Page 24

Two weeks later

When I return from town I find Clover in the forge working on her new jewelry project. She’s been creating wire wrapped crystals for pendants and earrings. She definitely has an eye for enhancing the stone’s appearance with delicate wire wrappings.

Part of my errand in town was to deliver a few pendants to be put on sale at the crystal shop and to pick up a package of special wires for her work. I wait until she sets down her tools then kiss the back of her neck. “I’ve got news you’re going to find interesting.”

She stretches and I toss the wires to the counter then gently rub her shoulders. Her posture while she works needs improvement although I would miss the excuse to touch her.

“What’s up?”

“Federal agents arrested Pete.”

Her eyes go wide and she smiles. “Arrested? Good. For what?”

“Now that is something the rumor mill hasn’t settled on yet. Leading contender is drugs. Although there’s been talk of human trafficking or something to do with stolen technology. Possibly mob related. There was a micro drive hidden in the seam of that jacket that contained contacts, payments, information that was used to charge a number of people.”

“I got out of there just in time. Oh my stars, I had that information on me? No wonder he was so angry. And that’s probably why he had a gun, too.”

“I’m glad that’s over.”

“Should be, although I guess the feds have his house locked down while they look for more evidence.”

“I suppose eventually they’re going to want to talk to me.”

I watch her closely as I answer. “Probably. I’ll do what I can to make it easier.”

She gives me a smile. “Thanks. It’s strange, but I’m not worried. I had no clue. I will take some comforting though, after any interview.” She waggles her eyebrows.

“Darlin’ that’s a promise.”

“So anything else⁠—”

The damn sat phone rings. I’m about ready to disconnect the thing and rely on the spotty cell service. Clover points. “Answer that.”

“You just can’t listen to a phone ring and let it go, can you?”

“One of my idiosyncrasies.”

I activate the phone. “Hello?”

At the reply, I close my eyes. I don’t need this now. “No, Andreyah. I haven’t changed my mind.”

Clover waves at me and mouths ‘speaker’. Wondering what she’s up to, I touch the speaker button and my ex’s sharp voice fills the forge.

Moving to my side, Clover interrupts Andreyah’s sales pitch. “Why hello, Andreyah. Nice to hear from you again.”

“Who’s that? Knight, who’s that?”

Clover holds up a finger to keep me silent. With a wave at the phone I encourage her to continue.

“Oh, you don’t remember me? I’m the so called bitch you talked to a couple weeks ago.”

“You’re still there? Put Knight back on the phone.”

“I’m here. You’re on speaker.”

“Wait, what? Knight, this is a private call. Your side piece doesn’t need to be involved.”

Clover leans closer to the phone. “Side piece? I’ll have you know, An-dre-yah, that I’m his fiancé.”