Page 23 of Only You

Eileen had to agree with her. And that is the second time the guy’s name came up. They were definitely tracking that jerk down.

“But she was happy more recently, or at least she had started getting out there and dating. I encouraged her.”

“Yeah? Did she have a steady guy?”

Sandy nodded. “I never met him, but she said he was a good guy. Had a steady job, which I think was a problem with the last guy. She said that he was an upstanding citizen.”

Abusers often had issues with employment because of their aggression and temper. Not all, but a lot of them did, and Irene seemed to be an intelligent woman with a steady employment history. Another reason for an abuser like Brantley to get abusive—at least in his mind.

“Did she tell you his name?”

The other woman shook her head. “She did make a comment about bees. I don’t know what she meant.”

“If you think of anything, please call. Anything at all, even something small,” Eddie said. “We’ll let you get back to work.”

“Oh, we’re closing for the day.”

Eileen blinked. “Declan closed for the day?”

Sandy nodded and sniffed into her tissue. “He has everyone hanging out so you can talk to them, but he said there was a death in the family, so we would close down today and tomorrow.”

After she left them, Eddie whistled. “Your Declan definitely has his priorities straight. Tomorrow is no big deal, but closing today will lose him some money.”

Eileen ignored the ‘your’ comment. “And last night for his parents’ anniversary.”

“So, we got this Brantley guy showing up twice in the investigation. We definitely need to track that asshole down.”

“Yeah.”

There was a knock on the door before it opened. Declan nodded at them.

“I assume you need to talk to the rest of the staff. Do you want me to send them in, one by one?”

“That would be great. Thanks, Declan.”

He nodded and slipped out the door.

She stared at the spot where he’d stood, then shook herself. Eileen definitely needed some sleep.

When she looked at Eddie, he was smirking at her. Her face heated. God, she hated her fair skin. People could always tell when she was blushing.

“What?”

“You two ever going to go on a date?”

“Stop. You know I don’t date much.”

“Yeah. Maybe there’s a reason for that. I mean, heisyour Declan.”

“I never said that. You said that.”

“Guy watches everything you do.”

She sighed. “He doesn’t. And don’t make him sound like a stalker. He’s not.”

The stalker would more likely be her. She was the one who came into the bar more often than not. And yes, it was because she loved his Shepherd’s pie and also to see him. God, she was pathetic.

“Uh, Boss said you need to talk to us?”

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