Page 30 of Loving My Enemy

Ty stood with a whistle and a shake of his head. “If you’re looking for something that will tell you that you weren’t wrong for being an asshole to her, I don’t think you’ll find it.”

I didn’t want to hear that even if I couldn’t deny it. Entirely. “You don’t find the insurance thing even a little suspicious?”

“On its own, no. You ever think that maybe the family used her college money to take care of the sick brother and this was their way of paying her back?”

Shit, I hadn’t thought of that. “But running away from her parents?”

“You lived in New Orleans for years. Were you running away?”

I growled. “No, I was living my life.”

He flashed another of those smug damn smiles and smacked the side of the door. “Give Elka some space, man. No one is making a legal complaint against her, so what does it matter? You and I both know you can’t legally claim a life insurance policy if you aren’t the beneficiary.”

I don’t know how long I sat behind my desk and stared at the ugly green door that offered up a hint of privacy from the hub of activity on the other side of it, but Ty had given me a lot to think about.

Which only pissed me off even more. Ty had come up with two plausible explanations without any effort, meanwhile I was stuck trying to prove my own theory. It went against everything I ever learned as an investigator. More proof of just how much she was in my head.

Maybe Ty was right about one thing. I needed distance.

Chapter 18

Elka

Another day and another trip to the post office made my life feel like a twisted version ofGroundhog Day, but there was a kind of comfort to be found in something so predictable. I knew there would be a few of the old guys sitting outside talking about the water, The War—though it was never clearwhichwar—and playing cards. I also knew that inside the post office, Bobby and Sheryl would be bickering over which Batman was the best. “Hey, Bobby. Hey, Sheryl. Who are we debating today?”

“Christian Bale,” he said, disgust tripping from every syllable. “Can you believe she had the gall to even mention that man to me?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, Bobby. Heisthe hottest Batman.”

Bobby threw his hands up in the universal gesture for defeat and waved me over. “Just because your taste in superheroes is terrible, doesn’t mean you aren’t a sweet girl. Business is going well?”

“Seems to be. I’ve been spending more time advertising and I guess it’s paying off.” It was nice that at least one thing in mylife was turning out okay. Maybe the next move would be the one that stuck.

“Those candles of yours are dangerous. Thought the wife was making pie. She wasn’t,” he said, shoulders slumped in disappointment.

“All the delicious scent of pie without any of the calories.”

Bobby grumbled because he wasn’t a guy who worried about things like calories, not with his lanky frame and strong wiry arms. “I’d rather have both.” He scanned each of my packages and we went through the tracking numbers box by box. “All done.” He stacked my new order of packing supplies on the edge of the counter and nodded.

“Thank you, Bobby.” I leaned in when Sheryl disappeared to the back and grinned. “Michael Keaton is my all-time favorite Batman.” He flashed a satisfied smile and I gave him a wave as I walked back out into another beautiful day in Tulip.

And right into another person. “Oh, excuse me.”

“No worries. You’re just who I’m looking for, Elka.”

I stared at the man, cataloging his features from his greasy hair to his overgrown facial hair. I didn’t recognize him and alarm bells went off in my head until there was a safe distance between us. I took another quick snapshot of his face and turned away, walking in the opposite direction.

I heard his determined footsteps behind me. “Your parents hired me.”

“I don’t have parents,” I told him simply, even though I knew he wasn’t the type to back down easily.

“Funny, because I’ve seen photos of you together. A real happy family, or so it seemed.” His legs were longer than mine, but I was determined to get the hell away from him. I turned again, heading back towards the post office. “So what’s the deal? You decided you wanted the money more than you wanted your brother?”

“Leave me alone,” I growled through gritted teeth because this guy was seriously starting to piss me off. “You’ve been warned.”

“I’m just trying to talk to you. If you prefer, I can ask your friends what I need to know, but I’m guessing you don’t want that.” His hand wrapped around my shoulder, stopping me instantly. “Do you?”

“You were warned, asshole.” I yanked my hand from my pocket and produced the can of pepper spray I picked up at a military surplus store. I depressed the button right in his face. “Leave. Me. Alone.” I ran inside the post office, hoping I would receive the same warm welcome this time.

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