Page 37 of Shadow Sabotage
“That’s true,” I admitted. Her childhood had been the opposite of mine in many ways. It was no wonder we had different ways of handling things.
Maybe that could be a strength for our partnership instead of a weakness.
“Anyway,” she said, steering the conversation back to Tony. “I never heard about any trouble after that. But when Elsa said what she said…”
“I get it.”
“So,” she said, her voice going small again. “Am I off the case?”
I looked again at that list I’d made for her. Then I shook my head, crumpled up the paper, and threw it into the garbage.
I had a feeling I was going to regret this.
“Why did you become a deputy?” I asked.
She lifted her head, looking like a deer caught in the headlights. “What—”
“If you’re going to be my partner, I want to know why you’re working this job. The ranch could easily employ you full-time. You’re clearly happier there than here. So, what is it? Did your mom make a vow to God that one of her children would serve in law enforcement or what?”
She stared at me for a beat, then sighed. “I wanted to help people. It’s as simple as that. Sorry if that answer isn’t good enough for you.”
On the contrary. It was the best answer there was.
“Alright,” I finally said. “I told you, partners have to be honest with each other.”
“I am being honest,” she protested, throwing her hands up in irritation.
“But I wasn’t,” I admitted. “Here’s the truth. I was going to keep you tied up with busywork so I could work the case alone—even before that little stunt you pulled today.”
Her nostrils flared and fury blazed in her eyes. But then her expression changed. The storm passed, blowing out as quickly as a summer squall, leaving those green eyes sparkling like the sea.
She laughed. It started quietly but took hold of her until her shoulders shook.
I leaned forward, propping my elbows on the desk. “What exactly is so funny?”
She wiped the tears from her eyes and grinned. “The fact that you thought you could.”
I just raised a brow.
She scooted forward in her seat, holding up a hand with her fingers splayed out. “Listen, I have five brothers.Five.You think I haven’t seen this game before? I mastered it before I turned eight.”
“I bet you did,” I murmured.
“You told me not to make you curious. Well, the same goes for me. You try to cut me out of something and it’s a flat-out guarantee I’m going to be right in the middle of it. That list you had typed up over there?” She nodded toward the wastebasket where I’d tossed it. “All it would have done is make me determined to pester you to death. You were right in the parking lot. The only way to stop me would have been to take my badge.”
I shook my head, unable to stop my grin. “Nah. Even that wouldn’t have stopped you. You would have become one of those amateur sleuths just to piss off Collins. Probably would have solved the case before we could out of pure spite.”
She threw her head back and laughed again. Like music.
Like Mozart.
I was as entranced as I had been furious earlier. “You’re an interesting woman, Claire Hawkins.”
“Damn right I am.” She grinned. “Now, what are we doing first?”
“Come on,” I said, grabbing my keys as I stood. “I’ll fill you in on the way.”
Chapter Thirteen
