Deadly Intuition(13)

Grady’s heart dropped to his stomach. He had an idea who the Daily Tribune reporter was.

I don’t care. She’s not interested in me, and you’re definitely not interested in her. She’s rude, crude, and has way too much attitude.

He was on his feet, keys in hand, before he even finished the thought. He was just going to make sure she was okay. It was nothing more.

The problem was, he wasn’t sure he actually believed that.

Hardy Brothers Security is located in Sterling Heights, so it took Grady almost fifteen minutes to get to the county building. Because the area was taped off, he had to park further down on Main Street and walk to the crime scene. By the time he got there, he was on edge.

At least three news vans were parked on the street, antennas extended, and the city was bustling for that time of night. This was going to be big news at eleven. Grady didn’t care about them, though. He was looking for a specific face. When he found it, he couldn’t stop the relieved breath from escaping his lungs.

Sophie was standing in the middle of the melee, hands on hips, yelling at a deputy as he attempted to question her. There was a bandage on her arm, some scattered blood cascading down her bare skin, and an infuriated expression on her face. Whoever had given her first aid had ripped the sleeve of her blouse to get at the wound, leaving tattered shreds to blow in the wind. She didn’t look seriously hurt, although she did looked seriously angry. She looked seriously hot, too. Dammit!

You’ve done your diligence. She’s fine. You’ve seen her. Go home.

Grady didn’t listen to his own advice. Instead, he remained standing at the edge of the crime scene, willing Sophie to look in his direction. When she finally did, Grady’s heart thumped in an exaggerated roll.

Sophie said something else to the deputy and then made her way over to him. “What are you doing here?”

Grady’s mouth was dry. He wasn’t sure how to answer the question. “I was driving by and saw the hoopla. I just wanted to see what was going on.”

Sophie narrowed her eyes, waiting.

Grady was uncomfortable with her scrutiny. “What?”

“You haven’t asked what happened,” Sophie pointed out.

Grady internally cursed himself. “One of the people down the street told me that some gangbangers took a shot at someone. Was it you?”

Sophie glanced down the street. “Who told you?”

She’s so suspicious. “I don’t know. Some woman.”

Sophie looked doubtful, but she didn’t press him. “I don’t think it was gangbangers.”

Grady reached over, grabbing her wrist and running his finger over the tender white skin as he turned her arm so he could take a better look at the bandage. Sophie seemed surprised by his movements, but she didn’t immediately yank her arm away.

“Were you shot?”

“No. One of the planters shattered and the glass cut me. It’s minor.”

Grady nodded, relieved. He had no idea why he cared. “Well, I guess it could be worse then.”

“I think it depends on who you ask,” Sophie shot back. “I kind of fainted or something, although I’m still trying to believe that. I don’t faint. I am not a … fainter. That’s just ridiculous. That doesn’t seem minor to me.”

Grady bit the inside of his mouth to keep the retort on the tip of tongue from escaping. “I guess.”

Sophie pulled her arm back, rubbing the spot where his fingers had just been.

Grady lifted his brown eyes to hers. “You fainted? You?”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “What are you asking?”

“Well, I just thought your balls were too big for you to faint.” Grady knew the jab was pointed, but he didn’t care. He wanted a reaction from her. Any reaction would do.

“It was … intense,” Sophie admitted. “I’ve never been shot at before.”

Grady nodded.

“You would’ve probably fainted, too,” Sophie challenged.

Grady smirked. He’d done a three-year tour in the Army, seeing heavy action in Afghanistan. Fainting wasn’t in his repertoire. “You’re probably right.”

“You would have,” Sophie pressed.

“That’s what I said.”

Sophie made a face. “You wouldn’t have fainted, would you?”

Grady shrugged. “Probably not.”

Sophie let loose an exasperated sigh. “You bug me.”

Grady raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond.

Sophie glanced around. “I guess I should get going.”

“Are the police done with you?”

“It’s the sheriff’s department,” Sophie replied, her disdain evident. “They said they’ll have more questions, but they’re done for now.”