Page 48 of It Runs in the Family

“What was Selena doing at T-Birds in a dress like this and climbing into a fancy car?” He shook his head.

“She was with a guy who looked like a high roller with a fancy suit and haircut.”

His eyes widened. “Was it the guy from your vision?”

“I didn’t see his face. Maybe.”

“This wasn’t taken at T-Birds,” he said as he studied the photo. “Do you think it was taken wherever she went to after she left?”

“Maybe. Probably.”

Garrett sat back on his sofa with a pensive look. “How did they know you were connected to Selena?”

“He mentioned me running after her at T-Birds, but I called out her name so they must not have been close enough to hear me. I told him I thought she was a friend from school but was mistaken. He didn’t believe it.”

“So, we know how he linked you to Selena, but how did he know where to find you?”

I wrapped my arms around my chest as a shiver ran through me. “I have no idea.”

He was quiet for a moment as he rubbed his temple then froze with his hand in place as he turned to face me. “Wait. You said you were at work. Did you get your job back?”

“No, I went to confront Mannie about getting me fired, but I waited until Lisa was there for her shift, so I’d have a witness.”

“Did he admit he was behind it?”

“Sure did. He lied to Jimmy because he wanted to take me to the new Taco Bell for a date.”

“Excuse me?”

I told him about the events that had led to Mannie getting me fired.

He drew in a deep breath as he took it all in. “So, you’ll get your job back?”

“Maybe. Probably, but I’m not sure I’m going to go back. I mean, how long have I been a dependable, reliable employee, and Jimmy just took Mannie’s word for it? With absolutely no proof?”

“You’re right.”

“Plus, Granny made a good point the other day about me wasting my life there. Maybe it’s time for me to start pursuing an actual career.”

Too bad I still had no idea what that might be.

He gave my shoulder a slight shove. “I’ve been telling you to get a better job for years.”

“Yeah, I know. I guess I’m a slow learner.”

He chuckled, and I leaned my head back against the cushion. “Garrett, can I stay here tonight?”

“Ha,” he said sarcastically. “You ask that as though you thought I’d actually let you leave.”

“I believe that’s called kidnapping, Deputy Riggs.”

“Better to be kidnapped by me than the guy in the parking lot.” He turned serious. “We need to file a report.”

I shook my head. “He didn’t have a weapon. It could be turned on me, and I could be charged with assault, because not only did I try to make him a eunuch, but I threw sand in his face.”

“You were threatened.”

“If I file a report, what’s going to happen? I’ll spend hours giving my account of what happened, and they’ll unsuccessfully look for non-existent video footage because Jimmy’s too cheap to replace the multiple broken cameras outside.”