James ran a hand through his hair, irritation flaring. “I’m fairly happy with her,” he replied, reminding himself that Clint was helping him. “She may be work, but she’s worth the work.”
Clint sighed, the sound heavy and sad. “You two are going to be together forever, aren’t you?”
“I certainly hope so,” James said, keeping his voice firm. “I can’t imagine living life without her.”
“But you could have anyone,” Clint tried again.
James knew the security guard had been harboring a crush on his magnificent blonde since before he entered the picture, but his words grated. It was obvious Clint was trying to feel James out, maybe push him to leave Mandy so he could pick up the pieces. James didn’t like anyone moving in on his territory – even if it was the thin and gangly security guard.
“Why would I want anyone else?” James asked, trying a different tactic.
“Because you could have anyone, a model even,” Clint said. “Mandy is pretty, but she’s not a model.”
“You should tell her that,” James said. “I think she’d love to hear it.”
Clint’s face colored. “I don’t think you understand,” he said. “I think she’s the most beautiful woman ever. I just thought that someone like you would like someone more … .”
“Buxom?”
“What’s buxom?”
James shook his head. “Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you,” he said. “I’m perfectly happy with my blonde angel. I don’t want anyone else. I’m never going to want anyone else.”
Clint led James out of the elevator and onto the sixth floor. “I know. I guess … I guess I just don’t want to believe she’s happy with you. She always seems so happy it makes me crazy. Her face lights up when she sees you. Heck, she smiles when someone mentions your name.”
James looked Clint up and down, waiting for him to continue.
“You probably don’t know this, but I’ve always had a crush on her,” Clint continued.
James fought the urge to smile. “I never would have guessed.”
“I’ve hidden it,” Clint said. “I just guess I want to be the one she smiles at.”
James patted him on the back. “Maybe it’s time to move on, man. I’m not going to let her go, even for a guy like you.”
Clint’s hangdog expression was almost more than James could take. “I guess I’ve lost her to the better man.”
James had to swallow his upper lip with his lower one to keep from laughing. When he got control of himself, he glanced down the hall. “Where is she?”
“They’re in the courtroom,” Clint said. “The judge wanted everyone in there when he arraigned the suspects.”
“And the suspects are?”
“Some crazy family members who are on opposite sides of a murder,” Clint said. “I don’t think the judge will care if you sit in the courtroom. Just stay in the back and be quiet until everything is over with.”
“I’ve got it,” James said, starting down the hall. “I just want to be able to see her.”
“Me, too.”
James didn’t look back. As much as he wanted to believe Clint was just a pathetic loser in love with his girlfriend, there was something about the security guard that still piqued his interest. He wasn’t ruling him out as a suspect – at least not yet.
James was quiet when he entered the courtroom, his eye catching Mandy’s at her desk before he took a seat. Mandy’s frown was evident, but she quickly hid it as she turned back to her work. James knew he was going to catch an earful later, but he was used to that.
He moved to the bench at the back of the courtroom, pulling up short when he found Sophie sitting there. “What are you doing here?”
“I was here when it happened,” Sophie said. “Don’t worry, she was perfectly safe. The security guard grabbed her first, in fact. I think the judge warned him to do just that in case of an emergency.”
James leaned back on the bench, watching as the judge verbally lambasted a portly man in khaki pants and a striped shirt. “Who is that?”
“That is Walter Tipton, Sr.,” Sophie said, never ceasing her note taking. “He’s already got a case pending in Roseville district court. Now he’s facing a possible felony count for striking a sheriff’s deputy. He’s also the suspect’s father.”
“Ah. And those other people?”
“Various members of his family and the victim’s family. Oh, and that guy over there nursing his nose and blubbering like a baby? He’s the suspect’s best friend. He was sleeping with his now-dead wife.”