Page 122 of It Runs in the Family

His question caught me off guard, and so did the tears that suddenly sprang to my eyes. My voice broke as I said, “You’ll have to be more specific.”

Boone reached over, grabbed my free hand, and held on.

“We’ll deal with your financial situation later,” he said. “The more immediate concern is your safety. Where are you?”

“I’m safe.”

“That’s not what I asked,” he said, his tone becoming more stern. “I asked where you were.”

Boone was approaching downtown, so I said, “Downtown Chaffney.”

“And how did you get there? Your car’s still in the parking lot.”

This was not going to end well. “I caught a ride.”

“With who?”

“I got an Uber this morning.” Technically not a lie.

“You took an Uber downtown,” he said in disbelief. “And you said you also took one to your apartment at seven-thirty this morning?”

Well, shit. The only way he would know what time I’d been there was if he’d talked to my neighbor.

“Who was the guy you were with, Iris?” he asked, his voice firm.

He’d used my real name because he meant business. A tear slid down my cheek, and Boone squeezed my hand, trying to get my attention.

I turned to face him and he mouthed, “Tell him you’re with a Texas Ranger.”

My eyes flew wide.

He nodded, mouthing, “Do it.”

I drew in a deep breath, hoping to settle my shaky nerves. “He’s a Texas Ranger.”

“You’re with a Texas Ranger?” His previous disbelief had been replaced by shock.

“He’s investigating Selena and…”

Boone shook his head as he started to park in a parallel parking spot on the street.

“She’s mixed up in something,” I said. “He found out I’ve been lookin’ for her and showed up at my apartment about the time I got there. He saw what happened and took me with him.”

“Are you in trouble?” he asked, worry in his voice.

“No. He said it wasn’t safe to stay there, so he took me with him.”

He was silent for a moment. “That’s not standard procedure, Irie. He’d have you call someone and have them come get you. Or possibly take you to them. Not take you with him.”

“He’s been askin’ me questions about Selena,” I said.

“You’re sure you’re not in trouble?”

“Yeah. Positive. I’ll let you know when I’m done with him.”

“Okay, but if you feel uneasy, you can leave. Or call an attorney.”

“I can’t afford an attorney, Garrett,” I said with a self-deprecating laugh.