Page 78 of Hidden Hero

Pete grinned, and soon they parked outside of Jeffries Hardware. As they walked in, they observed a young woman talking to Mr. Jeffries. Both turned and smiled as the detectives walked to them.

After introductions, Mr. Jeffries said, “Cheryl has just told me what you want, and I can confirm that my camera is pointed in the direction of the bank. Now, it gets the vehicle of who drives up to the ATM, but you might not see the driver if the sun glares off the windshield.”

“We’ve got specific dates, and the times are all after dark,” Jeremy explained.

Mr. Jeffries nodded. “Then you should be good. Cheryl will show me how to send everything we have to you.”

It didn’t take long for Cheryl to send the video feed to Pete’s email address. Again with thanks and goodbyes, they headed back to the station.

“God, I feel like we’ve gone nonstop today.”

“Yeah, but you’ve got a pretty lady to meet with when you get home,” Pete said.

For the first time, Jeremy thought he heard a tinge of envy in Pete’s voice. “Speaking of pretty ladies, did you get a call off to Angie at the ESAAA?”

Pete was silent for a beat, then muttered, “Yes.”

“And…”

“And what?”

“What did she say?” Jeremy laughed.

Pete huffed. “She said that she’d already taken it upon herself to send out the warnings to her staff to be cognizant of the prescriptions of their clients and for them to talk to the clients about caring for their medications.”

“Oh.” Jeremy was not surprised at Angie’s competence, considering she appeared devoted to her job, but he had hoped for more. Looking at Pete, he noticed a slight tinge of blush on his cheeks.

“And… I know there’s more,” he pushed.

“You’re an asshole, you know?” Pete grumbled as they turned into the road leading to the station.

“Maybe, but I’m just concerned that my partner isn’t getting enough female attention.”

“Hell, you don’t need to be worried about me.”

“You’re hardly Mr. Life of the Party,” Jeremy joked. “Come on… what else did she say?”

“She wanted to know if I’d have dinner with her.”

Jeremy blinked, and his chin jerked back. “What? She asked you out?”

Pete parked, then twisted to look at Jeremy. “What’s so surprising about that?”

“Nothing, nothing. I’m just… well… good.” He put his hand on the door handle, then looked back. “You said yes, didn’t you?”

“Sort of,” Pete replied, then stepped out of the SUV and headed to the building.

Jeremy scrambled to catch up. “Sort of? What the fuck kind of answer is that? Either you said yes or you’re a dumb fuck for turning her down.”

“I didn’t turn her down, okay? But she caught me off guard. So I said I had to check my schedule.”

“Check your schedule?” Jeremy barked, barely noticing that others in the building were looking their way.

“Keep your voice down,” Pete groused, tossing a narrow-eyed glare over his shoulder.

Catching up to him when they arrived at their desks, Jeremy softened his voice. “So how did you end the conversation?”

Pete plopped down in his chair and shook his head. “I was surprised, okay? I’m not good with that.”

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