Page 27 of Allie's Shelter
“As cold as I could get it.”
Ross took the keyboard back, switched the login, and sent an email to Rick, another to the sheriff. “I’ll see about getting the camera feeds from the bank. Might be the proof of life we need to clear that warrant.”
“So who’s on the coroner’s table?”
“What?”
“Sheriff Cochran said Roberts was on the coroner’s table.” She stared up at the ceiling. “I really thought I was working with the good guys, Ross.”
“As the saying goes, a couple bad apples don’t ruin the crop.”
“Is that advice good for potatoes too?”
He chuckled. “You aren’t going to Idaho.”
“Not convinced.” She turned her head, her eyes clear and steady on him. “If it is Roberts, why frame me for his death?”
“Easy pickings?” He barely got the words out. Her face was too close, her rosy lips right there. Definitely easy pickings of a different sort. He wanted to taste her, to know if she was as sweet as he remembered. His fingers itched to trace the shell of her ear, the smooth column of her throat, the soft swell of her breast.
He gritted his teeth against the desire, forced his gaze back to the computer. A few days ago she’d been a simple thief and he’d been tasked with recovering the stolen property. Nothing simple about her now. Clinging to the last shred of his business sense, he logged out of his side of the system, limiting her access once more.
“Hello?” Eva’s voice startled him. “Anyone home?”
Striding quickly out of the office, he met her in the kitchen. “Thanks for doing the shopping.”
Eva set two bags on the granite counter. “You can get the rest while I put stuff away.”
“Deal.” Ross rushed out, never more grateful for an escape.
His professional concern that Eva might have been followed evaporated when he saw the dusty grocery store logo magnets from the oldest store in Florence on the doors of a battered Jeep Wrangler. He grabbed the last of the bags and headed back into the kitchen.
“You decided off-road was the best way to travel?”
“Anything for you.” She batted her eyelashes, making him laugh as Allie walked in.
Her expression shifted instantly from open to wary to almost sad. He was fairly sure this was about to get sticky. “Allie, Eva.” He figured that was enough of an introduction based on Allie’s earlier jealousy. As he unloaded the groceries, he kept himself between the two women.
But he shouldn’t have worried. Allie’s manners were too deeply ingrained. She was gracious and polite, and her smile looked sincere. “A pleasure to meet you.”
“Again,” Eva agreed. “Even if this dolt didn’t introduce us before.”
“You had him a bit distracted,” Allie replied.
“Easy enough to do,” Eva agreed.
Surprised, Ross ignored them as they found common ground in acting as if he was invisible. What had happened to Allie’s jealousy? Where did Eva get off befriending the woman she’d called a ‘perp’ a few hours ago?
With this sort of behavior, it was no wonder men never felt like they really understood women.
“I’m going to check in with Rick.” Let the two girlfriends finish the groceries.
“Hang on,” Eva said. “We got a hit on that first identification you asked for.” She reached for the messenger bag she’d dropped near the door.
He saw Allie tense up. “Good news. In my office.” Let her keep guessing about his personal life. Maybe it would push her to ask him straight out what was between him and Eva. Then he could enjoy her reaction when he told her they were only professional associates.
“By the way,” Eva said, pausing on her way out. “Our fearless leader here is unattached. That kiss this morning wasn’t anything but a test for you.”
“Eva!” He snarled at her. “What the hell?”