Page 9 of Deadly Conflicts

3

Three

“Hello, love of my life.” James tilted his head down and pressed a kiss to Mandy’s upturned mouth as she joined him in downtown Mount Clemens several hours later. “Would you like a piece of my hot dog?” He extended a container with a half-eaten hot dog in Mandy’s direction and waggled his eyebrows.

“You’re kind of a pig,” Mandy said, shifting her gaze to the busy street. Summer in Southeastern Michigan has a lot of perks, but constant festivals was only one of them. Festival food – yes, even hot dogs – was another. “Seriously, though, what’s going on? I got your text, but I’m not sure I understood it.”

“Do you know Pixley Security out of Royal Oak?” James asked, biting into his hot dog as Mandy nodded. “Well, the boss was apparently sleeping with his secretary and his wife didn’t like it so she shot him. They were running security for this shindig, but the organizers panicked – for obvious reasons – and called us at the last second.”

“That sounds fun.”

“It’s a job,” James said. “I wasn’t expecting it, but that’s where we’re at.”

“Is the basement painted?” Ally asked, hovering near Mandy’s elbow.

“We finished the basement, lazy bones,” James replied, flicking Ally’s ear. “We were just about to sit down and relax when I got the call to come here. Festivals are easy gigs so I really didn’t want to pass it up. I am forever sorry, wife, because I know you bought naughty stuff for us to play with later.”

“We can still play,” Mandy said. “It will just be later than we planned. It’s okay.”

“Are you sure?” James’ face was unreadable as he focused on his wife. “I promised you an evening of loving in the hot tub.”

“We do that every weekend,” Mandy said. “Now you can give me an evening of loving at the crafts fair.”

James stilled. He wasn’t particularly fond of arts and crafts shows – or anything that didn’t revolve around carnival food at a festival, for that matter. “I … um … okay.”

“That looked painful,” Ally said, laughing. “I think the last place he wants to be is by the crafts.”

“That’s not true,” James protested. “I’ve been to tons of craft shows with Mandy.”

“Three,” Mandy corrected.

“That’s a ton, wife,” James said. “I’m a man. One is a ton.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Mandy said, patting his chest. “Don’t worry about it. I can look around on my own.”

“Or I can go with you,” Ally added.

Mandy bobbed her head. “That will be fun, too.”

“Are you sure?” James asked, unconvinced. “You don’t look sure.”

“It’s fine,” Mandy said, a bright smile on her face. James didn’t miss the fact that the expression didn’t make it all the way up to her eyes. “I’m happy going by myself. Don’t worry about it. I’m fine. I promise.”

“I’ll go with you once I see my Jakey-poo,” Ally offered, peering over her brother’s shoulder. “Do you know where he is?”

“He’s over by the midway,” James replied, his gaze on Mandy’s back as she trudged away. “What’s wrong with her?”

Ally shifted her attention in the direction James looked and shrugged. “Nothing is wrong with her. Why do you think something is wrong with her?”

“Because she’s sad.”

“She’s not sad,” Ally scoffed. “She was in a great mood when we were at the mall. You should see the kinky stuff she bought for you. You’re going to love it.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” James said, pursing his lips as he watched Mandy turn the corner that led in the direction of Market Street, which is where the craft show was set up. “Are you telling me she doesn’t seem sad to you?”

“You would know better,” Ally replied. “She’s your wife. She was in a great mood even after we got the text that you guys were working. My mood took a header, just FYI. She was thrilled, though. She said … oh.” Ally realized why Mandy’s mood shifted from happy to melancholy in the blink of an eye.

“Tell me,” James ordered.