Page 36 of Her Passionate Hero

“And your name is?” Ernie asked the woman.

“Beatrice Price. I live over there,” she said, indicating the pea green house. “I’m the president of the neighborhood watch. With what happened to poor Aliana, I would have thought there would have been more of a police presence.”

“You’re absolutely right, ma’am.” Ernie looked chagrined. “There was a mistake on the address. From now on there will be a patrol car coming by at least every hour if not more often.”

“That’s good.” She turned to Hunter. “But you’re staying?”

“Yes, until my friend arrives.”

“He is in the Army too?”

“Navy. We’re both in the Navy.” He saw Ernie smirk out of the corner of his eye. Apparently, he had looked up his record.

“Have you ever fought? Because these bastards used a bomb. Aliana needs strong protection.”

“Yes, ma’am, I’ve fought. So has my friend. We know what we’re doing.”

“I’m trusting you.”

“I appreciate that, and I won’t let you down.” It took everything he had not to chuckle. He needed to treat her concerns with the utmost respect, but for real?

“I’ll be watching you. As long as you do a good job, I’ll bring you coffee and treats.”

“What about me?” Ernie asked.

“You screwed up. You didn’t earn it.” With that, she turned and left.

“Be happy, the coffee is godawful,” Hunter said with a grin as soon as she was out of earshot.

“She’s a hoot.”

“God save me from little old ladies.”

“What do you mean?” Ernie asked.

“I mean that I have my grandmother’s book club planning to get information on who is after Aliana.”

“What?” Ernie looked incredulous. “Did you say grandmother?”

“Not just Mamie, but her book club. I think there are ten of them. I’ve been invited to a meeting, they’re serving German chocolate cake. The hell of it is, I think they might have some useful info.”

“No way. They need to stay the fuck out of this,” Ernie said vehemently.

“I’ll try to dissuade them.”

“Invite me. I’ll get the point across.”

“I’m with Beatrice, you screwed up, you didn’t earn it.”

“Watch it. I’m the cop in this neighborhood, don’t think you can come in here and run roughshod over this investigation. You’re out of line.”

“Well, you’re doing a shitty job.”

“Really? Have you gotten her to tell you who assaulted her last week? Because if you did that would sure help us figure out who planted the bomb yesterday.”

“Assault? What assault?”

“Her throat and chest were cut. She required stitches.”