Free Dirty Rotten Scoundrel by Liliana Hart Page B

instructions. 
    “I need to explain about Lauren.” Jack’s voice was soft, but I looked around to make sure no one was standing nearby so they could overhear us.
    “No, really you don’t, Jack. We both had a past before this thing with us started. She isn’t the first of your lovers I’ve met, and she probably won’t be the last. Just like I’m sure you’ve run into mine. It’s a small world.”
    Jack scowled and t ook mugs down from the cabinet at the mention of previous lovers. “I know you’re angry at me, but there’s no reason to take cheap shots. Lauren and I were together a long time ago.”
    He poured the coffee, and then bent down to the bottom cabinet to pull the bottle of Jameson’s I kept there in case of emergency. He poured a healthy dollop into each coffee mug and then handed me one.
    “And like I said, I don’t need to hear the details, but it was obvious to everyone standing outside that there was something between the two of you, and neither of you bothered to try and hide it. Just drop it, Jack. I can only deal with one fight at a time. You’re the one who called off your “vacation.”
    We sat side by side on the stools that pulled up to the large square butcher block island that sat in the middle of the kitchen, and the tension roiled off both of us in waves. We weren’t there very long before heavy footsteps echoed on the stairway and Agent Greer came through the door.
    “They’re finishing up and are ready to transport,” he said , eyeing the coffee.
    “Would you like a cup?” I asked.
    “If you don’t mind. There are a few things we need to talk about, Sheriff Lawson. Doctor Graves can stay if you wish, otherwise we can take this to your office and handle this there.”
    I looked back and forth between Jack and Agent Greer and I couldn’t interpret whatever silent communication was happening between them.
    “I don’t understand.” I put Greer’s cup in front of him and took my seat beside Jack. “What does any of this have to do with Jack?”
    “Because Dean Wallace was one of mine. And I’m going to assume there’s more to this th an just collecting his body and getting out of our way.”
    I heard the clank of the elevator and more footsteps on the stairs, and the body was taken out of the kitchen and out to one of the waiting SUVs. They all moved with an eerie silence as if they didn’t need words to communicate.
    “You’d be right about that,” Greer said, pulling a thick file from his briefcase. “Staying or going , Doctor Graves?”
    “She stays,” Jack said. “We’re engaged to be married.”
    Lauren Rhodes made an appearance at the top of the basement stairs at that point and I saw the surprise on her face before she quickly masked it and moved to the barstool beside Agent Greer.
    The air expelled from my chest at the news that Jack still planned to marry me, and my grip tightened on my coffee cup as I tried to get hold of my emotions. I knew a woman like Lauren—a woman that saw something she wanted—would exploit whatever weakness she could find until she achieved her goal.
    “Congratulations,” Greer said. “I didn’t find that information in your file.”
    Lauren’s eyes cut to my vacant ring finger and I didn’t have to interpret the arched eyebrow before she turned her attention to Jack.
    “ We just got the details worked out today. It took me a while to talk her into it,” Jack said, his mouth quirking. “She’s stubborn.” Jack gave all pretense that he was relaxed and in a good mood, and it would fool anyone but me, but I could see the tension. I wasn’t that good an actress, so I spent most of the time with the coffee cup held in front of my face and the sent of whiskey tickling my nostrils. 
    I felt bad for not offering Lauren a cup of coffee , so I offered to get her some.
    “I don’t drink coffee, but I’ll take water if you have it.”
    I decided I might as well try to be friendly. I just wanted the night to be over.