Page 11 of Down and Dirty

“He’s not the killer,” Jimbo announced and handed me a pack of peanut butter crackers. “And I can tell you haven’t eaten today.”

I sighed. Jimbo was right. He could sense when my sugar was out of whack. It was part of his charm. I tore the cracker package open and offered one to the killer. He took one and smiled as he took a bite. I frowned as I ate mine. “If you’re not the killer, then who are you?”

“Your future husband.” He grinned.

I covered my mouth as I began to choke on a cracker. Jimbo dumped my cold coffee and poured me a fresh cup before handing it to me to wash down the remnants.

“Quit trying to scare her, Daniels.” Jimbo sighed. “Faith Bennett, this is Detective Keaton Daniels. Daniels, this is Faith Bennett, my best friend.”

Keaton’s gaze lingered on mine.

I reluctantly held out my hand. His hand engulfed mine. The heat from his palm reached his gaze as it lingered on me, tunneling us as if we were the only two people in the room. Something dark and welcoming flashed beneath the depths. A little bit of danger and something else I couldn’t quite pinpoint, just out of reach.

“Faith,” Jimbo said, pulling me from my thoughts. “The sheriff had to tell him your secret when Daniels demanded we arrest you.”

“You’re the reason I woke up in cuffs? Ha,” I blurted out. “I think they should arrest you for stalking me.” I grinned and moved through the kitchen, grabbing the ingredients for a proper breakfast.

Jimbo started to help and we talked in typical easy banter like every other typical morning, except the extra set of eyes in the kitchen made me nervous. He was watching me. I could feel it. I threw some bacon in the oven and started cooking eggs and pancakes.

“We came here to ask you question, not to eat,” Keaton said.

“I don’t answer questions before I eat breakfast,” I glanced over my shoulder. “It is the most important meal of the day.”

Keaton reluctantly ate while watching Jimbo and I tried to agree on which movie to see on his next day off. He’d waited until I took my last bite and was sipping more coffee before he spoke.

“Now can we discuss the reason we’re here?” Keaton’s question was more like a demand.

“Of course, please proceed.” I grinned and waved my hand.

“There’s a killer,” Keaton said. His smooth dark voice reached all of my girly parts.

“I know,” I answered.

“I don’t think she’s going to take this seriously,” Keaton said.

“The coroner reported the victim was killed only an hour prior to you two finding her, Faith,” Jimbo said.

“That sounds about right,” I said. “Her spirit showed up when Cassie was trying to find Talia.”

Jimbo cleared his throat, and I understood then that he might have told my secret but not the secrets belonging to the rest of the family.

“Who’s Talia?” Keaton asked.

“Faith’s sister,” Jimbo answered.

“I was close to catching him last night until you showed up,” Keaton announced.

I tilted my head. “Tell your lies elsewhere. You weren’t chasing anyone when I showed up, Detective. You were standing over Ann’s body.”

“I was on his trail. Why do you think I was at the dump?”

“Throwing away your garbage? Or maybe you were looking for treasures. Oh wait! Were you hiding a body?” I peered at him, watching his response. “Hell if I know.”

“Faith,” Jimbo cut in, snagging the last piece of bacon from the plate. “I think what Daniels is trying to say is that he showed up outside your house last night to check on you. He was worried. Isn’t that right?”

“Sure,” Keaton answered.

“What do you want from me?” I asked.

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