Page 51 of Shadow Sabotage
Guilt struck hard. “I know. Sorry.” I closed my eyes and rubbed my chest. “I guess I’m just really stressed out about this case.”
“The case.Right.That’s why you’re wearing lipstick. Andearrings.” She flicked one, giving me a look that said she could see right through me.
“Stop,” I hissed, ripping the earrings out of my ears and sticking them into my pocket. “The last thing I need is people ribbing me about him—especially if it puts ideas into Mom’s head.”
“You invited a man to family dinner. I think you put those ideas there all on your own.”
I felt my face turn crimson. “I didn’t really invite him. You know she’s the one who told him he could come to dinner anytime.”
She laughed, a look of utter amazement on her face. “What in the world has gotten into you? I’ve never seen you like this. One little tease and you’re flipping out.” She leaned closed and lowered her voice, glancing up and down the stairs to make sure no one was close. “Do you actuallylikehim?”
“No!”Yes. Dammit.“It’s just Mom. You know how she’s been.” I smacked my forehead, more frustrated at myself than at her. “I shouldn’t have invited him. I’m just trying to be nice to a coworker, and she’s probably already planning the wedding in her head.”
Beth smirked, but she tried to reassure me. “Maybe not. From what I’ve heard, she’s in there trying to get the inside scoop on the case. That might be even more interesting to her than fixing you up.”
“Maybe,” I said, cheering considerably.
Beth hesitated, then gave me a gentle smile. “I won’t tell anyone. And you should put the earrings back on. They look great on you.”
“There’s nothing to tell,” I lied. “I’m just being friendly.”
“Well, in that case, you better get in there and rescue him,” she said, winking. “Because Mom’s been giving him the third degree for twenty minutes straight.”
I gave Beth a desperate look, then braced myself and walked toward the kitchen. Before I could overthink it, I put the earrings back in and fluffed my hair one more time.
As the voices became clear, I could tell that Beth was right. Momwasgiving him the third degree, in her casual “this is how I chat with all the guests” way, peppering him with questions about his family and his job. It gave me a smug feeling to hear him answer without giving her any of the personal details he’d shared with me.
When I turned the corner, Vance was perched on a barstool, snacking on cheese and crackers. “Hey,” I said awkwardly, trying not to think about how good he looked sitting there in the one space that was normally reserved for family.
Or how good he looked, period.
He’d changed into blue jeans, casual boots, and a slim-fitting sage sweater that showed off the muscle definition in his arms. I didn’t normally like sweaters on a man, but the way he wore them changed my mind.
He glanced toward me. “Hey. Your mom gave me a snack while I was waiting.”
A laugh sputtered out before I could stop it. It sounded like something a childhood playmate would say, not a DCI agent who was only here because we were working a homicide case together.
He gave me a strange look. “What?”
“Nothing,” I said, turning toward the refrigerator. I pulled it open mostly to have a place to hide my face. “Want a beer?” I called out.
“Sure.”
I grabbed two and tossed him one. He caught it with one hand, those intense blue eyes looking at me in a way that made my cheeks flush. His gaze lingered, sending a thrill through me.
It was a good thing Mom had her back to us.
The spell broke when she turned around. “Claire, you wouldn’t believe how many calls we’ve had today from people wanting to stay here.”
“Oh, really?” I asked, barely paying attention.
I was still thinking about that look on Vance’s face.
“It’s crazy,” she said, shaking her head. “They’re coming here because of that poor girl’s murder. The news reporters I understand, although I’m not sure why they think they need to camp out here. But some of them are regular people.” She lifted her hands helplessly.
“It’s a thing now,” Vance said. “True crime podcasts and video channels are a big deal, and some of them make a full-time living from the content they create. They’ll travel across the country for an interesting case. Some people have a weird obsession with murder.”
“That’s so strange,” Mom said, her eyes wide. “I’m glad you’re staying with us and can help keep an eye on things in case some of these people are off their rockers.”
