Page 46

With a heavy breath, I drag a hand down my jaw. I consider his offer.

Before I can say anything, Warren leans down low beside me. “No, leave her be.”

I nod, seconding his decision.

I don’t trust Delilah, but I also won’t invade her privacy.

I reach into my back pocket and slide Langford a wad of cash. “You have anything for me on my parents’ case?”

With his less-than-legal access to agents in the FBI, I use Langford as another way to glean information on my parents’ case. But any leads have been achingly slow. It’s been eighteen years of dead ends. None of Langford’s high connections matter, not when we can’t get into the one place we need: the Tempest Police Department.

“Kid,” Langford says, and I’m hit by a memory of him dropping by our house with saltwater taffy for all of us boys. “I’m gonna be honest. The well is dry when it comes to your parents.” His palm covers the cash, but he doesn’t take it. “I’m afraid I can’t go any further.”

Fuck.

Restless energy thrums beneath my skin. “We need someone on the inside,” I complain to Warren, to Langford. “This on the fringes shit isn’t working.”

“You turn Deputy Craddock, and I’ll be impressed.” Langford swallows his whiskey. “In fact, he’s parked up the street right now waiting to catch any overimbibers leaving your distillery.”

“Christ,” mutters Warren. He slices a hand across his throat to Delilah, who’s approaching the bar. “Stop serving anyone who’s had more than a flight.”

I rub my brow. Deputy Wayne Craddock will always be a pain in our asses. Anything he can do to fuck with our business is fair game.

“Is everything okay?” she asks with wide, questioning eyes.

“Just do it,” I snap back, not wanting her involved.

She narrows her gaze at me. “Again with the manners, cowboy.” Then she motors away.

“Don’t worry.” Langford shoves up from the stool, leaving behind the cash. “I have a police scanner, and it looks like there’s about to be a 459 in progress on Main Street.” His bulbous nose is red from whiskey. “I’ll run him off for you.”

I watch him go with a chuckle. After Langford was ousted from the police department for “interference” and Craddock took over our parents’ case, there’s no love lost between the two men.

“Hey, Ez.” Warren jerks his head at Ezra, who’s shouldered his way into the tasting room.

I cross my arms and shake my head. “It’s either whiskey or a woman that’s got your ugly face looking like that.”

“It’s the launch party.” Strain shows on Ezra’s face. “If I can just get a goddamn spare second, I can order everything we need.” He pulls out his phone to type out a list but is instead interrupted by a frantic succession of pings. “We need to book a band, order more glasses, put out a press release—”

“I can do it,” a soft voice says.

Heads swivel.

Delilah stands there, one hand propped on the curve of her hip. “I can take it on.” A swallow jogs her throat; she looks uncertain now. “If you want.”

“No,” I say, bristling at the thought.

A snort of a laugh comes from Warren.

“I wasn’t asking you, cowboy.” Delilah rolls her eyes.

“Are you sure?” Ezra taps his fingers on the bar top. “It’s a lot.”

Uncertainty streaks across Delilah’s face. But just as quickly as it appeared, it’s gone. She straightens her shoulders and gives a curt nod. “I like a challenge.”

Ezra gives her a grateful nod. “You’re a lifesaver, Del.”

I don’t much care for the nickname or the way Delilah’s pretty face lights up in a smile.