Page 64 of Capture My Heart

Amy stopped chewing. “It makes sense. This would be the place for him. What’s your plan?”

“I don’t have one yet. Just doing some recon.” He said between bites.

“It looks like we could help each other out.”

Pauline Gardiner sauntered up to the table. “Cops again. I know you said we should catch up but really. It’s only a saying, Am.”

Trey remembered the woman from last time. Warm and fuzzy wasn’t in this woman’s demeanor, and by the shrewd look in her eye, neither was dense.

Amy slipped her hand across the table and into his. “I told him this was the best Italian restaurant in town.”

“True, but I’ve seen you more in the last two weeks than I have in the last ten years. Hell, I didn’t even see you that much during the trial.”

Direct shot. Amy squeezed his hand. He didn’t know how these two knew each other, but their relationship definitely went back further than her brother’s trial.

“Do you have an issue with police officers in your fine establishment?” His stare was as direct as his question. He had to give the woman credit. She didn’t flinch, but her stance softened.

“Not at all. Just this one.” She pointedly looked at Amy.

“We were friends once.”

“That was before. Please take your business somewhere else.” She turned on her heels and left.

“Well, that could have been worse.” Amy slid her hand back and shoved a forkful of lasagna in her mouth.

“It was pretty bad. Who was that?”

“Paulie.” At his blank stare she elaborated. “Pauline Gardiner. We were neighbors and friends growing up.”

The server discreetly dropped off the two to-go boxes and the check then slipped away.

“Until…?”

“Eleventh grade. I might have accused her family of illegal activities, and she didn’t believe me. What? I heard my mom and dad talking about it.”

He dropped some cash on the table and ushered Amy out the door.

Outside, he stopped her with a hand. “If they knew the Gardiners were dealing, then why did they let your brother work for them?”

“They didn’t. He was eighteen and needed the money.” She looked up at him. “And yes, I knew. I should have talked him out of it. But…”

“But you wanted to believe your friend's family was innocent?”

“Yes and no. I wanted to believe Paulie was innocent. I knew Stephen was as rotten as the leftovers in the back of my fridge.”

He understood but where did that leave them now? It’s not like he could hang out at his now favorite restaurant. Adam would recognize him anyway.

“No more lemon chicken. I guess I’ll have to order takeout from now on. What are you doing for dinner tomorrow? Want to come over for takeout?”

She shrugged. “I might as well. Maybe if we can catch your guy in the act, we’ll have a bargaining chip. Is he the type to squeal?”

“Oh yeah. He’s used to getting his way. The slightest pressure and he’ll pop like a zit.”

An evil smile crossed her face. “Just the way I like them.”

She was devious.

He liked it.