Page 151 of Sin With Me

Chapter11

Emma

This town heldas many secrets as the Pyramids. I felt a constant buzz of excitement slowly simmering inside me. The little research I’d done at the town hall only increased the number of questions I had – especially about a quiet town girl named Missy Thrope, and whether her connection to Huntz was just a coincidence. But in my line of work, chances were that Missy was part of the puzzle I’d been trying to solve of why Huntz was after Eric’s family. Eric Waters and his case had me more interested than anything I could find back in New York. I had an inexplicable need to learn more about him, to see the way he lived, and help him and his family heal from the kidnapping ordeal. Everywhere I turned, it seemed there was new information to add to my iPad. I’d already introduced myself to Sheriff Lowes and his protruding beer belly, and met Mrs. Gladden as I passed by her bakery. Both were chatty and willing to fill me in with the latest gossip (which gave me the feeling I was it at the moment) and point me toward the general goods store.

I strolled between the store’s aisles, looking at jean shorts and plaid shirts, stacking them over my arm when the sales lady came over. Little did she know, she was the exact person I needed to speak with. Despite being dark, her eyes drew me in like a lighthouse – they were so familiar and soothing, I couldn’t help but be drawn tothem.

“You’re new in town, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Yes, my name is Emma. I’m Eric’s friend. Do you knowhim?”

She smiled politely before saying, “Everyone knows everyone around here. I’m Missy.”

“It’s nice to meet you. Can you tell me where I can buy a cowgirl hat? I think I’ll be staying here for a while, and would love to fitin.”

“Sure, let me help you with these first.” She took the clothes I was holding and brought them to the front counter. I then followed her petite hunched figure to the side wall. Her baggy clothes overwhelmed her entire body, making her look twice the size she really was. “You look like someone who doesn’t have trouble fitting in anywhere,” she remarked.

“Thank you. You’re so sweet. I think we’re going to be good friends.”

She froze for a moment, lowering hergaze.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“No, it’s just that I don’t have many friends.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Why not? This town seems quite hospitable. And you seem like a very nice person. Trust me, I can read people.”

She shrugged, grabbing a cowgirl hat off a rack. “Here, will this onedo?”

I ignored her, saying, “Well, I need a new friend, and so I’m officially making you one. Please?”

“All right, but what do Ido?”

Has this girl never had a friend? If she was who I thought she was, her childhood had probably been rougher than I – or anyone – suspected. I still had to confirm my findings, and it surprised me no one else had questioned her. It seemed Missy had a way of keeping quiet on purpose, hiding her identity; or perhaps she simply didn’t want to draw attention to herself for other reasons. I doubted anyone else in this town had even noticed that she wore contact lenses that changed her eye color. I’d seen the lenses enough times when agents at our company, including my brothers, had gone under cover. They weren’t the prescription kind – they hid the natural eye color, and Missy’s definitely wasn’t brown. I wasn’t sure whether running into Missy was fate or instinct, but from the information I’d already gathered at the town hall, she could possibly help me find Huntz.

Her raggedy clothes were like a collage of long-sleeved shirts on top of t-shirts on top of tank tops paired with a long layered skirt, all beige and brown, non-eye-catching colors blending in with the background. Others might not have been able to see it, but this girl was in hiding.

“Well, we definitely should hang out. What’s there to do in thistown?”

“Not much. We have the summer fest the weekend after next. You should come,” she offered, her eyes nearly sparkling. I doubted she got a chance to get excited over much, and my visiting here appeared welcome.

“What’sthat?”

“It’s a celebration before the fallfest.”

Well, that explains it!It took all my strength not to roll my eyes. But Missy was a smart girl. As if she knew what I was thinking, she added, “Everyone in town gets together at the beginning of every season to celebrate it.” She picked up a pamphlet off the counter and handed it tome.

“All right, I’ll let Eric know. Will I see you there?”

“Yes, I’m coming. I’m helping out with thepies.”

“And please add these to the bill,” I picked up a pair of laced panties that had caught my eye, dangling them on my finger. At that same moment I noticed Eric, there with another hunk watchingus.

“Who’s that with Eric?” I asked.

“Oh, that’s Derek Fields.” She blushed. “They’ve been best buddies since the day they came back. And before then of course too. It’s a smalltown.”

“Came back from where?”

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