“And you don’t think it’s at all odd?” My voice rises an octave to an unfortunate screech.
Finishing his beer, he thuds the bottle on the table. “No, I don’t.”
Heart racing and not giving a fuck how the whole bar stares, I poke at his chest. “Listen, just because you thought I wanted to sleep with you, don’t dismiss her fears.”
“You think I’m that shallow?” He pulls on his cap and gloves.
“If the foo shits.” I shoot daggers into his chocolate brown eyes which widen as his mouth drops open.
“My God. Are you still mad? After all this time? It was one night. Let it go.” He shouts so loud, every man and woman in the establishment holds their breath.
My family has to live in this town so I lower my voice. “What is your problem?”
“What’s yours?” He scoffs, walks toward the door and, I follow in his footsteps tapping on his back.
“I don’t have one. The reason I asked you here was to find some justice for my friend, if you’re man enough.” I jut out my chin, trying to look tough.
He snorts and I lose it. “Fine. I was doing you a professional courtesy. I belong to a group of investigators and we don’t need your help.”
“Hell no. Stay out of this, Danielle. She fell. No mystery. Accidents happen. This is real life, not one of your video games.”
“Yeah? Have you done any investigating? Huh? Did you even ask her husband where he was the night she died?”
“He has an alibi, if it’s any of your business.” He holds the door open for me with exaggerated politeness and waves an arm like he’s some kind of prince.
I don’t budge and will leave when I am good and ready. “You always were a presumptuous ass.”
“And you, my dear, are a cock tease.”
Eyes stinging, I reach for the nearest glass, and toss amber liquid into his face. Then, taking what’s left of my dignity, I stroll out the door under the gaze of about two dozen patrons. By morning, the whole town will know of our fight.
And this, ladies and gents, is why I prefer the virtual world to the real one.
Chapter 3
Cole
Dammit. What a cluster fuck.I can hear my boss’s lecture now. “Even though you’re off duty, you’re still in uniform and as such, represent the county of Addison and the state of Vermont.”Iwasprotecting our department. I was trying to save us from the likes of Ms. City-Slicker Smartass.
As Danielle drives away, my bar audience returns to their earlier conversations. Only Joe continues to frown my way, his movements short and angry. Along with the rest, he heard enough to condemn me and I’ll never hear the end of it.
All this grief for a quick roll in the hay. What was I thinking? It wasshewho whispered inmyear at the wake, not the other way around. Hell, right now, I don’t even like her.
Want to get out of here?How could she not have noticed the bulge under my fly? Hell, she stared at my lips all night, her eyes black with want. Shit, shit, shit. How had I misinterpreted the situation so badly? Climbing into my truck, I slam the door, and curse myself all the way home.
“It’s her. She’s always had this effect on me.” In my driveway, I finish my temper tantrum and stroll inside.
“Toby? Here boy.” Toenails click and my best friend glances up at the door handle with his tongue hanging out.
“You want to go for a walk, huh, huh?”
“Woof, woof.” His short tail slaps the floorboards and his body quivers.
“Good boy.” I slap my knees, he licks my face, and I snap on his leash.
While he circles around the yard, I explain my day. “So, you won’t believe who I saw at Stacy’s wake.”
An ear twitches, his version ofpray continue.
