Grady was back in the booth a few minutes later. Lucy had crayons and was coloring on a piece of paper that Dee must have provided. His coffee cup had been refilled too.
“What are you looking at?” Lauren asked as he opened the laptop. “Did you find anything useful last night?”
“I found a criminal record from two years ago on Archer Bloom for drug possession.” He shrugged. “Not sure that means he’s helping Nelson, but it’s possible.”
“Hard drugs?” Lauren asked with a frown.
“Yeah. Cocaine.” He eyed her over the top of the computer. “Did Nelson do drugs?”
“Not that I’m aware of.” She grimaced. “Although as it turned out, I didn’t know him as well as I thought I did.”
He nodded, then turned back to the computer. “I didn’t find any criminal records on his other frat brothers, not even an underage drinking ticket from their college days.”
“I guess that’s sort of good.” She stared down at her coffee cup for a long moment. “I keep thinking of that woman, Karla. Nelson could be charming when he wanted to be. The more I think about these attempts, the more I lean toward believing she’s involved.”
“Hopefully, we’ll hear more from Agent Braun soon.” If they didn’t, Grady had no doubt Lauren would follow through on her threat of contacting the governor and other political leaders of the state to get things moving. “My next plan is to check their social media sites to see if that gives us any clues as to what these guys are up to.”
“I’m sure they’re not so stupid as to post something like that,” she scoffed.
“Not a blatant post,” he agreed. “But there could be group photos of these guys hanging out together.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “Good point.”
He reached over to take her hand. “Lauren, we’re going to get to through this.”
“I know.” She squeezed his fingers. “Thank you, Grady.”
“Anytime.” This was the job she’d hired him to do. Yet he also knew that he was allowing Lauren and Lucy to get too close on a personal level.
He’d never forgive himself if he failed to protect them.
* * *
Lauren clungto Grady’s hand for a long moment. When Dee arrived with their meals, she had little choice but to release him. Flustered, she looked away, fearing her growing feelings for Grady were clearly etched on her features.
This was a temporary arrangement. Despite her request to pretend they were engaged, she knew her world and Grady’s would never mesh. Yet the more time she spent with him, the more she couldn’t help comparing him to her worthless ex-husband.
Any man would be better than Nelson. But she had no interest in dating any of the men in her social circle. Even those who had plenty of money of their own left her cold.
“Looks yummy.” Lucy lowered her head to swipe a dollop of whipped cream.
“Hold on, Lucy. We need to say grace.” She glanced over to where Grady was watching her daughter’s antics with amusement. “Grady?”
He nodded and bowed his head. “Dear Lord Jesus, we ask You to bless this food we are about to eat. We ask again that You please protect us from those who would do us harm. In Jesus’s name. Amen.”
“Amen,” she and Lucy echoed.
“I don’t understand why we pray,” Lucy said, then she licked another dollop of whipped cream. “We’re paying for the food, right?”
“Right.” She glanced helplessly at Grady. “We’re very fortunate to have money to pay for our meal. Not everyone does.”
Lucy scrunched up her forehead. “So if they pray, God gives them food?”
“I think the point is that we need to thank God for what we have.” She wasn’t an expert on faith. Jesus had fed the poor and hungry, but mentioning that may confuse the issue.
“Your mom is right; we are blessed to have money to pay for our meal. And we need to thank our Lord for keeping us safe.” Grady smiled at Lucy. “Look at how long we’ve been able to stay away from the bad guys. That’s partially because our Lord and Savior is always listening to our prayers.”
“But I don’t see God. Do you?” Lucy asked.
