“So then who gets it?”
“I’ll assign it,” Ford said. “But for now, let’s just wait until Rory talks to me. I can’t do it because of our conversation.”
“But you want to,” she said, grinning. “You know it. It’s under your skin as much as it is mine.”
“It’s hard for it not to be. And I don’t see any statements here from Austin.”
Her shoulders dropped. “Anyone else?”
“There are several, but none from him. I doubt he’s making it up, but he could be confusing who he talked to.”
“I don’t like this,” she said. “Think about it. The whole thing was jacked up with Cooper and no one checking his alibi even when he said he had one. They didn’t interview enough people. This isn’t just rushed or sloppy, it’s like something was being hidden.”
“That’s a big accusation,” Ford said. “Be careful what you say and you know it.”
“It’s no representation of you,” she said. “You weren’t here. You were a kid yourself. Is anyone still around that was working the case back then?”
“Gale.” She knew that tone. He was warning her not to push, but she didn’t care.
“I get it. You’re the by-the-book guy. Sometimes I wish you were more like Clay.”
“Hey,” Ford said. “Don’t insult me.”
“Sorry. But in this instance, I wish it were the case. There is already talk that Rory is here.”
“What kind of talk? I’ve heard nothing.”
“I stopped to get dinner for us the other night and it came up in conversation. Like purposeful gossip hoping I’d reply.”
“Which means it’s getting around you’re talking with Rory. Gale, you need to watch your back.”
“All the more reason to do this, Ford. Don’t be that way. My job is always going to put me in the frontline of criminals. I’m not helpless.”
“You still have that gun in your purse, right?”
“I do. Except when I go into the courthouse. Then it’s in my car, because you know, I won’t be able to get through.”
She loved that her brothers worried about her, but she wasn’t going to live her life afraid of dark shadows in corners.
She had a job to do just as he did.
“Good girl.”
“Now, now, don’t be that way. You’re only going to get my back up.”
“I’m not trying to. But keep out of trouble and this conversation between us is private.”
“I can’t even tell Rory?”
“What’s going on with you two?”
“I’m helping him.”
“There is more. You’re nosy and helpful, even have more curiosity than is good for you, but you don’t have a lot of time on your hands to volunteer for these things.”
“I don’t know. I feel for him.”
“What do you feel?”
