Free The Devil She Knew by Rena Koontz Page B

swallowed. “No sir. I did not.”
    “But you are in trouble?”
    She couldn’t find her stronger voice, so she whispered, “You said one question.”
    He smiled again and exhaled. “You’re right. I did.” He turned the key and the truck stopped running. The automatic locks shot up.
    “Okay, I guess the answer to that one will have to wait. Let’s go talk to my sister. We have a job offer for you.”
    Her jaw dropped.
    “Don’t get too excited. You can’t quit The Packing Place. It’s grunt work mostly. But the pay is a place to stay. C’mon.”
    Once again he waited for her at the front of the truck and placed his hand on the small of her back as they walked. Compared to her five-foot frame he was at least six foot two, she guessed. Well built, like most cops.
    Clay knocked and the door swung open. A tall, slender woman with long, dark hair and gray eyes that matched Clay’s stood in the doorway with a baby wearing a miniature red and gray football uniform perched on her hip. The baby squealed at the sight of Clay and extended small arms with dimpled elbows. Cassidy couldn’t help but smile when Clay reached for the baby, swung him to the ceiling then cradled him in his arms.
    “Mags, this is Cassidy Hoake. This is my sister, Maggie Armstrong.” Maggie extended her hand and offered a warm smile.
    “Come in, please. Excuse the mess.”
    They stepped into a two-foot entry that opened into a sprawling living area peppered with baby toys and a bright, multi-colored Pack ‘n Play Playard in the center of the room.
    “Come sit at the table. It’s a clean spot,” Maggie said, smiling. Despite the clutter, Cassidy noticed the home was spotless.
    “May I offer you some iced tea?”
    “I’m fine, thank you.”
    “Yeah, Mags. We’ll both have some tea.” Clay pulled a chair out and motioned for Cassidy to sit. “Jesus, Cassidy, it’s not going to kill you to take a free glass of freakin’ tea.”
    Stunned, Cassidy sat in the designated chair and picked at an imaginary spot on her thigh. Clay sat to her right and plopped the baby on the table, facing him. He seemed so at ease with an infant. Maggie returned with two tall, ice-filled tea glasses, walked back into the kitchen then joined them with her own glass. She slid a spill-proof cup toward Clay, but he was keeping the baby entertained with belly smooches. The women smiled at the scene.
    “How long have you been in town, Cassidy?” Maggie asked, smiling. Hers was a wide, friendly smile that lit up her entire face. Cassidy had only seen Clay smile a handful of times.
    “Um, I’ve worked at The Packing Place for almost a month now.”
    “Oh. Do you like it?”
    How many times did she nestle someone’s valuables safely between bubble wrap and packing peanuts and ship them away to a happier place wishing as she did that she could wrap herself in a protective cocoon and ship Cassidy Hoake to a safe, happy place? The thought occurred to her every day.
    “I’m getting better at it.”
    “Oh.” Maggie looked at Clay, who arched his eyebrows, then returned her gaze to Cassidy. “Has Clay told you what we’d like you to do?”
    “Um, no, not really.”
    Maggie lifted her glass, eyed Cassidy, and sipped her tea. “Clay, why don’t you take Jack for a walk? Leave us girls to talk.”
    Clay looked surprised, but Maggie insisted. “Go. You make Cassidy nervous and you’re making me nervous. Take my son and go do guy things.”
    She waved her hand toward the door. Unceremoniously dismissed, Clay hoisted the baby in his arms, snatched the sipping cup, and Cassidy watched them walk away. Rosie’s words echoed in her ears: You don’t know what kind of man he is.
    What kind of man exuded that much love for a baby not even his own? The best kind. That much she knew.
    Maggie folded her hands and leveled a steady gaze on Cassidy. She smiled that wonderful smile again.
    “My brother likes you.”
    Cassidy jerked her head around.
    “It’s been some time