Page 40 of Jolene's Justice

“Mibbe.” She laughed at his answer. “Can’t have you always comin’ down here. Up in my business. I know you’re messin’ with things at the house. We’re gonna have words about that.”

“No, we’re not. You need a safe place to come home to. That’s all we’re doing. And for Christ’s sake, hire a cleaning service or something.”

“Isne as bad as all that.”

“It was disgusting.”

“It was lived-in.”

“There were cockroaches.”

“That was just Charlie.” She snorted. Gorden had an answer for everything.

“And the other ones?”

“Mibbe he be havin’ a bevvy with his lads. A chance to get pished with the boys.”

“I don’t think cockroaches get drunk.”

“You never seen a blootered cockroach before?”

“Jesus, Da. You’ll say anything to excuse your aversion to household chores.”

With a knock, Finch returned to the room. “Everything okay?” she asked him.

“Yeah. Everything’s good.” There was something in his expression that told her he had more to say but didn’t want to say it in front of her dad. They’d decided not to tell him about the text threats or the accident the previous night. She didn’t want to worry her dad unnecessarily.

“Good. Now I’m knackered. Oan yer trolley.”

Finch had that look on his face again. The one that said he had no idea what Gorden just said.

“That’s his more pleasant way of telling us to get out.”

Finch chuckled. “Right. We’ll get out of your hair.”

“Get some rest, Da.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“See you on the morn.”

Once in their replacement rental car heading back to the house, Jolene asked about the phone call Finch had taken.

“It was Grady. They found the truck abandoned in an empty lot.”

“That’s good, right?”

“It was stolen.”

“Oh.” Another dead end. She wanted this over and hoped the truck would lead to somebody. She should have known better. This waiting on pins and needles thing was for the birds. She hadn’t gotten another text since the one this morning. It was only a matter of time before the next one came in.

“And there weren’t any cameras in the area.”

“Well, that sucks.”

Finch reached across the cab and grabbed her hand. “We’ll figure this out. Whoever this is will screw up eventually. In the meantime, I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”

She squeezed his hand tightly, feeling the rough texture of his skin against hers. She experienced a sense of safety and comfort in his touch, as if nothing could harm her while he was holding her hand.

“I’m glad you’re here with me.”

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