“Yes, but nothing good.” I made my way over from the living room. I could get around well enough, though my left arm would still be in a sling for another month as my collarbone healed.
“Phelan is untouchable, it seems,” I said. “We have no way to prove he was involved.”
“If he was.”
“Right. If he was. But it’s been three weeks, and there are no other suspects. No leads.”
“These things take time.”
“Yes, Agent Somerton,” I snarked. “I’m aware.”
Smirking, Brynn set a takeout container in front of me when I reached the dining table. “I brought enchiladas.”
“I take back my grumpiness. You’re the best.” I grabbed a plastic fork and dug in, while Brynn slid into the chair across from me.
“I live with Cole Bailey, practically the king of grumps. You’d have to get a whole lot more ornery to bother me.”
With a smile, I took a bite of my lunch, which was smothered in pork green chili. Brynn really was an amazing friend. She listened to me complain and joked around and didn’t look sad when she saw me wince in pain.
Driving was a no-go for me, so Brynn had been acting as my chauffeur whenever Mom couldn’t do it. Twice a week, Brynn took me to Hart County General for my physical therapy appointments. The therapist had me doing range-of-motion exercises that made me want to cry, but I pushed through.
I also couldn’t lift anything, even with the arm that wasn’t in a sling, or reach overhead or behind my back. Certainly no carrying groceries or laundry baskets.
Once a week, I also met with a psychologist. Before I could go back on duty after I healed, she’d have to clear me as mentally fit.
No problem at all, right?
“Need to run any errands?” Brynn stuck her fork into her enchilada.
“Nowhere to go today,” I said dully.
“Want to start a movie marathon this afternoon? The Fast and Furious franchise?” Brynn was an action-movie girl, like me, and we were all about the classics.
“I’ve already watched every thriller movie starring Jason Statham over the last week.” One of my late-night standbys, since my sleep patterns had been a mess.
“We can skip the ones Statham was in.”
“But I can’t watch the Fast movies without the full experience of the narrative arc. That’s just wrong.”
She snickered. “You’re being very difficult.”
“I know. Thanks for putting up with me.”
“Please. Like that’s a hardship.”
I poked at the last of my enchiladas. Something else had been on my mind almost constantly lately, and it wasn’t old action flicks.
“Um, B?” I asked. “Have you heard if Dean is still in town?”
Just saying his name aloud made my heart skip. I’d been replaying everything I said to him at the hospital. His lack of reaction. But he’d come all the way back to Hart County for me, and my foolish heart really wanted that to mean something.
Brynn set down her fork. Grabbed a paper napkin to dab her mouth. I knew what buying time looked like.
“I think so. People have been talking about him making appearances on Hartley’s Main Street. Apparently, he bought a used pickup from someone a couple weeks ago. Which suggests he plans to stay here awhile. There are rumblings he’s staying someplace outside of town.”
My head shot up. “So, not a hotel? Is he with Owen and Gen?”
“Not as far as I know. River mentioned he’s been in touch with Dean, and that it has something to do with you. But that’s about it.”
