AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You knew?”
“I might be retired, but I still know people. And more importantly, people know me.”
Of course they did. Nadine was a fixture in town, always willing to lend a hand, always ready with a kind word or a kick in the ass, depending on the situation. She had been a beloved teacher for decades, and the town trusted her. Gossip this juicy would make its way to her before Mere could even think to pick up the phone.
“Will you help?”
“Did he do it?”
“No. And how do you know it’s a he?”
A mischievous grin lit her aunt’s face. “I didn’t.”
Mere could kick herself. Too late, and it’s not like Nadine wouldn’t get the whole story from her at some point, anyway.
“I can’t tell you anything yet.”
Her aunt patted her knee. “I trust you. Tell me when you can. In the meantime, I’ll get the old lady brigade to delay them as much as possible. Anything else I can do?”
“Can I borrow your car?”
Nadine raised an eyebrow. “You know where the keys are.”
Mere rose from the chair and kissed her aunt on the cheek. “You’re the bestest of the best, Auntie Nay.”
“You bet your ass. Be careful.”
“I will.”
Mere grabbed the keys from the drawer of the hall table, leaving her phone in their place. It was a small subterfuge, switching cars and ditching the phone, but it was worth a try. The street outside the duplex was quiet and dark. She slid into the midsize gold sedan and started it. Nadine only took it out a couple times a week for quick errands. She wasn’t ready to give up driving yet, and she was careful and took few risks.
The drive to Anders’s place was uneventful. Mere circled the block once more, just in case the agents had put a tail on her. There was no way her pitiful efforts would fool the highly trained special agents, but at the very least, she wouldn’t lead them straight to their quarry’s door.
She turned into the driveway without signaling, and killed the lights as soon as she was off the road. Mere parked the car and tromped up the front porch. Before she could knock, Anders opened the door, relief flooding his face.
“Hi,” she said.
A sexy, lazy smile curled up his lips. “Hi.”
“I want to help.”
He stood out of her way, closing the door behind her. Little sparks of desire coursed through her as she inched by, his presence electric. That wasn’t what she was here for. In fact, what had happened the other night couldn’t happen again. It would make it too hard to let him go.
“I have good news.” He led the way into the back room. More squares of drywall had joined their friends on the floor.
“What good news? Your landlord is going to have a cow at this mess.”
“I’ve eliminated this room as a hiding spot.”
That wasn’t good news. This room had been an excellent candidate for a hiding place. The fact old Mr. Reed hadn’t hidden at least one of the things Anders was searching for here was disappointing.
“I’m sorry, Anders.” She took his hand and could’ve sworn a low rumble rippled through his chest. He gently extricated his hand from hers.
“It means the pieces have to be hidden in the lean-to. I was going to wait until daylight, but with someone here to hold a lantern, we can go tonight.”
“Okay, but there’s no guarantee what you’re looking for will be there, either.”
He lifted his arm as though he fought the instinct to touch her. It hung motionless in the air for an instant before he lowered it again. His fingers tapped against his thigh, and Mere swallowed, remembering how gentle those fingers were against her skin.
