Page 11 of Lucky in Love
He took a perfunctory glance. “How do you do that when nowadays everyone requires a photo ID and a credit card?”
“I usually book everything online and put a company card on file for the payment stuff. And I actually do have a fake ID that verifies my alias. It’s behind my real license, if you want to take a look.”
The sheriff opened the wallet and pulled out Brody’s IDs. “Kevin McHale. You a Celtics fan?”
Brody nodded.
“So what happened? Why pay in cash today?”
“My assignment, and therefore reservation, was a place called Peaceful Dove.”
“That place is a dump.”
“Which I figured out from the parking lot. Once I bailed, I had to wing it. Found this place online and just showed up. The credit card doesn’t match the McHale name. Online, that nevermatters, but in person, it would. Just seemed easier to say I didn’t have anything.”
“Sounds like quite a hassle.” He handed the wallet back to Brody.
“It’s important for authenticity. People tend to act differently when a scathing review is on the line.”
The sheriff laughed. “How’s Alex doing so far?”
“Not great,” Brody said, but couldn’t help smiling.
“Don’t be too hard on her. How long you in town?”
Now that Brody was no longer a threat, the typical small-town friendliness was coming out.
“A week. But I’m gonna make a quick trip to NYC on Thursday.”
“Oh yeah, somethin’ special goin’ on?”
“My girlfriend and I are celebrating our one-year anniversary. I’m going to propose.” His jacket hung on a hook near the door, and he reached into the pocket to show off the ring. And to lend credibility to his story.
“Good lookin’ rock. I just took that plunge earlier this year.” He held up his left hand and wiggled a gold-banded ring finger.
“Nice.” Brody felt like he should offer him a beer, but hadn’t hit the grocery store yet. “How’s marriage?”
“Ten out of ten. Highly recommend.”
Brody chuckled. “No offense, but you seem different than most small-town cops I’ve met.”
“Oh, yeah. Well, I grew up here, but left as soon as I could. Lived and worked in Boston for almost ten years. FBI. Got shot and had to come back to recuperate. Fell in love and well, love makes a man do crazy things.”
“Like quit your job and move to the mountains?”
“Exactly like that.”
“Well, Sheriff Walker—”
“Call me Nick.”
“Nick. It’s been nice chatting. Any chance I can convince you to keep my identity from Alex? I’ve still got a job to do, you know?”
“I’ll try, but my wife has a way of getting information out of me. And if she knows, Alex will find out.”
“Fair enough.” Brody sighed. “You think Alex is waiting outside?”
Nick huffed out a laugh. “If I know Alex—and my wife—fourwomen are waiting outside.”
