Page 56 of Defend Me

“Stan’s a libertarian. He hates capitalists.”

Von ponders this information for a moment. She glances at me. I swear I see her eyes flit to my chest. The faintest trace of pink highlights her cheeks as she picks up her wineglass. “What do you suggest?”

I stab a piece of lamb with my fork and chew. Normally, I’d ask the sheriff for help, but that’s obviously not an option here. Stan respects Magnolia Bay law enforcement. So maybe I could get a deputy on my side. Which begs the question, who at the department would be willing to help me?

I can only think of one option.

“I’ve got an idea,” I say.

I pick up my phone and call Derek.

“Noah?” he answers, sounding surprised

“Hey Derek. Sorry to call so late. I was wondering if you could do me a favor.”

I hold my breath as there’s a long pause on the other end of the line.

“What do you need?” Derek says at last.

“Von and I need to talk to Stan Jefferson. Think you could come with us? Help…facilitate the conversation?”

I’m not sure what Derek thought I’d ask for, but he sounds a little relieved by the request.

“Sure,” he says. “But…why?”

I hesitate. How much can I trust Derek? I decide I don’t have any other option. “We think he might be able to help with some information about the real killer.”

There’s another long pause.

“I don’t think the sheriff would approve of me getting involved with something like that.”

My stomach sinks. “No, probably not.” And Derek has never had the strongest backbone. Defying the sheriff isn’t in his wheelhouse.

I hear him take a deep breath. “My next day off is Sunday. Could you come out here then?”

My heart leaps. “Yes!” I cry. It’s Friday. We can wait a day. “No problem at all. Sunday is perfect.”

I give Von a thumbs up.

“It’s been calmer here since the press left, but man, EverlyHarris really has it out for you,” Derek says. “There’ve been articles in theBeeevery week. Mrs. Greerson is pissed. Alistair has been doing a good job refuting them, but it’s you the people want to hear from. It’ll be good to have you back in town. It’s like everyone forgot what a standup guy you are—that you’ve helped each of them in some way or another. They’re buying into what Everly is saying, how you’re acting suspiciously just because you won’t sit for an interview.”

I can’t believe Everly is trying to make a name for herself by disparaging me. But, I remind myself, I have an ironclad alibi. And maybe once the people of Magnolia Bay see me again, they’ll remember I’m not a stranger or a suspect but a neighbor and a friend.

“Gotta run,” Derek says. “See you Sunday.”

“See you then,” I say. “Thanks, Derek.”

I hang up and Von is looking at me expectantly.

“Well?” she says.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

VON

I spend all of Saturday at the office.

It feels impossible to be around Noah since that moment in the kitchen. Like a Band-Aid has been ripped off and now the feelings I’ve been working to suppress are pouring out into the open. I can’t staunch them. Dinner was agony last night. I looked at his mouth and wanted to take it with my own. I saw him muss his hair and wanted to twine my fingers through it. I watched him clear the table and goddammit Grayson was right about his traps. The corded muscle vanished beneath the neckline of his cotton tee, tempting me with the memory of him shirtless.

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