“I don’t even know where to start,” he gritted out.
“I think you should start by telling me that I’m a diligent genius and you can’t believe how much work I’ve done over the past several days,” I offered.
“Yeah, I’m not going to say that.” Jake leaned back in his seat and stared at a spot over my right shoulder. “I can’t believe you did this, Avery. I really can’t.”
“Oh, please.” I wasn’t in the mood to apologize. “This is hardly the worst thing I’ve done this month. Don’t get all high and mighty.”
“I’m not getting high and mighty.” Jake folded his arms over his chest as he regarded me. “I just … why didn’t you give me that packet of information you found right away?”
Ah. I was expecting that question. “At first I didn’t know it had anything to do with the election. I only grabbed it because I was trying to distract Eliot. He was readying himself to yell about my personal safety and I didn’t want to listen so I grabbed the papers to distract him.”
“I can vouch for that,” Eliot added. “She didn’t even look at them until the next morning. She took them on a whim because she was annoyed with me telling her what to do.”
“Lovely.” Jake rubbed the back of his neck. “So you find the paperwork and look at it the next morning. You had to realize what you were dealing with at that point.”
“No. I knew it was campaign finance information because it said so on the top, but there was no name associated with it. There were no dates. I had no idea who it belonged to. I assumed it belonged to Tad because of the Brucker situation … and the fact that he was whining like a baby because he said Brucker had his campaign strategy plan with him when he died.”
“Huh.” Jake’s irritation waned as his interest piqued. “You’re right. He was going on and on that morning about his strategic plan going missing. I thought he was either exaggerating how important the plan was or lying about the documents that Brucker carried. I kind of forgot about it with everything else going on.”
“That’s because you’re … you. I couldn’t let myself forget that.”
“Yes, you’re a goddess amongst mortals,” Jake drawled. “Once you found out that paperwork belonged to Ludington and was very likely with Brucker when he died, you should’ve turned it over to me. We both know it.”
“I couldn’t pin down the numbers, though,” I argued. “I searched the county website. I started with Tad. They didn’t match. Then I searched for the numbers and couldn’t find anyone they matched. It wasn’t exactly easy.”
Jake narrowed his eyes. “How did you search for the numbers? You don’t have that option from the private citizen portal.”
“Oh, well … .” I refused to look at Lauren as I made up a lie on the spot. “I happen to know someone in the county executive’s office, and that individual logged in and let me search.”
“That could cost that individual his or her job,” Jake growled.
“Yes, well, I never reveal a source.” I was firm. “It doesn’t matter how I got in. I searched. None of the numbers is there.”
“Fine.” Jake licked his lips and forced himself to calm. “You said that Ludington owned up to the paperwork being his but said that he was keeping files on his election opponents. That means one of the other three is funneling money from election accounts.”
“That’s the only scenario that seems to fit the evidence,” I agreed.
“So we have to figure out which candidate it is.”
“It’s Aiken,” I supplied. “He’s hiding money, and he’s doing it with the clerk’s help.”
Jake balked. “I happen to know Richard … .”
“Dick,” I corrected. “His name is Dick Aiken, and he fits his name.”
“Oh, you haven’t liked him from the moment you met him,” Jake complained. “You’ve been out to get him ever since, even though he’s been nothing but nice to you.”
That wasn’t exactly how I remembered things. “He’s a closet racist.”
“I’ve known him much longer than you and I’ve never seen any hint that’s true,” Jake argued. “Also, just because Mary Winters has an Aiken bumper sticker doesn’t mean she’s the one hiding information. In fact, I’ve known Mary long enough to believe she would never do anything of the sort.”
“I believe otherwise.”
“Well, you’re wrong.” Jake pinned me with a pointed gaze. “You’re not always right about everything, Avery.”
“No, but I think I’m right about this,” I shot back.
“You’re not, and I can prove it.” Jake turned smug. “Mary Winters has no reason to help Aiken. This is her last election. Even though she’s only partially through her term, she’s resigning right after things die down – and that’s off the record, so if I see it in an article you’re in big trouble.”
“That doesn’t mean she’s not helping Aiken,” I argued.
“She has no reason to help him even if she does want him to win,” Jake snapped. “She’s dying, Avery. She has stage four cancer. The doctor thinks he can make her comfortable for six months and then she’ll slip into a coma and die. She’s not going to be around long enough to enjoy whatever it is you think she’ll be gaining from helping Richard win the election.”
“But … .” I ran the scenario through my head, frustrated. “Someone in that office had to help one of the candidates. If not her, who?”
“I don’t know. I don’t agree that someone in that office had to help a candidate. You don’t even know that what you found has anything to do with the election.”
“Tad said … .”
Jake waved off the argument. “Since when do you believe what Tad Ludington tells you?”
He had a point. Still … . “I believe that someone is funneling money from campaign accounts. I also believe it’s one of our frontrunners and that Tad knows who it is.”
“Oh, well, does that mean you’re going to join forces with Tad Ludington?” Jake asked. “I never thought I’d see the day, but that appears to be what you’re suggesting.”
I tilted my head to the side, considering. “If I have to work with him, I will. I don’t think that’s going to be necessary, though. I can figure this out on my own.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because … because I thought you might want to know and would want to help. Clearly I was wrong.”
Jake heaved out a sigh as he rubbed his forehead. “I’ll ask around, Avery. That’s part of my job. I wouldn’t ignore information like that no matter where it came from – but I need to see those documents and I don’t want to hear any argument about it. I simply don’t believe you have the smoking gun you think you do.”
I pursed my lips. That sounded like a challenge. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see, huh?”
“I guess we will.”
“Great.”
“Good.”
“Wonderful,” Eliot intoned, flashing a smile for an uncomfortable Lauren’s benefit. “Everyone is great and good and lunch will be here any minute. Let’s change the topic and talk about something happy.”
“I agree,” Jake muttered.
“I agree, too.” My eyes flashed as I focused on Jake. “So when are you going to thank me for introducing you to Lauren? I mean … I was right. You two hit it off. I believe I deserve a party – or at least a gift – for being right.”
Jake’s lips curved downward. “Do you want me to kill you? I will.”
“Whatever.” I flicked my eyes to Eliot. “You said he would help. I said I wasn’t sure he would. That means I was right where you’re concerned, too.”
“You’re having quite the day,” Eliot said, rubbing my shoulder. “What’s your next amazing feat?”
That was a good question. “I don’t know. I need food to bolster my brain.”
“Well, I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.”
25 Twenty-Five
The rest of lunch was uncomfortable … to say the le
ast. Eliot paid for our portion and then headed back to his store, warning me to go straight there when I was done before wandering. I had the distinct impression he imagined me dressing like a ninja and stalking people while “wandering.” That was his word, not mine. Like I would ever dress like a ninja. Jedi knight, sure. Ninja, not so much.
Jake remained inside to talk to someone I didn’t recognize at the counter, which left Lauren and me to migrate to the sidewalk outside and talk.
“So … things seem to be going well,” I offered, grinning.
“Jake warned me you would take credit for this,” Lauren groused. “He said you would be unbearable and I would either have to learn to live with it or walk away now.”
“And what did you decide?”
“I’m not sure I have decided yet.” Lauren’s statement was pointed. “How long do you think you’ll torture us?”
“I really have no interest in torturing you.” That was true. “Torturing Jake is another story.”
“You two have a lot of history.”
“We do. You don’t need to be uncomfortable about it, though. Eliot and I are together and that’s not going to change.”
“No, I see the way you and Eliot look at each other.” Lauren’s lips curved. “You love each other. I also see that you’re powerful enough to completely knock Jake off his game. I would be lying if I said it didn’t make me mildly uncomfortable.”
“Before Jake and I ever started dating – and that was in high school, mind you – we were friends. You can’t simply wipe history off the board. Jake and I are in a good place. He probably doesn’t think that because he’s furious with me right now, but in general we’re comfortable with how things have shaken out. Heck, he and Eliot hang out like buddies now. You really have nothing to worry about.”
“We’re not at the point where I would worry about anything,” Lauren clarified. “We’ve essentially had one ‘get to know you’ session at your house, which happened to continue at a restaurant later that night, and then we had lunch today. We haven’t even had a real date yet, so this is all conjecture at this point.”
“I’m sorry I interrupted your date,” I supplied. “That wasn’t my intention. I didn’t know you were together when I tracked down Jake.”
“How did you track him down?”
“I called my cousin and threatened him with a bad baby shower experience for his fiancée if he didn’t tell me. Since he knew I had information Jake would want to hear – and sooner, rather than later – he gave in relatively quickly.”
“And your cousin Derrick is close with Jake, too, right?”
“We all grew up together.” I licked my lips as I decided how to proceed. “We were close as kids and we know how to irritate each other as adults. That’s something that’s not going to go away.”
“I don’t want it to go away.” Lauren leaned against the diner’s brick wall. “When you first started harping on me about this friend you wanted me to date, I thought you were messing with me. When you didn’t give it up, I thought you were a bit manic. Then I met the friend and I kind of like him. I’m not sure what to make of the situation now.”
“You don’t have to make anything of it. Go on a date and see if you have a spark. I’m willing to bet you’ve already felt a spark but that’s really none of my business.”
Lauren snorted. “You strike me as someone who doesn’t care about keeping out of other people’s business.”
She wasn’t wrong. “I will always mess with Jake. That’s how we interact. I can guarantee there’s nothing going on, though. Do you think Eliot is the sort to put up with it if there were?”
“No.” Lauren was emphatic. “In truth, I think you and Eliot are extremely cute together.”
“That sounds mildly insulting.”
“It’s not meant to be. You guys interact in an easy manner most people would kill for. I’m not worried you would try to steal Jake for romantic purposes.”
“Then what are you worried about?”
“That you can’t seem to help yourself from meddling.”
Hmm. “That’s true. I can’t. The good thing you’ve got going for you is that I hop from one thing to another at a rapid pace. Even if I do meddle, it will only be in short bursts.”
Lauren chuckled, genuinely amused. “You’re the only person who would use something like that as a defense.”
“Yeah. I’m a joy.” I flicked my eyes to Jake through the window. He watched us converse with overt curiosity. “He’s a good guy and he deserves a win. I think you guys would have a good time together. I want him with someone who likes him for who he is rather than the fact that he has political power. I think that’s the type of person you are.”
“I don’t care that he’s the sheriff,” Lauren said. “I only care that he’s a nice guy. He seems to be a nice guy, but like I said, we’re still getting to know one another.”
“He is a nice guy. There are times I think he’s too nice. If our positions were reversed and I was the sheriff and he was me, I’m pretty sure I would’ve found a place to hide his body a long time ago.”
“I don’t think that’s true. You’re a big talker but it’s obvious you care about him. It’s obvious he cares about you, too. The three of you – Eliot included – make an interesting trio. Jake honestly seems to like Eliot and I don’t know a lot of boyfriends who would be okay with their live-in girlfriend hanging out with her ex as often as you and Jake cross paths.”
“Eliot realizes that I can’t be anyone other than who I am. Every once in a while, I try to be mature, but that rarely goes well. He made a decision when we first started dating to accept me for who I am. I do the same for him, although I’m guessing it’s easier on my end because he’s not difficult to deal with … unless he steals keys and demands to drive me around for my own good.”
“Did he ever have a problem with your relationship with Jake?”
“Maybe a long time ago,” I conceded. “It wasn’t really a problem, though. He simply asked for clarification. I gave it to him. We’ve been fine ever since.” That was a slight exaggeration. There was a fight. I remember that. There was also a period of silence. I remember that, too, because I didn’t like it. We made up quickly, though, and things had been solid ever since. It wasn’t a lie so much as an omission.
“And how would you feel if Jake and I started dating?”
“I’m the one who pushed you together.”
“Yes, but you didn’t know if it would actually happen when you did it. Now it could happen. I would understand if you felt differently.”
“Please. I would love to add a fourth corner to our little group, but it has to be someone who doesn’t irritate me. You don’t irritate me. That’s a win for me.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that.”
“What are you glad to hear?” Jake exited the diner, his eyes bouncing between us. “What has Avery been saying to you?”
“I’ve been telling her that I’m excited you’re considering dating because you have tragic taste in women and for you to finally pick someone I like means the Jedis are smiling.”
Lauren stilled. “The Jedis, huh?”
“Every reference Avery knows is Star Wars,” Jake muttered. “It’s ridiculous.”
“I have plenty of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings ones, too. Don’t fret.” I patted his cheek. “You’re going to the clerk’s office to push her, right?”
Jake scowled. “I said I would question her. I meant it. She’s a tired woman, though. She’s sick. I’m not going to browbeat her.”
“She did look a little run down,” I conceded. “In fact, when I saw her, I thought ‘Even the Whomping Willow wouldn’t hit that.’” I grinned as Jake glowered. “And there’s your Harry Potter reference for the day. See. I’m more than one thing.”
Lauren laughed so hard she bent over at the waist. “Oh, that was funny.”
Jake made a face. “Don’t encourage her. As for you, Avery, I’ll talk to the clerk.
I want to see those documents.”
“They’re at the house but Eliot has copies on his computer. Stop in to his store.”
“Fine.” Jake rolled his neck. “The election is tomorrow. That means things are going to be tense tonight. Do you think you can stay out of trouble until after the election?”
“Did you just meet me? I have no intention of staying out of trouble.”
“Ugh.”
“Yeah.” I offered up a happy wave. “I’ll see you around. Take her to a nicer place for a date next time, Jake. I expected better of you given the prime woman I’ve placed in front of you.”
Jake extended a warning finger. “Go away.”
“That’s what I’m doing, but not because you want me to. I have things to do.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
FAWN STOOD NEXT TO Eliot as he worked on his computer when I walked into the pawnshop. I took a moment to glare at her – dislike practically oozing from every pore – and then skirted the edge of the display case so I could join them.
“You need to be invited behind the displays,” Fawn noted. “Only workers are allowed back here.”
I ignored her. “What are you doing?”
“Running a search.” Eliot finished typing something in a search window and then turned his full attention to me. “Did anything happen after I left?”
I considered lying but that seemed like a bad idea. “Lauren and I talked.”
“About what?”
“Me crashing their date. She doesn’t think it’s a good idea for me to make that a regular occurrence.”
“Given the number of our dates Jake has crashed since we got together, I don’t really care how many of their dates you interrupt. She seemed a bit nervous. Did she think you were going to rat her out to Jake?”
“You know what, that didn’t even come up.” I was surprised when I realized the truth behind the statement. “I would’ve jumped all over me in her position. She doesn’t know me well enough to realize I would never turn over on a source. As far as she knows, I could have extremely loose lips.”
Extra! Extra! Dead All About It Page 24
