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As if he could hear her thoughts, the old man finally noticed Cora in the hall. He rose from his crouch near the bike and asked Finn, “That your woman?”
“She’s a friend.” Finn shifted to let Cora into the room. He seemed reluctant to do so, which made her wonder just how bad this Eli Shelton really was.
“Hi.” Cora’s smile felt like plastic, but she forced it, anyway. She stepped through the door, grateful for Finn’s warm presence at her back. He wasn’t joking when he said Eli Shelton did not take kindly to strangers. The old man gave her a shrewd once-over, assessing all her parts as if she were a bike he might want to purchase. Or dismantle. It was hard to tell.
He smirked at Finn. “A fine young filly.”
Cora bristled. Was this guy for real? “Not a filly. My name is Cora McLeod.”
His bushy white eyebrows shot up. “Sassy, too. You better lock that down, Jack.”
Cora sucked in an annoyed breath, but before she could respond, Finn took over. “Eli, I brought Cora here to meet you because she’d like to ask you a few questions.”
All humor vanished from Eli’s face. Now he looked deeply suspicious. “McLeod. I heard that name before.”
Cora braced herself and dove in. “I’m with the Providence Falls Police Department, and—”
“McLeod,”Eli interrupted. “You Hugh McLeod’s brat?”
“No, I’m his daughter.” She didn’t want to get on Eli’s bad side, but he made it so tempting. “My father was the police captain years ago. He’s retired now.”
“I remember him. Better than most, but still a pig.” Eli turned his head and spat. “Now he’s got his kid holding down the fort. What are you doing in my house, girl?”
This was her moment, so she had to make it count. “I’m investigating the murder of a young woman that took place on the night of July third.”
“And why should I care?”
“There’s a chance it may be connected to the recent robbery that happened at your compound.”
Eli’s face darkened like a thundercloud. “Who told you about that?”
Cora swallowed. “I’m not at liberty to say.”
Eli made a sound of disgust. Then he dismissed her, turning on Finn. “You bring this noise into my house, Jack? A cop. Poking around in club business. Of all the bull—”
“Eli, she’s here to help you,” Finn interrupted.
“I don’t need any help from the cops,” Eli boomed. “You should know that better than anyone. When’s the last time the local law enforcement went out of their way to help the Booze Dogs? I’ll tell you. Never. That’s how long it’s been.”
“Mr. Shelton,” Cora began.
He jerked his head. “Get out.”
“Someone robbed you of a lot of money,” Cora said. “Don’t you want to find who did it? One of your club members was dating a girl who showed up dead in the woods. Lindsey Albright.”
“The boy’s in the clear,” Eli growled. “He had nothing to do with it.”
“Yes, but what if Lindsey was somehow involved in that robbery? If there’s a slight chance her death and the theft are connected, we might be able to help each other by sharing information.”
Eli’s lip curled into a sneer. “Get her out of here, Jack. Now, or I’ll get one of the boys to haul her out.”
“Eli, you should talk to her,” Finn reasoned. “You might be able to help each other. Cora’s straight. When have I ever steered you wrong?”
Eli gave a stubborn shake of his head and turned his back on them.
“Come on, Prez,” Finn tried again. “What’s it going to take to give her just ten minutes of your time?”
Eli’s back straightened. He turned slowly to look at Finn, his expression calculating. It was a scary look coming from a man like him. “You want me to help your little girlfriend?”
