tolerated some.