Page 55 of Sheltered by the Lawman

He smiled and winked. “It doesn’t really matter. I’ll take care of both women.”

She wrinkled her nose as if he was dirt on the bottom of her shoe. “You’ve had your chance to take care of her. You let my husband’s whore get away.”

“Honey, I had a piano wire in my hands sending your husband to his death bed. Should I have left him half alive so I could chase her down?” He blew out a long breath.

“This was supposed to go down simple. You said offering the reward would help me look like the sad wife wanting to catch her husband’s killer. She should be dead too! However, you bring in an outsider to help find her, which I still can’t understand. I swear, if that Cade shows up at my door again I’ll strangle you with my bare hands.”

He laughed. “Yeah, sure.”’

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She attempted to lift a brow.

“You don’t think inviting your booty call over two nights a week isn’t suspicious? If you get caught that’s from your own ignorance, not mine. It’s proven that all the money in the world doesn’t make you smart…or clever.”

“Who do you think you are?” She lifted her hand and drew it back, ready to slap him but he caught her wrist between two fingers and brought his free hand up to surround her neck. She gasped in shock. Tinman guessed not many people stood up to her.

Jonesy moved forward but Tinman growled, “I wouldn’t if I were you. I’ll snap this bitch’s neck before you can get to me. Now back off.”

“It’s okay, Jonesy. I’ve got this”

Tinman let go and pushed her slightly.

She fixed her clothing as if he’d torn at them. “What I do with my personal life is none of your business. You have twenty-four hours to take care of this or I’ll do it my way.” She stuck her purse under her arm pit.

“Yeah, what way is that? Whatever money can afford?”

“You’re wasting my time.”

“I want my money,” he demanded.

“Then do your job.” Her lips thinned into a straight line.

“I’ll find the real Monica and she’ll get what’s coming to her, but what about the mysterious bitch at Cade’s?”

“My God, you’re really like talking to a simpleton.”

Since Cade told him that he was keeping her at his house, Tinman had been on pins and needles waiting for this to blow up in his face. If she saw his face, why wasn’t Cade after him? It didn’t make sense. If anyone suspected that Tinman had been shot that would raise lots of suspicion. Up until now, he’d done a good job at keeping it hidden. Cade had kept thwarting the plans and Tinman was at the edge of his patience.

“Take care of them both and you’ll have your money. Fuck this up and you can kiss it goodbye. Please don’t make me have this conversation with you again. And something else, if you ever lay a finger on me again I’ll have Jonesy cut your tongue out and stick it up your ass.”

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