Page 36 of Engaging with Her Enemy

“You'll find it. Take it out of your own money. I don't care. That's how much I need to get my girlfriend settled until I can find another job.” He ran a hand over his greasy hair before wiping it down the front of his filthy white shirt. “Thirty. Now.”

“Fine.” Hudson took a step backward. “Are you coming or just going to stand in the open like this?” Dozens of men stood around, watching the exchange.

Barry took quick steps to catch up with Hudson, the gun still pointed at him. “You write it from your personal account. I know you're good for it. Rich, city boy.”

He didn't want to point out that most of his money was tied up in money market accounts, but the check would be canceled before Barry made it to a bank anyway. “Fine. Fine. Just relax.”

Hudson slowly took out his checkbook from the computer bag he carried, keeping his voice casual like writing a check for dry cleaning. “Make it out to you?”

“Cash,” Barry said, a sneer turning his features even more sinister. He nudged Hudson with the barrel of the gun. “Hurry it up before those two-bit cops show up.”

“Alright. Alright.” He wouldn't risk Barry doing something stupid like shooting at Cameron or Dewey or another man on the team. He'd brought the man into Statem. He'd risk being shot before letting harm come to someone else.

Barry looked away for a split second.

Hudson reached for the gun.

* * *

Mrs. Iris satbehind the counter, handing Dewey Mitchell a cup of coffee. “Thank you,” he said. “Big plans today, Ms. Iris?”

“I hope Eliza brings Carrie by later. I promised the little girl I'd take her with me to get a manicure.” Mrs. Iris shook her head. “That is the sweetest little girl. I sure have enjoyed having her around.”

“I agree.” Becky leaned on the counter. “I'm pretty sweet, too. You don't want to take me with you to get a manicure?”

Dewey laughed into his coffee cup. “Sweet? You?”

Becky straightened. “I can be sweet.”

“I heard you wererealsweet to Hudson this morning.”

Mrs. Iris leaned over the counter, her eyes wide. “Hudson? Why haven't I heard about this?”

“Probably because she didn't have to call you for a favor not to arrest Hudson so he could make it to work on time.” Dewey set his cup down, humor in his eyes. “She requested a personal police escort. Cameron jumped on the opportunity before I even had an option.”

“Thanks, Dewey. Discussing my sex life is exactly what I wanted to do this morning.”

Ms. Iris’s mouth fell into a little 'o' as she glanced at Becky. “I had no idea y'all werethatserious.”

Becky snapped her fingers. “Let’s talk about your sex life. Oh, wait, you don’t have one.”

Dewey waved off the insult. Nothing ever ruffled the man. “Like I’d tell you. Wouldn’t want you to feel bad.”

“Children,” Ms. Iris warned.

Dewey's police radio crackled. “Shots fired. All units respond out to the old mill, Hwy 71 construction site.”

“Hudson!” Bile rose into Becky's throat as she recognized the address. Shots fired? Who the hell would be shooting out there? Barry? Tommy?

Dewey slammed his coffee down and sprinted out to his patrol car, Becky hot on his heels. He pointed at her, the easy-going man from a moment ago had disappeared. “Stay here.”

“That's where Hudson's office is. Barry threatened him the other night—”

“I don't care. You'll be in the way.” He sat down in his car and shouted, “I'll arrest you if you come out there.” He sped away from the curb, siren blaring and lights flashing.

Ms. Iris put her arm around Becky's shoulder for comfort. Or maybe restraint. “Come back inside. Dewey's right. You'll be in the way. You don't need them distracted.”

Ms. Tanya jogged down the street from the library. “Did you hear?” Another patrol car, her husband, Sheriff Jimmy Dempsey, raced out of town, siren and lights going.

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