Deadly Intuition(14)
“You don’t seem convinced.”
“Let’s just say I don’t have a lot of faith in the sheriff solving this case right now,” Sophie shot back. “He probably set it up.”
Grady ran his tongue over his teeth, considering his options. “Why do you say that?”
Sophie sighed. “We had a little … thing after the meeting tonight.”
“Define thing.”
“He thinks I’m purposely out to get him.”
“Because of the corruption scandal?”
Sophie’s eyes narrowed. “You know about that?”
Grady shrugged. “It’s big news in the county. I’m up on the news.” What? He was up on the news. Now.
Sophie didn’t look convinced. “And where do you think the money is?”
This was a test. “I don’t know. I haven’t been able to look at the financial trail to figure that out.” That seemed like a safe answer.
“Well, Sheriff Morgan says it’s just been misplaced. Like someone can just lose six-hundred grand under the couch cushion or something.”
Grady laughed. “I guess not.”
“Anyway, he accused me of purposely going after him, and that’s when the shooting happened,” Sophie said.
“Was he there when the shots were fired?”
“No. He’d already left.”
“So, why do you think that he arranged it?”
“I don’t,” Sophie admitted after a second. “I’m just … flustered.”
“That’s understandable,” Grady said. “You were shot at.”
Sophie’s face was inscrutable. “Why are you being nice to me?”
“Why are you so suspicious?”
“Because I was not only mean to you yesterday afternoon, but I was rude,” Sophie said. “If you think I’m proud of it, I’m not. I’m just curious why you would even want to be nice to me after the way I acted.”
Grady smiled. “Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment.”
“Well, I can believe that.”
Grady stilled. “Maybe I’m also in a position to help you.”
“How so?”
Grady’s dimples came out to play. “You’ll have to let me buy you a late dinner to find out.”
Sophie tilted her head, unsure. “I don’t know you. You could be a rapist or something.”
“Do I look like a rapist?”
Sophie pursed her lips. “No. You look like a guy who gets what he wants.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“I’m not sure.”
Grady held out his hand. “Why don’t you let me buy you dinner – in a well-lit environment with a lot of people around – and decide for yourself?”
Sophie glanced at his hand. “It’s almost eleven. Most of the restaurants around here are closed.”
Grady kept his hand outstretched as he inclined his head to the National Coney Island diner down the block. “I didn’t say it would be a good dinner.”
Sophie sighed as she reached out and squeezed his hand. “Fine. I’m keeping my eye on you, though.”
Grady winked. “That’s the way I like it.”
Seven
The diner was brightly lit, clean, and full of reprobates. Late night diners adjacent to bad neighborhoods are breeding grounds for interesting people – and some of those people are more dangerous than engaging. Grady ignored them as he settled into the booth across from Sophie, marveling that she seemed to fit into the environment seamlessly.
They placed their orders, neither party opting to speak until the waitress had delivered their drinks. Once she was gone, Grady fixed Sophie with a curious look. “Why don’t you tell me about yourself?”
“Why don’t you tell me about yourself,” Sophie challenged.
Grady swallowed his sigh. She was tough. There must be a reason. He just had to be patient. “Okay, have it your way. I’m one of four children. I have two brothers and one sister. I grew up in Barker Creek, a small town upstate. I spent three years in the Army after graduation. Now I work as a security consultant with my brothers.”
Sophie’s face was unreadable. “Hardy Brothers Security?”
Grady nodded. “You’ve heard of us?”
“Not a lot,” Sophie admitted. “The only reason I know about you is because one of you was involved in an incident at the courthouse a few months ago. One of the clerks was threatened, and someone from your business shot through a glass door and saved her and an injured security guard. It was big news for a whole week.”
“Mandy,” Grady said. “Amanda Avery, I mean. She was the clerk.”
“Was it you?”