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“Meaning what? They’re small town, not stupid.”
“It is a clever set up,” he allowed. “But I thought you knew everyone on that payroll.”
“Just because I’m a deputy’s sister?”
“That and because Sheriff Cochran seems inclined to recruit you to his department.”
“Sheriff Cochran isn’t connected to this.”
“That isn’t—”
“I’m not interested in a career in law enforcement.”
“Could have fooled me.”
She bit back the sharp retort, tired of having the same battle. Being good at something didn’t mean you had to go do that something. “Whatever you think you know from looking at that data, the sheriff isn’t the problem. Let’s get that much clear right now.”
“Relax,” he said, holding up one hand in surrender. “You brought this case to me.”
“I know.” And corruption or not, she was regretting it. She hadn’t expected him to drag her in, to hold her hand while they drove out of Haleswood in a fast car. She hadn’t expected to spend any time at all with him, to like his crisp cologne and perfectly knotted tie. He was supposed to believe her, to fix the problem and restore order to her normal, boring life. “But someone with serious clout is greasing the wheels for these fight locations.”
She was trying to be patient, but this wasn’t going at all like she thought it should. She’d wanted him to act. On the case. He wasn’t supposed to concoct some bizarre hoax that they were dating just so there was a Haleswood-approved reason for them to be seen together.
“Following that logic, you’ve narrowed the suspect pool.”
“I know.”
“And ruling out the sheriff and your brothe—”
“Wait, you automatically ruled them both out?”
“Yes.” His voice was strung tight as a wire across that single syllable and she thought he was clenching his jaw.
“Why?”
“If you’d let me finish…”
She mimed locking her lips when he paused to glare at her from the corner of his eye.
“You were born and raised in Haleswood, but oddly enough, you’re not blind to the faults of your family and neighbors.”
“Gee thanks.”
“It is a compliment. Most people, especially in a small town, assume the best about people they love and the worst about everyone else. You provided solid data that cleared them.”
“You checked alibis?” Oh, Lord, how that could backfire. “I expected you to be discreet.”
“And here I was under the impression you expected me to act,” he said, his diction too precise. “Don’t worry, I didn’t ask questions with any obvious intent. I know how to have a conversation.”
“Well, there’s good news.”
“Here’s hoping you do too.”
Columbia shimmered on the horizon and suddenly her stomach was home to a thousand daredevil butterflies. “I’m a waitress. I can talk about anything.”
She didn’t like the skeptical look he aimed at her as he waited for a traffic light to change on Assembly Street. “How far can you walk in those boots?”
“Miles. All the way home, if necessary.”
