Still frowning. I actually think I like him better when he doesn’t look so smugly pleased. “I’d think twice about committing a felony of any kind. Did you happen to catch the news?” He whips out his phone. “They made an arrest in Barry Larson’s murder.”
I suck in a quick breath and snatch the phone from him. Scanning the article at the speed of light, I quickly glean the gist of it. “A transient, huh?” I expand the photo of the killer and get a good look at his grimy face. “Wait a minute. I recognize him. That’s Jarhead. He’s forever coming around digging through the trash cans. I can’t believe he’s capable of doing something like that. He didn’t seem dangerous at all. My God, I gave him a banana last spring. I fed a killer!” I shake my head at the thought before moaning. “It looks like Dirty Boy gets some justice after all. Well, I’m happy for him.”
“Dirty Boy?”
“Yeah, that was my nickname for Barry before he bit the big one. We had this little tussle and—”
“I know.” His dimples go off, just slightly, no smile, and something about witnessing the action makes my thighs jump in all the right places. “Bryson let me see the video footage.”
“I thought the police had the video footage?”
“They do, but he still has digital access to view it.” He takes off the jacket to his suit, and I can’t help but notice how alarmingly wide and solid his chest looks.
“Well then, the case is solved. How about I bring you a beer and watch you slurp it down in celebration? I’ll grab some fries for myself, and if you promise not to annoy me, I might even give you one.”
He leans in, a sly smiling creeping up his face just for me, and something about that bad boy look in his eyes makes me want to reach across the table and kiss him. I mean,reallykiss him. Like pull him in by the ears and make him do the things to me he did at that sleazy club. I’m still furious that Shep of all people was responsible for the best kisses of my entire life. I could have forgiven anyone of that kissing malfeasance, but not Shep. He can’t get two passes in one lifetime. And in truth, I never really gave him the first.
“I don’t think he did it. I looked him up. Jarrow Jarhead McDean has no history of violent behavior. He has no access to a firearm. And they didn’t find his prints anywhere at the scene.”
I can feel the hair prickling on the back of my neck. “Then what are they holding him on?”
“Suspicion. Questioning. My guess is he’ll be free to go by tonight.”
“That means the real killer is still on the loose—or if Jarhead somehow stumbled upon a gun and this was indeed a robbery gone wrong, then he’ll be the killer on the loose. I can’t believe someone might actually get away with murder, right here in Hollow Brook.” I clutch at my neck a moment as I study Shep. There’s an air of confidence about him that supersedes his usual obnoxious arrogance. “You know something else, don’t you?” I snatch him by the sleeve and pull him in. “Listen up, mister. If you’re holding evidence from me and I find out about it, I’ll make sure you’ll live to regret it. I was there, too, you know. And by the way, I still work at the scene of the crime!AndI happened to be in possession of—”
“That paper,” he moans. “Where is it, anyway?”
“In a safe place.” My bra drawer tucked in a corner next to the wedding ring my mother left behind before she took off for good. It’s my only prized possession, and don’t think for a minute I prize it because it belonged to that creature who bore me. It’s simply an insurance policy. Should the time ever come when I’m in a serious financial pinch, I plan on hocking it. “Why? You think it has something to do with it?”
“Yes, I think it very well might have something to do with it. I’m pretty sure those numbers mean something.”
“Definitely not a phone number. Although he was at a bar and I bet he frequented them often. Maybe some drunk girl gave it to him?”
“Or it’s the combination to a safe.”
My mouth falls open. “Or that. God, he could have had stacks of money in that safe or jewels orguns.”
“All of the above.” He gently frees his sleeve from my grip and gives my hand a quick tap in the process. “And you’re right. I do know something.”
“What?”
He glances at his phone and frowns. “I’ve got a student across town I need to see in five minutes, and then six others after that.” He stands, and I scramble up after him. “How about I pick you up tonight at seven?”
“For what?” That sweet spot between my thighs gives a little tingle. Down, girl. This is Shep. Not some hot masked man ready to make all your naughty dreams come true. Although, technically, he qualifies for the event.
“To conduct that liquor store heist.” He glides his jacket back on and gives a quick tug at the lapels. “And then, I’ll fill you in on the rest of Barry’s story. Stay tuned.”
“You’re a terrible tease.” I make a face just as a thought comes to me. “And hey”—I say, walking away—“I happen to know something, too.”
“About Barry?” He takes a few stalking steps toward me. “What is it?”
I offer up a flirtatious nod and bite down on my lower lip to keep from giggling. “Stay tuned, Shepherd Pie. Stay tuned.”
And that, my friend, is how you maintain the upper hand.
You keep ’em wanting more.
And a very salacious part of me is hoping Shep just might want more.
