The Bad Boys' Reluctant Woman(32)

She stared at Vicki debating, trying to build up a friendship with the other woman. Zoe had shot her down so many times in the past that she wondered if the other girl would give her a chance.

Do this for your guys, and do it for yourself.

Zoe squared her shoulders and walked over to where Vicki stood. The young woman was biting on her nails watching Tristan.

“What’s going on?” Zoe asked.

Vicki jumped, a hand going to her heart. “You scared me. I thought you’d be long gone by now.”

“No, I’m not going.”

“You said you’d be gone by the end of the week. Are you here to pick up your last pay-cheque?”

Zoe shook her head. “I’m here to ask Steve if I can keep working here.”

“For how long?”

She paused to think about the answer. “Indefinitely.” Even if it didn’t go well with Brent, Jake, and Connor, she wanted to lay down her roots in Law Castle.

Vicki turned to her. “Really? You’re staying here?” Zoe nodded her head smiling. “I’m sure Steve would love to have you. You’ve not got the best reputation with the customers, but you’re a good barmaid.”

Zoe didn’t say anything. She knew this would take time. Vicki was clearly waiting for her to say something. “I was in the foster system as a teenager,” she said.

Where the hell had that come from?

“I don’t open up easily. It is hard to do.”

The younger woman was staring at her as if she’d grown three heads. Nothing came out of her lips.

Great, the one time I’m ready to talk, and you’re going to stay silent on me.

“I shot you down all those time you were trying to be my friend. I’ve never had a friend, and I didn’t expect to stay here for long. I find not making connections with people is easier to do.” Zoe’s hands were shaking as she ran her fingers through her hair. “I was wondering if your offer of friendship was still open?”

Vicki stared at her open-mouthed.

“I understand if you tell me to get lost.”

There was a shaking of the head. “What? Of course I wouldn’t tell you to get lost. I’d love to be your friend, Zoe.”

In the next instant, Vicki had her arms around Zoe. She felt the tight squeeze of the other woman. Zoe patted Vicki on the back.

“Thank you.”

“Sorry, you need to breathe.” Vicki pulled away, smiling.

Zoe turned towards the owner and the sheriff. “What’s going on?”

“I have no idea. Tristan was here waiting when I got here. Steve came in an hour ago. They’ve been talking since.”

“You seem nervous,” Zoe said.

“No, I’m not. I’m fine. I just have the jitters is all. I’ve got a sixth sense I use for detecting impending doom.”

Zoe laughed unsure how to take the statement. They stood together watching the two men. Tristan nodded, scribbled on his notebook, then moved away. When he saw them, he walked over. Zoe felt Vicki tense at her side.

“Vicki,” Tristan said.

“Sheriff.”

“I need to talk to you, Zoe.”

“Why?” Her defences came back up.

“I need to ask you a few questions.”

Zoe turned to Vicki, who was looking elsewhere.

“Okay, I’ll talk to you.”

Tristan took her arm and led her to a secluded corner. “I need to know everything about this man, Bill.”

She shook her head. “No offense, Sheriff. That’s not my business.” Zoe went to leave, but he caught her with a hand on her arm. “A kid overdosed last night at the park where you usually sit and watch the kids. I think it is time you start giving me some answers, Zoe.”

“What? Who? What?” Her mind was awhirl. A kid near the park had overdosed? “Is the kid all right? What happened?”

“The kid is fine. I want to know how drugs got into my town and who is the main supplier.”

“I don’t know.”

“Connor said he saw someone hassling you. A Bill.”

“I don’t know his name. The people where I live call him Bill.”

“Have you seen him dealing?”

Zoe closed her lips.

“If you don’t tell me everything I need to know I will arrest you, and then I’ll find something to arrest your men.”

She glared at him, not liking him one bit.

“Yes, I saw him dealing.”

“Where?”

Zoe gave him as much information as she knew. She described the foil packets with some of the men around her apartment building. That was all the information she had. Foil packets and customers.

“Where does he live?”

“I don’t know. All I know is he comes near the neighbourhood where the trailers are and my apartment building. Are we done?”