Page 39 of Out to Get Her
Get it together, Sam.
She needed to stay cool and deliver this speech in front of Etta’s wealthiest and most powerful citizens. She needed them to fork over their cash for the parish humane societyandfork over their votes for her next Saturday.
“I’ve got a couple leads,” she said. “Need to follow up on new statements.”
The weasel of a deputy standing before her tsk-tsked. “Shouldn’t you be following up on those instead of rubbing elbows?”
It had only been two days since Paul’s murder. Two days of investigation. The tox screen and autopsy weren’t anywhere near her desk yet. She was doing her job. Jordan was just poking her. And she was letting him.
“Seeing as how some of the people I need to follow up with are in this room, I think I’m in exactly the right spot.”
He raised an eyebrow at that and gave a low whistle. “Sure you’re up for this, honey?”
Bait, Sam. Bait.
Don’t bite.
“I’d be glad to take over for you,” he added, his voice dripping with condescension. “I mean, the conflict of interest alone is… problematic.”
In this town, every interaction was a conflict of interest. But she did her best to keep things fair and proper. Which was more than anyone could say about Jordan Fonseca.
Before she could respond, her other nightmare walked up behind her to place both hands on her shoulders. “Good to see law enforcement here. I feel so very safe now.”
Nathan stepped around her into view, his front-page smile out in full force as he patted Jordan on the back.
Yup. He was definitely funding her opponent’s campaign.
In fact, she’d bet money on the fact that he was the one who’d bought Jordan a ticket for this event.
They were conspiring to rattle her.
And she hated that it was working.
Samantha couldn’t afford to be rattled. She needed to project calm and confidence when she addressed the room in a few minutes. She needed the citizens of this town to know she could handle one measly ex-husband. If she couldn’t manage that, how would she handle being police chief?
“Deputy Fonseca, could I have a moment with my lovely ex-wife before she’s called to speak in front of all these people, please?”
“Why, of course. I’ll find you both later, and you can catch me up on those leads of yours, Sergeant.” He winked at her again as he left.
Once he was out of earshot, Nathan spun and turned on her.
“Samantha, let’s be real here.” His tone switched from smarmy weasel to manipulative jerk. It had been so long since she’d been witness to or recipient of such a switch that it startled her.
“What do you want?”
“Don’t you think you should hand this case over to the Sheriff’s department where it should be?”
“It’s my case. I’m handling it.” She could smell his self-preservation as strong as his expensive cologne. “And it’s none of your business, frankly.”
“I’m just…concernedfor you, Sam. You can’t seriously think you belong here.” He gestured around the room. “Or that you can handle this case alone.” He put a hand on her arm, and she could feel the touch through her suit jacket, which made her want to vomit on his shoes. “Don’t you think this is all just too big for you?”
She looked around the room. The mayor stood in the corner, talking to a state senator. The secretary of state was also nearby, chatting with the owner of a regional bank and their house representative.
She definitely didn’t belong here. Why did she think it was a good idea to pretend like she did?
Maybe Nathan was right.
He almost never was. But what if, just this time, Nathanwasright? What if all of this really was too big for her?
