When the Dead Speak by Bailey Bradford (books to read to increase intelligence txt) 📗

Virginia shook her head as Laine took his seat. “No, we sure can’t, and I’m sorry for that, believe me.” Virginia looked at them and gave them a half-hearted smile. “That girl’s my flesh and blood, and she’s had a hard life, but that don’t excuse her behavior. I am sorry, Sheriff. I apologize to all of y’all.”

“Wasn’t your fault, Virginia.” Laine wanted to say more. He’d like to know what was running through Virginia’s head about Irma’s accusations, but it was better to let it drop.

“I own the place, I put that girl to work here, so it is my fault, in a way.” Virginia patted Laine’s shoulder. “I know you were helping a friend, and there ain’t a thing wrong with that. Nothing wrong if you don’t find girls appealing, either—”

Laine’s heart skipped a beat.

“But that ain’t no one’s business but your own, and I don’t know anything one way or the other—except you three eat free today.”

Laine nodded and concentrated on breathing past the lump of fear in his throat. The door to the café opened, bells tinkling. Doreen stormed through the doorway and immediately found Laine. She pointed at him.

“You need to have Virginia pack up your lunch and head back to the office.” Doreen’s tone brooked no argument. Laine felt like a kid being sent to his room by his mother. It got his hackles up, something that, if he wasn’t careful, would get his butt chewed unless he handled it carefully. He glared at Zeke and Brendon, who were both snickering at him across the booth, then faced Doreen.

“Doreen, I’m not ten.”

Doreen actually snorted at him, which resulted in more snickering from his two friends. “No, but you have someone waiting there to talk to you, and I don’t need you here witnessing me. Irma Jean!”

Irma came out of the kitchen carrying her purse and froze, looking more than a little scared. Doreen nodded at Laine. “You get your food and go, and I promise not to break any laws.”

Irma bolted for the kitchen, only to be dragged back out by Virginia, one hand locked around Irma’s forearm, the other carrying a to-go box.

“Here you go, Sheriff.” Virginia waved the box at him when Irma dug in her heels and refused to take another step closer. “Take it and go. I won’t let anything happen.”

Laine scooted out of the booth, keeping Doreen in sight. Obviously, she’d heard about Irma’s accusations—and there’d only been one other person here when Irma had started her ranting, which meant… Laine’s stomach quivered with nervousness as he took the box from Virginia. He couldn’t decide whether he was excited or terrified by the prospect of talking to the man who’d been here earlier, and couldn’t figure out why he’d be either.

“Look, Doreen, don’t…don’t do anything rash. I’d hate to have to lock you up.”

Doreen laughed and shook her head. “You won’t have to—this time. Now, you need to get back.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Laine felt reassured by the fact Doreen had never assaulted anyone before—that he was aware of. God knew, it would have taken a stronger man than him to report it if she had. He glanced at Zeke and Brendon as he pushed the door open. What’s with those smirks? Laine left and tapped the glass beside his friends’ booth as he walked past, wishing he could reach through and thump those looks off their faces.

Once he was sure he was out of their sight, he sped up, just stopping himself from jogging. Guess that answers one question. I wouldn’t be in such a hurry if I was terrified, now, would I?

Taking a moment to try to calm his racing heart, Laine stopped a few feet from the door. He took several deep breaths before he felt ready to face the man—Severo Adulio Robledo, per Brendon— inside. Well, as ready as he was going to be. Laine opened the door and entered the building, the Styrofoam box in his hand making a crunching noise as he unconsciously clenched it. He thought his eyes might just bulge out of his head when he saw the figure sitting in Doreen’s chair, arms up and hands behind his head, feet propped up on Doreen’s desk.

“You’d better thank God it was me instead of Doreen who walked in.”

The man smiled and Laine’s heart sped up. His cock twitched at the way that smile lit the guy up, making an attractive face dropdead gorgeous, those pale eyes gleaming.

“She left me in charge when she ran off to play white knight.” Severo lowered his feet and hands, then stood, that bright smile still in place. “Figured since I wasn’t getting paid, I might as well get comfortable. Those chairs over there suck.”

Laine tried to keep his gaze on Severo’s face, but damn, the little guy had some broad shoulders! “Yeah, well, small town budget and all. Come on back—” Or maybe his office was a bad idea. His step faltered and he was about to tell Severo that they were going to stay in the front instead, when the man’s smile widened.

“Scared?”

Oh, hell no! Laine met Severo’s gaze and swallowed his sarcastic reply. The man was trying to goad him, and Laine wasn’t going to play. He didn’t even glare—much. Laine opened the door to his office and headed for his desk, aware of Severo behind him. He’d swear he could feel the man scoping him out…scoping his ass out, mostly.

“Have a seat.” Laine set his lunch on the desk and sat, pointing at Severo. “But keep your damned feet off my desk.”

“Yessir.” Severo plopped into one of the two chairs in front of Laine’s desk, tossing Laine a lazy salute. Instead of irritating him, it made Laine want to smile, though he didn’t. Not even when Severo gave him a wink.

“Why are you here, Severo?” Laine might not have smiled, but his dick had perked up and it wasn’t going to soften any at all in the next few minutes. Best to