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Finally, I spoke. " Mandy, the flowers were beautiful. Thank you."
She turned, a practiced smile on her face. "It was the least I could do. We're all so worried about you." Her eyes searched mine, looking for... what? I wasn’t sure, but I felt a sudden unease, my detective experience taking hold.
I accepted the mug she handed me, the warmth seeping into my palms. "I appreciate it," I said, meeting her gaze evenly.
Mandy sat across from me, her smile unwavering. "So, you and Jake, huh?" Her tone was casual, but there was a sharpness to her words.
“Sorry?” I asked, knowing Jake hadn’t told her about us.
“Working together. After all this time.”
I sipped my coffee, considering my response. "Yeah, me and Jake."
She leaned forward, her elbows on the table. "He's a great guy. Been through a lot, you know?"
I nodded, the unspoken implication hanging in the air between us. "He is. And yes, he has."
Mandy's eyes flickered with something that wasn't entirely friendly. "Just... it's been tough on him, with Lexi and everything. He needs someone who understands."
The underlying message wasn't lost on me. "I understand him more than you think," I replied, my voice steady.
Mandy's smile faltered, then she recovered, laughing softly. "I'm sure you do. I just mean, it's good he has someone to come home to. Someone to take care of him. It’s not like you can come home with him after work to have some beer and watch TV together."
My grip on the mug tightened, but I kept my expression neutral. "He takes care of himself. We take care of each other."
There was a pause as we both sipped our coffee.
"Well, I'm just glad he's not alone," Mandy said, her tone sweet as syrup but with a bitter aftertaste. "After all, who knows what could happen, right?"
I set my mug down, the clink of ceramic on wood sharp in the quiet room. "That's right, Mandy. Who knows."
She stood, her movements a little too quick. "More coffee?"
I shook my head. "No, thank you. I should get going." As I stood up, ready to leave, a question tugged at the back of my mind. "Mandy, before I go, did you know Jude well?"
Mandy paused, her back still to me as she placed our mugs in the sink. "Already grilled Jake about him, didn't you?"
"Yeah, but you might remember something he didn’t. Anything could help."
She wiped her hands on a dish towel, leaning against the counter. "Like I told Jake, Jude was bad news. Even in high school, he was scary."
My brows shot up. "High school? I thought you all went to college together?"
"Did I say high school?" Mandy's laugh was hollow, her smile forced. "Sorry, I misspoke. College, of course."
I nodded slowly, watching her. She was fidgeting, a clear sign of nerves. "It's okay. If you remember anything else—"
"I'll tell Jake,” She cut in quickly.
I appreciated her offer, but as I walked to my car, I couldn't shake the feeling that Mandy was holding back. It was the way her eyes darted away when she mentioned high school, the way her hands trembled slightly.
Driving home, I turned the radio off, needing silence to think. Mandy's slip of the tongue about high school and Jude and her quick correction didn't sit right. I was sure she had information, but for whatever reason, she wasn't willing to share it with me.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that Mandy would never open up to me about Jude or anything else that could help. But Jake... she might talk to him, especially if she thought it would bring them closer.
I pulled into my driveway, the house too quiet. Every creak of the floorboards as I moved through the rooms felt louder than usual, echoing the turmoil in my mind.
I needed to talk to Jake, to tell him about Mandy's reaction, but it would have to wait. For now, I had to focus on what I could do alone. But damn, it was frustrating to think that an answer was being held just out of reach, guarded by someone whose motives I couldn't trust.
