Page 9 of Deadly Sins: Envy
“Any updates on Willow?” Coop asked.
“I don’t know,” she said. “The male detective is talking to your brother, and the woman hasn’t uttered a word since the detective corrected her a few minutes ago, which is fine. She’s unpleasant. I’d prefer it if she kept quiet.”
We walked to the living room. The detective was tall with a broad, athletic physique. He was around Coop’s age and had short, dark hair, a tidy moustache, and a kind face. The woman was short and curvy. She wore her chestnut-colored hair in a tight ponytail and had a bitter expression on her face that said, “Mess with me, and I’ll dismantle you, piece by piece.”
Coop gestured toward the detective. “Sloane, this is Detective Herb Murphy.”
Murphy extended a hand to me. “Good to meet you, Sloane. Call me Murphy.”
We shook, and Murphy tipped his head toward the woman. “This is Officer Blunt.”
“SeniorOfficer Blunt,” she said.
“Yes, of course,” Murphy said. “SeniorBlunt.”
It wasn’t easy, but somehow, I managed not to laugh.
Blunt paid me no mind and kept her attention on Murphy.
“I hear you’re a private investigator,” Murphy said.
I nodded and wondered what else he’d been told.
“How about we all sit down for a minute and get caught up,” Coop said.
Murphy, Coop, and I sat. Blunt remained standing with her hands on her hips. Gran walked in holding a plated sandwich in each hand. She handed one to me and the other to Murphy and then narrowed her eyes at Coop and left the room. Coop acted like he wasn’t fazed, even though it was obvious he felt slighted.
Coop cleared his throat and said, “So, what’s the latest?”
“We’ve just finished gathering evidence at Dean Watson’s house,” Murphy said. “Will take some time to process it all and see what comes of it.”
“It’s almost noon,” Coop said. “The drop is twelve hours away. Time is something we don’t have. What’s the plan for tonight?”
“We’ll put our people in place, rendezvous at the meeting point, and do everything we can to come away with Miss Cooperandyour family’s money.”
“The money doesn’t matter,” Coop said. “All we care about is Willow’s safe return.”
“I understand,” Murphy said.
“When I asked what the plan was,” Coop said, “I meant to say, what’s the plan for your men to stay out of sight while the money is delivered?”
“We got together and talked about it this morning,” Murphy said. “It would be best if one of our men meets with Willow’s abductor instead of your brother. It’s better that way and safer for you all.”
“I’m not interested in safe,” Coop said, “but I understand why you don’t want to send Dale in. Most of the time, he has no tact, and he speaks his mind, no matter who he might offend. Sending him in would be like lighting a firecracker and waiting to see how long it takes to go off.”
“We’re in agreeance, then,” Murphy said. “Our men will handle the exchange.”
“We’renotin agreeance,” Coop said. “We don’t know anything about this guy. Is he smart? Stupid? Does he know us? Who we are? What we look like? Given the right attire, I look enough like my brother to pass for him. I also have experience in these situations. I’d like to make the exchange myself.”
“You can’t just tell us what you want to—” Blunt began.
“I just did,” Coop said.
So much for him advising me not to say or do anything to jeopardize the case.
“It’s something we can discuss further as the plan is put in place,” Murphy said. “We’ll stay in touch throughout the day so you’re all in the loop about our decision.”
“I respect all you’re trying to do for our family right now,” Coop said. “I do. I’ve been where you are now, and any way you look at it, it’s a hard decision. But it’s my family’s money, and I want to deliver it.”