Page 28 of Buried Too Deep

“Yes, but I need to eat first. I skipped breakfast and I really should eat.”

“She gets hangricidal,” Tandy said, patting Cora’s arm. “Like hangry on steroids.”

Cora glared at her best friend. “I do not.”

“She gets real whiny, too,” Tandy added. “Like she is right now.”

That was fair. “Where can I find a deli or a restaurant nearby?”

“I’ll make you a sandwich,” Burke offered. “Will that do?”

She smiled at the big man. “Yes, thank you.”

When Burke had gone into his kitchen, Cora met Phin’s gaze. “Are you okay to work on my house today? You’ve had a really crummy morning, too.”

Phin’s nod was resolute. “Keeping my hands occupied is always good. Can SodaPop come with me?”

Cora smiled. “Of course she can. I’ll put Blue in one of the upstairs rooms while she’s visiting. I know service dogs shouldn’t socialize with other dogs if possible.”

“I don’t think an afternoon of socialization will harm SodaPop’s training,” Delores said with a smile. “I trained her myself, and she’s been around other dogs.”

“Then I guess you’re fixin’ to visit the Garden District,” Cora told Phin.

Phin smiled and Cora found herself staring. The man had a broody, dangerous bad-boy vibe, but when he smiled, he seemed young and carefree.

“I love those old houses in the Garden District,” he said. “I repair things over there occasionally. Burke’s had me doing repairs on this place for a few years now.”

Cora returned his smile, feeling a sense of ease for the first time in a long time. She wondered why he’d seemed so surprised when Burke had asked him to do the upgrade, but then she remembered the exchange in the car. For a moment Burke had believed that this man had hurt Joy. A fleeting moment, but a moment nonetheless.

He was big and dark and a scowl seemed to be his resting face. I should be afraid of him.

Her smile must have faltered, because Phin abruptly sobered.

“I scared you earlier, outside the police station,” he said quietly. “If you don’t want me to come to your house, I understand.”

Cora blinked, wondering if her feelings were that transparent.

But she wasn’t afraid. There was pain in this man, deep down. PTSD, he’d said. Bad enough that he needed a service dog. But she sensed a gentleness there, too. And Joy’s daughters had said he was safe. That would be good enough for the afternoon.

“I’m not afraid of you,” she said honestly. “Not like this. But what will happen if you have another episode? Do you get…violent?”

“No,” Delores said softly. “He always runs off before it gets bad.”

Phin looked away. His feelings were also transparent. He was ashamed and that made Cora want to help him.

“Will you have any warning if you’re about to have an episode?” she asked.

Phin reached for his dog. “That’s what SodaPop’s for. Early detection. And distraction.”

“Will you look at me?” She waited until he did, then looked him square in the eye. “Have you ever hurt someone?”

He didn’t blink. “Yes. Once. Five years ago.”

“Phin was hurt worse,” Stone said loyally. “The other guy started it, then shot Phin when he defended himself. Phin ended up in the hospital and the other guy just had a bruised jaw.”

Phin was watching her intensely, waiting for her verdict.

She should ask for someone else. She really should. But the man’s eyes were clear and honest. And more than a little vulnerable.

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