Page 88 of Shadow Sabotage
Leslie opened her mouth like she was going to say something else, but the bells that hung over the door jingled and the women instantly stopped talking. Two people wearing reporters’ badges settled at another table in the alcove, close enough to overhear anything said. The women exchanged glances and began eating their lunch in silence.
Ben switched the monitor back to normal and gave me a perplexed look. “What was that about? Does Serena actually think you’d hook up with the sheriff?”
“Apparently,” I said, gritting my teeth.
“That’s ridiculous,” he said, shaking his head. “Don’t let it bother you, Claire.”
“I’ll try. But listen, can you get me a copy of this?” I couldn’t prove it, but if the first affair Serena mentioned was with Katelyn, this conversation might be important. And because it had happened in a public place, we could use it as evidence.
“I think so,” he said. “The recordings stay in the cloud for twenty-four hours.”
“Great.” I scribbled down my email address on a piece of paper and tucked it into the pocket of his apron. “Shoot a copy to me as soon as you get a chance. And don’t mention this to anyone, okay?”
“Okay,” he said, giving me a weird look.
“Is there a back way out of here? I don’t want them to know I heard any of that.”
“Yeah.” He nodded and pointed toward a door tucked into the corner. “Leads to the alley.”
“Thanks, Ben.” I gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “See you at the wedding!”
Then I slipped out to find Vance.
We had a lot to talk about.
Chapter Thirty-One
Claire
Vance gaveme a funny look when I hopped into his SUV. “Why did you come from the alley?”
“Long story,” I said, buckling my seat belt. “I just overheard a very interesting conversation between those three women and I didn’t want them to know I heard it. Even better, it’s all on video. Ben, my friend in the back, is going to email me a copy.”
He backed out of the parking space onto the road. “What did you hear?”
I gave him a quick rundown of their conversation.
“Hmmm,” he said, mulling it over. “So Serena thinks you’re having an affair with Sheriff McGrath, and apparently, it’s not the first time.”
“Apparently not.” I let out a loud groan. “I feel sorry for her, but I’m also furious she would even think that. Regardless of what hemay have done in the past, I’m offended that anyone would thinkI’mcapable of screwing up some other woman’s marriage.”
He glanced over. “Goes against your code, huh?”
“Absolutely.” I shook my head. “I’m live-and-let-live about a lot of things, but not that. I guess I’m old-fashioned, but I think marriage is sacred.”
“We have that in common.”
“Really?”
“You sound surprised,” he said, frowning.
“Not exactly,” I mused. “But you did flirt with Leslie Evans, and she’s married.”
“I didn’t flirt. I was charming,” he corrected. “Charming serves me well in my profession. She interpreted it as flirting because that’s what she wanted to see. I knew it and allowed it. But I didn’t say anything to her that I wouldn’t have said in front of her husband. I would neveractuallyflirt with a married woman.”
“What if Leslie was single? Would you flirt with her then?”
“Maybe if I was single, too,” he admitted. “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t find her attractive in the least. But for the case? Sure.”
