He grinned as he stood, sliding his chair back in. “You got that right.”
“The center. The most important thing.”
“Utmost important,” he said proudly then cringed.
“Just like the bank heists having a center, right here in Willow Lake.”
He glared at me and shook his head, which was confirmation enough that I was on the right track.
“I am not saying another word,” Stone said.
“You don’t have to. I got what I wanted.”
“Damn it, Pepper, stay out of this one or you might wind up with more bruises than you can handle.”
“I didn’t know you cared so much,” I teased.
He stepped closer. “I do… as a friend. So, I repeat, stay out of this. You don’t want to mess with bank robbers. It won’t end well.”
He walked off and his warning made me wonder if he had found out the bank robbers were a dangerous crew and that’s why he cautioned me. Then his first words hit me.
I do… as a friend.
He hesitated before adding friend.
I shook my head, imagining something that wasn’t there. Besides, I had more important matters to think about. My little word game worked. Stone had confirmed they were looking at geographic and ownership patterns, which meantthey had found the center. Willow Lake. Just like Sherman had discovered.
Which also meant I was, in fact, on a roll. The thought energized me.
I started the truck and drove out of town to the police station before I could talk myself out of it. If there was ever a day my dad might be inclined to soften, it was the day his daughter looked like she’d gone a few rounds in a boxing ring.
CHAPTER 23
The front desk deputy glanced up and smiled. “Nice shiner.”
“You should see the other guy,” I joked.
“I bet you gave that rug a good beating.” He laughed.
I was never going to live this down.
Just then, my dad stepped out in the hallway that led to the offices and spotted me.
“Pepper.”
“You got a minute?” I asked sweetly.
“Always for you,” he said and pointed to his office.
I made myself comfortable in one of the two chairs in front of his desk while he leaned casually against it.
“What do you want?” he asked, cautiously.
“I’ve been thinking about the bank robberies.”
“Of course you have.”
“I didn’t come here to squeeze confidential information out of you.”
