Free Heinous by Debra Webb Page A

too.
    Across the driveway, her landlord, George Louis, watered flowers. Guilt made her walk over and say hello. She wasn’t used to having a neighbor so involved in her daily life. She’d owned the house in Virginia for almost ten years and hadn’t known her neighbors’ names. There was no way of avoiding interaction with George Louis. Dan called him nosy. Jess felt certain he was simply lonely. Long retired, he filled his days with yard work and keeping his home in tiptop shape.
    “Good evening, George. I ordered pizza, would you like to join us for dinner?”
    He glanced at the driveway, noting the absence of Dan’s car. “Thank you, Jess. I’ve had dinner already. It’s very kind of you to think of me. Is Dan working late again?”
    “Unfortunately.” Jess shifted the topic. “You’re practically the only person in the neighborhood whose flowers haven’t surrendered to the heat. They’re still beautiful.”
    “I don’t neglect my duties,” he said with a hum of agreement. “Once they’re planted, I pay proper attention to their needs. Water, fertilizer, and such. A man should never plant or build anything he can’t properly maintain.”
    “Well, they’re lovely, George.”
    “Will Dan be building or buying a new house?”
    “Buying, I think. We looked at a house in Mountain Brook last night but I’m sure we’ll be considering many others.”
    George turned his attention back to his flowers. “I suppose, when the time comes, you’ll be moving with him.”
    George was lonely. Of course, he would hate seeing her go. Then again, after all the drama she’d brought to his life, he might be glad.
    “You’ll be the first to know when we find something.”
    “I’ll miss you, Jess.”
    The words were so desolate she couldn’t help but feel bad for him. She mustered a smile. “I’ll only be in another neighborhood, not another city.”
    He tinkered with the water hose nozzle. “You’ll probably forget all about me.”
    “Impossible.” Jess laughed. “You’re a good friend.”
    Dan arrived and her pulse quickened. “Come on over if you change your mind about the pizza,” Jess offered as she backed toward the driveway.
    George nodded without looking up.
    Jess stalled a few yards from the rental to watch as Dan got out. Her heart skipped a little beat. It was silly, but she had no control over the reaction. He’d always had that effect on her.
    As weary as he looked, the smile that appeared just for her squeezed her chest. “Sorry I’m late.”
    “Pizza’s on its way.” She fell into step with him, suddenly in a hurry to get inside so she could put her arms around him. “Did Black give you a hard time?”
    Dan shrugged. “He did his job.”
    “It’s over now.” Jess wished the Allen investigation were resolved. Captain Allen was in all probability dead. Whatever he’d done, he’d crossed the wrong drug lord. You didn’t mess with a man like Salvadore or Leonardo Lopez and walk away. They might never find Allen’s body or know who killed him.
    Inside, door locked and security system rearmed, Jess helped Dan out of his jacket. She pushed her arms around his neck and kissed him. Whatever else was wrong in their lives, this was right.
    Dan’s lips curved into a smile against hers. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”
    “Me, too.” She ushered him to the sofa. “Sit. You need a beer.”
    “Does that mean you have something to tell me that I don’t want to know?”
    Jess smiled at him over the fridge door. “Potentially.”
    She had been debating whether to tell him about Amanda’s claims or not. Why burden him with that worry before the allegations were corroborated. At some point between finding that photo of her father and tonight, Jess had realized her reasoning was wrong. How could she demand that he stop being over protective of her if she was doing the same thing to him?
    No, it was more than that. As much as she hoped Amanda’s claims about her father