Page 37 of Badges
“Elena. This is one of my best friends Ford, and his wife April.” Sweeping my arm in her direction, I finish the introductions.
I’ve given Elena a head’s up, so she doesn’t appear surprised as she stands.
Ford twitches in front of April when Elena gets closer, casting me a hard stare and gritting his teeth when she reaches out her hand.
“Hi. Wade didn’t fill me in on the details, but he did tell me you were hurt by men that worked for the same people that have my sister.” Her fingers hang in the air.
April’s lips thin and her palm drifts to her belly before taking Elena’s offering. “They’re a pretty fucked up bunch, am I right?” Her slight smile seems to melt the stiffness in Elena’s spine.
Then I catch Ford’s piercing gray stare as he mouths “Wade?” at me.
I dismiss him with a wave.
Elena gives her a warm grin. “Sofucked up!” Then she glances to me. “I think I recognize one of the pictures.” She tilts her chin towards the table.
“Well, I need a beer. Ford?” I start towards the fridge without waiting.
“‘Kay,” he grunts, his gaze not moving from Elena.
She seems to be brushing off his foul attitude, and leads April to join her at the table. “I’d like one too, please. April? Want a beer?”
April glances at Ford and shakes her head. “I can’t drink.”
“Oh.Oh.” Elena’s mouth forms a perfect circle.
Damn her.
“Congrats,” she pipes, then slides into her chair.
“Water, milk, or diet Coke?” I call, searching the shelves for more options that I know aren’t there.
“Water’s fine, thanks.” April slides into the spot I sat in at dinner. “These are all potentials? I didn’t ever see anyone else. But maybe the names will sound familiar?” Her fingers show a tremor when she reaches towards the photos strewn across the table.
“This one I remember.” Elena proudly holds up a mug shot.
Ford’s cheeks pale. “Can I see?”
His Adam’s apple bobs with a hard swallow as he searches me out. “Wade, it’s Chris,” he says hollowly.
Shit. I wondered.
“Who is he?” Elena’s big brown eyes glance between us.
Ford takes his beer and chugs down almost half before he wipes his mouth with his knuckles. “He was bad blood. But he’s dead now.” Ford locks me in a stare.
We both know how he died.
Not too differently than Quincy. Hell, they’re buried only a few yards apart.
“Hmm. That’s great.” Elena’s voice drops with a sigh.
“Wait.” April’s forehead furrows as she looks up at her husband. “Is itthatChris? From the bar?” Her mouth twists into a frown when he nods.
Elena’s nose wrinkles as she looks between their silent conversation. “I don’t get it. But if he’s gone, he won’t be able to help much.”
Knowing that Chris was in fact there does help though.
“Ford?” I lean against the counter, my elbow resting on the granite. “Do you have any old party pics from around twelve years ago?” I gesture with my chin at Elena. “It might be easier for her to pick out a face if she saw it as she was.”
