Page 22 of Sour Layer

“Oh, I get it. That’s why the attitude. See my sisters and I would be the same way. We look out after each other, and we’d hide the bodies if need be…” Mercy glanced at Clark. “Pretend you didn’t hear that. They were all evil people…” Mercy smiled and turned back toward Walker. “I’ll make this easy for you, Walker. Clark here thinks your talent can help him find the girls. So, help us, and I won’t call my sisters to town. You think I’m a pain in the ass, wait until we’re all together. You’ll never see them coming, and they’re relentless. They won’t let up until they’ve wormed their way into every facet of your life, starting with the pizza place.” Mercy smiled. “Do you like tofu pizza, because I’m sure once they lay on their charm, they’ll convert everyone in the town to go vegan.”

Walker’s eyes narrowed. “You think you can run roughshod over me?”

“Yes,” Mercy answered. Her cheeks and face hinted a pretty shade of pink. “Now be a dear and get your jacket. We don’t have time to waste when two little girls could be freezing to death out there in this snow.”

Mercy pulled out her phone and snapped a picture.

“What the hell?” Walker gawked.

“Just sending it to my sisters in case something were to happen to me while in town. They know where to start looking.”

Walker’s chuckle filled the warm room, even though Clark’s heart was about to beat out of his chest. He was unsure whether to grab Mercy and carry her out before she really got hurt or have her back.

“You’re a smart cookie,” Walker said. “So, what’s your talent?”

“I know when people are going to die with a single touch.”

Walker lifted his gaze to Clark’s. The question was in his eyes even if it never passed his lips.

“She hasn’t looked at mine.”

“Maybe she should,” Walker said, leaving his coffee cup on top of a pizza box. He grabbed his coat and his gun and gestured toward the door. “Let’s go. The quicker I see if I can help, the quicker you can get this Bennett out of town. Who knows, I might even save your life again, Sheriff.”

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