She handed him the folder of information.
“I just happened to come across some of your notes on Bailey Joe’s death, and you know I went to his house to talk to him a couple of days ago. I was going to ask him about the revitalization plan, but he never answered. He may have been dead even then. I saw you don’t know his cause of death yet, but Santi, I have a feeling your Bailey Joe was murdered. And that the mayor may have had something to do with it.
“Bailey Joe may have had something in his documentation related to the program that could help me confirm that the mayor is fleecing the businesspeople of Shrouded Lake. Hire me as a forensic accountant so I can have more access to his records and maybe I can prove it. The balances aren’t adding up. But I need more.”
Santiago closed his eyes.
She held her breath, anticipating his anger and rejecting derision.
“If what you say is even remotely true, Anderson won’t approve any budget to bring in an auditor. The only reason I was able to bring on Sonny is because we lost Deputy Madden to retirement three months ago. I haven’t been able to find a qualified applicant since. Seems not many qualified outsiders want to live and work in a dying town.”
She sighed, hiding her relief. “Does it look like I need this town to pay me?”
“Not in the least.”
“Exactly. But you will, because this needs to be official. So for the one time deal of two hundred dollars, I am yours.”
“Two hundred an hour?” he frowned.
“Total. At the originally scheduled meeting I was going to grill the mayor and council on the development of the plan, talk about the weaknesses and inconsistencies I’d found, then discuss better ways to build revenue. You hire me and in the upcoming meeting I’ll provide a detailed report of the town’s finances. Where money is going, where revenue is coming from, a summary of the last seven years, plus a one-year and a five-year financial plan with projections.”
“Write up the contract,” Santiago said, standing. “I’ll have Audrey cut you a check today.”
He closed the distance between them. She took a step back. Then another.
“Why are you being menacing? I’m trying to help you.”
He reached out and placed his palm against her cheek, then her forehead.
Both her heart rate and breathing increased.
His hand followed a path to her throat which he gripped and pulled her toward him.
“How you feeling, little wren?” he asked; his lips brushing against her ear. “Your face feels flushed. Your pupils are dilated. Looks like you’re in respiratory distress.” His other hand cupped the weight of her breast, thumb grazing her nipple. “And look at this state of hyperarousal, looks like you’re coming down with something. Want me to hazard a guess as to what?”
He brushed his lips over hers, then kissed her slow, lazy, dirty.
She whimpered then groaned, fisting his hair as she pulled him closer, kissed him deeper, ready to crawl up his body, wrap her legs around his hips, and ride him into the sunset.
He pulled away, his laugh husky. Even that felt sensual right now.
“No doubt about it, you’re infected. But you know what they say, the disease is also the cure. Come back tonight and I’ll dose you right up.”
She steadied her breathing and stepped out of his hold.
Squaring her shoulders, she lifted her head high and held onto her bag as if it was her last defense against Santiago’s maddening touch.
“I’m going home now. I’ll return tonight with the contract and any documentation you might need for a background check.”
“I completed a background check on you within twenty-four hours of you being here.”
She was about to curse him the hell out because why would he run a background check on her and he hadn’t even arrested her?
“Why do I have a feeling there’s something you want to say to me?” he taunted.
“Because a life of war has honed your instincts?” she said sweetly. “It’s past time for you to go jump in a lake, Sheriff. See you this evening.”
He trailed her out the house, leaning against the railing at the top of the porch stairs and watching her walk home. For the first time in a long time, Santiago felt like life was looking up. And for the first time in a longer time, it was because of a woman. When she got close to her house, he saw his deputy approach her and walk beside her until she entered the house.
