Page 152 of It Runs in the Family

I might not like lying, but that didn’t mean I was in any mood to offer up this particular truth. Evasion seemed safer. “How would I find out about a dead woman wearing a bracelet? Do you know how paranoid that sounds?”

“So, it’s pure coincidence that you were askin’ about the exact same bracelet a dead woman was wearing, just hours after the woman’s body was found?”

I propped my hands on my hips. “What exactly are you accusin’ me of, Garrett?”

“I don’t know!” he shouted in exasperation.

“Then how would I know such a thing?”

“I don’t know that either!”

“There are such things as coincidences,” I said, even though I knew this one wasn’t, which made me feel guilty as sin.

“I’m tired,” I said, heading into the kitchen. “I’m gonna fix me a plate. Do you want something too?”

“You don’t have to wait on me, Irie,” he said, his tone softening.

“I know, but you’ve had a long day, and who knows how long I’ll be stayin’ with you, so it’s the least I can do.”

I fixed us both dinner plates with leftover coleslaw, potato salad, and some pulled pork someone had brought the night before.

Thinking about the cookout made me think something else.

“What do you think about Cal Pruett?” I called to him. I still wasn’t sure I wanted to admit I knew the report hadn’t been filed. Maybe I could feel my way into it.

Garrett was quiet before he asked, “What makes you ask about him?”

“Seein’ this food from the cookout. Is it that he doesn’t like women who have opinions, or is he just an overall asshole?”

Garrett moved to the doorway to the kitchen and laughed. “All of the above.”

“Was that why he was so dismissive when Stella suggested there was a cartel in the area?”

He stepped forward and took one of the plates, then held my gaze. “Are you worried about a cartel bein’ in the area?”

I watched for his reaction when I asked, “Should I be?”

His eyes shuttered. “You live a normal life, Irie. If a cartel was in the area, you wouldn’t need to worry about them.”

“I’m not sure it’s been so normal lately. Why do you think my apartment was broken into? Really?”

He pressed his lips together. “Honestly? I think it has something to do with Selena. The man who tried to kidnap you was askin’ about her. They were looking for one or both of you. And possibly lookin’ for something else.”

“What else could they be lookin’ for?”

“That’s just it. I don’t know.” He carried his plate over to the small kitchen table. “Do you?”

“How would I know? I saw myself murdered by the guy at the Stop-n-Go, then I started askin’ around about Selena. What could the men who broke in be lookin’ for?”

He shook his head. “I wish I knew. Then I could protect you better.” He took a bite of his food. Once he swallowed, he said, “I want you to stay with Granny tomorrow.”

I stabbed a potato. “Okay.”

“No argument?” he asked in surprise.

I gave him a tight smile. “Nope. In fact, I’ve been thinkin’ I should move in with her until I can get a job and it’s safe to be alone.”

His face softened. “You’re welcome to stay with me, Irie.”