Page 41 of Mine to Hold
Emmerson laughed. “Let’s remember why Edwina wanted me to leave.”
“Okay. I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, but what did Edwina do and why would she want you to stop being a cop? I only ask because I know what Tessa did. I get her reasons. She wanted you in a nine-to-five position. And honestly, I’m not liking her much because what she said to me was a see you next Tuesday move.”
“That’s a nice way to call her what we all think of her,” Lucy Ann said. “And, Emmerson, you might as well tell Rumor because it will be on the news tonight. Your mom can’t contain this shit show.”
“I know.” Emmerson nodded. “But not on an empty stomach. I’ve had a shit day.”
“Take all the time you need, Mr. Saucy.” Rumor smiled.
Lucy Ann arched a brow. “That needs some explaining.”
“No. It does not.” Emmerson took a massive bite of his burger.
“Well now. I think I have my answer.” Lucy Ann disappeared back into the kitchen.
“Sorry. I was just trying to lighten the mood. It just came out.”
Emmerson caught her gaze. “I don’t care. But you might because my mother is coming to my house in a couple of hours to have a conversation with us both.”
Rumor glared. “Why would she do that?”
“Because I had to tell her that I was with you all night.”
“Jesus, why would you do that?”
“She got an anonymous tip from someone saying they saw you and Edwina fighting at one in the morning at Lucky’s Bar. But we both know that’s impossible.”
“But it’s my word against whoever gave this tip.”
He took her hand. “No. It’s our word and mine carries a lot of weight in this town.”
She swallowed. Hard. “Yeah.”
“I know what you’re thinking.”
“I doubt that,” she said softly.
“The real question is why does someone want to set you up? Because that brings me to the second tip we got.”
“I don’t think I want to hear this.”
“Someone told my mom it was you fighting with Heather before she was murdered.”
“But I didn’t even know?—”
“Relax. We all know this is bullshit. We just have to find out why someone in this town has it in for the new girl.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one coming under fire.” She wiped her hands on her jeans. How the hell did this happen? What on earth had she done to anyone in this town? Her pulse pounded in her ears so loudly she could barely hear herself think.
“Nope. I’m not. But I am taking what’s happening personally.” He dunked a fry into some ketchup and plopped it into his mouth. “Someone is trying to redirect this investigationby having us focus on you. Whoever it is doesn’t know where you spent the night last night. It’s why I’ve asked some of my brothers to come over before my mom.”
“Seriously?” She glared. “Which brothers?”
“Rhett and Miles.”
“Fucking wonderful.” She smacked her hands against her thighs. “I get to be interrogated by a cop and two private dicks. Just how I wanted to spend my evening.”
He lowered his chin and arched a brow. “You’re being dramatic.”
