Page 67 of Fallen Creed

“You’re not making this any better.”

“I said injured, not dead. And he could be hiding somewhere.”

“What about Nora Spencer? Maybe there’s more she’s not telling us.”

“Look, O’Dell, I know you’ve got a problem with the woman, but—”

“She lied about the baby. She even lied to her husband. You don’t think she knows more than she’s told us?”

“Not everyone has evil intentions. I think she tried to do a good thing, and got in over her head.”

“You believe that?” Maggie asked.

“Yes, I have quite a few years under my belt dealing with liars and criminals. You’re not the only one, O’Dell, who has experience in profiling scumbags.”

She sat back, kept her hands on the table, folding her paper napkin into an accordion. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“If you’re not satisfied with what Nora’s told us, call her up. Go talk to her again.” He scrubbed a hand over his jaw as if weighing what he wanted to say next. “Look, I know it’s tough when you’re personally involved in a case. I understand. I get that. How long have you and Ryder been together?”

Her eyes swung up to meet his, and the flush started at the back of her neck.

“Is it that obvious?” she asked.

He granted her a smile, then added, “What’s not obvious is why you're hell-bent on hiding it?”

—53—

By the time the trailer door opened, Creed was sitting at the table. Grace sat on the bench between him and the wall, protected by his body. He had prepared coffee. Three mugs.

The shock on Libby’s face was worth the pain and effort.

“Ariel’s right behind me,” she said a bit too quickly. “She still has the gun.”

“Coffee?” he asked. “I made it this time without any drugs.”

“Look, as soon as the snow lets up, I’m out of here and you can go back to your nice world with your little dog.”

She whipped off her stocking cap. The static electricity left her short hair sticking straight up. She heel-toed off her boots, letting them fall by the door. That’s when she noticed Creed’s boots already there, still dripping with clumps of snow.

He sipped coffee and watched as she realized he’d already been outside. Not only had he been outside but he’d decided to come back. Was she wondering how she missed his footprints in the snow? He’d taken Grace out and boot-swept an area for her to do her business.

She processed all this without changing her expression as she hung her coat next to Creed’s on the far wall. Was she really going to pretend they were just two people waiting out the storm? Was she going to pretend she and her friend hadn’t stabbed him, slipped him some drugs, then shoved him in the corner with his hands zip-tied?

He glanced out the window and noticed Libby didn’t. In fact, it didn’t look like she was waiting or watching for Ariel. Maybe he had a few minutes to divide and conquer.

“Which one of you kicked, Grace?”

“What?” She feigned surprise. Finally, something she was bad at.

“If either of you do it again, I will hurt you.”

“Yeah right, Mr. tough guy.” But when her eyes met his, the smirk slid off her face. She had to look away. “You’re awfully protective of a stupid little dog.”

“This little dog was smart enough to find your baby’s grave.”

Now came the genuine surprise, but it arrived with a tinge of anger. “What are you talking about?”

“I asked her to find you, and she took a detour behind the barn.”