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“Two fingers of whiskey. Neat.” I told myself it was medicinal.
Her mouth twisted to the side as she reached for a glass. “Goin’ straight for it. I respect that.”
“It’s been a shit day, so no judgment,” I said, exhaustion in my voice. “I want a burger and fries too.”
“No judgment unless you plan on gulpin’ it down and heading out the door.”
I lifted a brow. “Is your boss here?”
She grinned as she poured whiskey into the glass. “Do you see him anywhere? He hasn’t shown his face since that body showed up this morning.”
I picked up the glass and took a long sip. “What’s your gut on Malcolm?”
She turned sideways and leaned a hip against the counter behind the bar. “Depends on why you’re askin’.”
Glancing down at the amber liquid, I realized how stupid I was to think she’d be anything but loyal. “Never mind.” I took another sip.
She started to walk away then came back, leaning over the bar. “I’m not sure what you’re lookin’ for, but he’s a damn good boss. He’s a hard-ass, but when he gives his word, he doesn’t take it back.” She held my gaze. “That means something when you’re surrounded by people who lie through their teeth. You know what I mean?”
I gripped the glass with my fingertips. “So an honorable thief?”
She made a face. “I don’t know shit about who he used to be before he came here, but he’s been more than fair to me. He gave me a chance when no one else would. So call him a thief if you want, but you’re never gonna change my opinion of him.”
She walked away, annoyance on her face. I knew I’d pushed too hard, but then again, getting answers from people who didn’t want to give them meant pushing hard, tricking them into giving up their secrets. How ironic that James Malcolm sounded more honorable than I felt.
An image of Stevens’s bloody face popped into my head. There’d been no self-serving motivation for Malcolm to beat the shit out of him. He hadn’t done it for me. I could only guess he’d done it because he found Stevens revolting.
Who was this man who I’d pegged to be a low-life manipulator? Then again, you didn’t become the head of a crime syndicate by being a nice guy, and you didn’t easily leave that life behind. James Malcolm might treat his employees well, but that didn’t mean I was ready to accept him at face value.
I finished off my drink, wondering why Drew hadn’t shown up yet. Then again, I’d been on my way. It was late enough that he was probably in for the night. Still, I was keyed up. There was more to Andi’s murder than anyone had suspected. Someone had helped John Michael Stevens, and that someone was killing and kidnapping innocent people to get to me.
Guilt and panic washed through my veins.
Misti placed the basket of food in front of me and I tapped the side of my empty glass. Malcolm’s admonition not to get drunk rang through my head, but I wasn’t some lightweight. I could hold my liquor. I needed it to settle my nerves so I could think straight.
She filled it with two fingers, then studied me. “What’s your interest in my boss?”
“No interest,” I said with a deprecating laugh. “Just curious.”
“Guess you have to be curious to be a police detective,” she said. “Gotta ask lots of questions.”
I quirked a brow, relishing the way the warmth of the alcohol made my muscles relax and spread a hazy calmness throughout my head. “True.”
“You know what they say about cats and curiosity,” a voice to my right said, and I turned to see Drew perching on the stool next to me. He was wearing a T-shirt, jeans, and a brown jacket. Dark circles underscored his eyes.
“I hear it never goes well,” I said, “but I’ve still got a few lives left. I thought maybe you weren’t coming.”
“I’m here,” he said, with a scowl, then shot Misti a dark look. “I’ll take a beer.”
Misti gave Drew the side-eye, then walked down to the end of the bar to fill a mug, not even bothering to ask him which kind.
“You’re pretty surly for someone who readily agreed to meet with me,” I said as I picked up a fry and stuffed it in my mouth.
“Rumor has it you’re stirrin’ up shit with the police chief.”
So he’d heard about my visit to Larson. “News travels fast around here.”
“The chief has nosy neighbors,” he said unapologetically.
