“Clothes she needs hemmed,” Nadine supplied while shuffling past Henry to the back.
“Right. Of course.” Henry cleared his throat. “Well, ladies. I’m clearly interferin’ with what looks like a wholesome gathering, but I do have some questions regarding Jamie.” He cleared his throat again, prying the collar of his shirt with a finger. “Rest assured, your husband’s statement was handled with the utmost care.”
I slapped on a pretty smile I didn’t feel. “It was?”
He gave a single nod. “Course. Carver told me about—” He paused, yet again, to clear his throat, only this time, his cheeks turned a shade of red. The ‘battery’ Carver mentioned must’ve escalated to needing to know Jamie’s dealings, and I doubted it was the theft from the facility. “I apologize. I hope you know how seriously we take things like that here in Alliston, and it’s my duty to make sure everyone, especially women, feels safe here.”
I bit my cheek, keeping the laugh that roared to the surface back down. “I’m sure Alliston is real safe under your watch, Sheriff.”
The sarcasm was obviously missed as he smiled solemnly.
Sophia nudged my shoulder the second Henry turned to talk to Nadine. “What the fuck happened? Did he say Jamie? Did he do somethin’ to you?”
“Nothin’ that needs a cop’s attention.”
“That’s not convincing coming from someone who’s been mugged before andstillrefused to call the cops, even after getting a black eye and her shit stolen.”
“Keep that to yourself,” I hissed.
“Why? Would your protective-as-fuck husband find him and—”
“Yes,” I said flatly. Angling my body, I could almost hear what the sheriff was saying to Nadine.If I could just—
Sophia crossed her arms. “Then tell me what Jamie did and I won’t say a word.”
“Know what? I promised you coffee.” I grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the back. Nadine and Henry’s conversation became clearer with every step, though I should have guessed it had something to do with Jamie being an ass to me in the parking lot.
The part I didn’t expect was, “He seems to have skipped town.”
Last night suddenly became clearer than it had been in my drunken state. Carver and his two friends coming over, leaving me with my friend—
Hunting my ass.
“Nadine,” I cut in, dragging Sophia behind me still. “I’m so sorry to butt in, but I was tellin’ my friend here how great your coffee was.”
Henry made room in the small back area, allowing us through. Nadine seemed happy with the interruption. “Why don’t you call me if he pops up? I thought he was good for Aubrey, but it seems I was wrong.” Her smile was somber this time as she poured Sophia and I each a cup.
Shit. She saw what he did, then.
Henry tipped his head, only covering it back up with his black hat as he stepped outside.
“That asshole,” Nadine murmured.
“Henry?”
“Jamie.” Nadine passed the mugs to us, one at a time. “I’m sorry he did that to you. Henry asked for the parking lot footage yesterday. You poor, poor thing.”
I could feel Sophia shooting bullets with her eyes at me. “He leave?” I asked.
“Doubtful. Henry is just used to that being the case.”
I lifted the mug to my lips and glanced at the front of the store. No more cruiser in the lot. “Has Henry been Sheriff for long?”
“Sheriff? No, only a few years. But he was an officer for this town before the promotion for about twenty years, maybe more?” She took one look at me, then added, “His brain has gotten a little fuzzy over the years, but he’s a good sheriff for this town.” She looked me over as I sipped from my mug, then sighed. “Some things are better left forgotten, ain’t that right?”
“Most definitely,” Sophia said, having no clue Nadine was talking about Chet. About my connection to him. About who the hell he even was.
“The meds for my husband—I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am. I can pay—”
