Roman narrows his eyes at me. He isn’t going to let me off the hook that easily. “Yeah?”
“Well, I guess…I mean, I could be wrong. And I don’t really want to get involved. Stitching up cuts is one thing, but—”
“Spit it out, Madison.”
“He said the guy didn’t like the price and so he lunged at him, right?”
“You don’t believe it?”
I shake my head. “The cut. It just didn’t look like a knife wound to me. Usually, they’re clean and straight, but it was jagged. Almost like it was torn on something. And his story doesn’t make much sense. Don’t you think if you were going to stab someone, you wouldn’t risk being off balance by bending down so far?”
Roman doesn’t answer at first, sweeping his thumb across his full lips.
“And why not go for something more vital? If the guy was in front of him like he said, he could have easily stabbed him in the stomach or the chest or the neck. But he goes for a place that’s virtually harmless? It could be nothing…but it just doesn’t add up to me.”
He’s quiet, and for a minute, I wonder if I’ve made a huge mistake.
Fuck,Icouldlistento her talk like this all day.
Part of Madison’s appeal is that she’s so far removed from my world, but hearing her talk like she’s right in the thick of it does things to me I’m almost ashamed to admit. And I don’t get ashamed by much.
It’s got me out of sorts in the best way, but I have to shut that feeling down. I’ve got too much to do today to let my mind already start wandering to her.
Not to mention what she’s saying actually makes perfect sense. She’s right. I didn’t read much into the story because I had no reason to question Russ. I still don’t, except the word of a woman I barely know against a guy who’s been with me for years.
“I don’t know. It just…I thought you should know.”
“No, you’re right. It doesn’t make sense.” My fingers tighten around my coffee cup. I have enough threats from outside, but if I’ve got guys on my team lying to me, that’s something else entirely. “I’ll look into it.”
“Will you let me know what you find out?” She swallows, pressing her mug to her lips and fidgeting with a stack of papers on the counter. “If he’s innocent and—”
“No one is innocent in my world, Madison,” I cut her off. “But one thing I can promise you is that I don’t rush into things. Before I act on something, I know every related fact and outcome. If Russ is telling the truth, then no harm, no foul.”
“And if he isn’t?”
“You sure ask a lot of questions for someone who doesn’t want to be involved.”
“You’re right.” She shakes her head, holding up her hand. “I don’t want to know.”
Madison moves around the kitchen, getting herself breakfast and packing a lunch for work. With the conversation halted, I glance through my phone and notice a message from Sarah, Joe’s wife. When I have things come up at work that I can’t move, she is usually my go-to, but she’s sick and won’t make it this afternoon like I planned on.
“Damn it,” I groan, rubbing my forehead. Most days, I could bring Ty with me, but I have a meeting with an arms dealer and I don’t want him anywhere near that. And since my circle of trusted babysitters is virtually nonexistent, I don’t have many options.
“What’s wrong?” Madison asks.
“Ty’s babysitter canceled and I have a really important meeting this afternoon.” I let out a heavy breath. Canceling so suddenly isn’t a good look, and this is a connection that we really need. I can always hear the lecture I’m going to get from Joe.
“What time is it at?” she asks.
“Uh, two o’clock.” I glance at my watch and gather my things off of the counter. I’ve got about a hundred other things that need my attention before then, too. I could postpone my inspection at the dock this morning, but that would put us behind a couple of days and…
“I can do it.”
“Wh-what?” My mind is so focused on restructuring my day that I almost miss what she says completely.
“I said I can do it. I just have a staff meeting this morning and I can be back about noon, if that gives you enough time.”
Rubbing my chin, I think about her offer. She’d really be coming in clutch, and I already know Ty loves her. I don’t like to leave him with many people, but she’s about as responsible as they come.
