Page 80 of Shadow Sabotage
“We all need pretty things for special occasions,” Serena chided. “You should treat yourself more. Especially with as much as they put you through up here.”
Andrea laughed. “You’re probably right about that. Now, I’m guessing you’re here to see the sheriff?”
As Serena smiled, a hint of a blush crept into her cheeks. “Yes. I was hoping to steal him away for a lunch date. Is he in? I tried calling him as I was driving over, but he didn’t answer. I haven’t been able to get a hold of him all day.”
Andrea nodded slowly. “He is. But he’s in a meeting right now, and he asked that I not interrupt him. If you want to wait, I’m sure they’ll be wrapped up soon.”
Serena’s smile became pinched. “Oh? Who is he meeting with?”
“Deputy Hawkins. A case update, you know.”
A look of displeasure flashed across Serena’s face. She quickly replaced it with a practiced smile. “Of course. Have they been back there long? Just wondering how long of a wait it might be.”
Interesting.Based on her body language and micro expressions, I’d have bet money that’s not what she was wondering at all. Sheriff McGrath’s wife appeared to be jealousof Claire. I had to wonder why.
I leaned back against my doorframe, glad that the building layout gave me a great view of the front desk while mostly blocking me from sight. Neither woman had noticed me, which meant I could watch them without making up some pretense as to why.
Andrea glanced at the clock on her desk. “Shouldn’t be too much longer. But you know how long-winded the sheriff can bewhen he gets going!” She was clearly trying to reassure his wife, but based on the look on Serena’s face, it hadn’t worked.
“Yes, I know,” Serena said with a strangled laugh.
Footsteps down the hall caught all of our attention. As she turned her head, Serena glanced at me, her eyes narrowing. But she quickly moved her gaze past me to whoever was walking my way.
I turned and saw Claire. When her eyes met mine, my heart squeezed.
She was back in uniform, her hair slicked back in a tight bun. Her face was pale, her eyes looked sad, and her shoulders were racked with tension.
No distractions,I tried to tell myself.
But something more primal inside me threatened to override it.
Keep her safe.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Claire
I felt deflatedas I walked down the hallway—then annoyed at the way my heart lifted when I saw Vance. The way he made me want to smile. The way I wanted to run into his arms and have him hold me again, like some pathetic weakling who couldn’t take care of herself.
I couldn’t get caught up like that. He would be leaving soon. I had to stay strong—for myself and for everyone around me. Even if my heart fluttered when he shot me a concerned look and tilted his head slightly, indicating that I should come into his office.
“Everything okay?” he murmured, surveying me as I followed him in and closed the door behind me.
Stay strong.“Everything’s fine.”
The look on his face told me he knew it was a bald-faced lie.
“We need to talk,” he said, keeping his voice low. He glanced at his watch. “Not here. Let’s get something to eat and regroup.You said Whiskey Creek is the best in town. Does that sound good to you, or is there somewhere else you’d like to go?”
“It’s my favorite.”
It felt bittersweet that he remembered. That he cared about my preferences. Why did I have to meet someone like him if I could only have one kiss? One searing, life-altering, mind-blowing kiss.
It wasn’t fair.
We were silent as we walked through the empty bullpen out the back door. But when we got into Vance’s SUV, he let out a long breath.
“There’s something you should know.” He quickly filled me in on the conversation he’d overheard Trey having in the storage closet.
