Free Suspicion of Guilt by Tracey V. Bateman Page B

“Let our food settle a little. We ate more than you.”
    “Wimp!” she shot back with a teasing grin.
    Sean chuckled.
    “So, that Leigh…” Reece began, then regretted ever mentioning her. Now what did he say to follow up? She’s a real sweet girl? Not even close. Pretty? She could be without the piercings and black dye.
    “I’ve seen her before,” Sean said.
    “Quite a lot, from what I hear. Denni said you’ve been a regular fixture around here since last week.”
    “Yeah. But I mean I recognized her from somewhere when we came last week.” He shook his head and staredcloser at the girl. “I can’t put my finger on where, though. That’s why I’ve been hanging around so much. I just have a hunch.”
    “You mean you’re investigating? Not really interested in her?”
    The rookie shrugged. “She’s a lot more normal than I thought she would be at first. But taking her home to meet Mom and Dad? I doubt that. My mom’s a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.”
    Reece frowned. “Hey, she’s got feelings. Just don’t forget that.”
    “You’re one to talk. I thought I’d just help you out. You’re going after the housemother. I’m concentrating on the girl. Fran’s sort of cute too. I might spend a little time with her if I can manage it without Leigh getting suspicious. Unless you have plans to work on Fran?”
    “She’s a kid.”
    “I saw your water fight earlier.”
    Incredulity sprang inside of him. “We were just kidding around. Like I said, she’s just a kid.”
    “Okay, then. I’ll take the younger girls, as I can get by with it, and you concentrate on Miss Mahoney.”
    Surprise sucked the words out of Reece’s brain. He stared at Sean. “You think I’m playing with Denni’s emotions to help the investigation?”
    “Well, let’s see…You haven’t had a date with the same woman twice since I’ve known you.”
    “That you know of.”
    “Have you?”
    “Well, no.”
    “Okay. It’s obvious this wholesome woman isn’t your type, but you seem to go out of your way to spendtime with her. So I figured out that you’re playing her to get closer to the investigation.”
    It sounded pretty low-down when verbalized by someone who obviously didn’t have a problem with doing whatever it took to bring in the guilty party. “I like Denni,” he said, noting how insincere his voice sounded.
    “Oh, sure. I like Leigh too. I’m not saying this case isn’t going to have its rewards.” He laughed as only a twenty-year-old guy can. “I’m just saying that two heads are better than one. A couple of good-looking guys like us, hanging around a bunch of women, we’ll get this case wrapped up in no time.”
    “Hey, heads up!” Leigh called.
    The Frisbee sailed through the air toward them. Sean hopped up and caught it effortlessly. “All right. I’m coming.” He glanced down at Reece. “You going to play?”
    “I don’t think so. Denni’s headed this way.”
    Sean gave him a knowing grin before jumping over the deck rail and joining the game.
    Denni climbed the steps to the deck. She smiled at Reece. “I’m definitely not in shape. I’m worn out. Amazing how I forget I’m not still eighteen until I hang out with a couple of eighteen-year-olds.”
    Reece chuckled. “I know what you mean.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Sure you do.”
    “You don’t believe me?”
    “I’d say you’re in pretty good shape. You could probably run circles around them.”
    “So you’ve noticed my buffed physique, huh?”
    Reece enjoyed the quick rise of color to her cheeks. “Do you want to go for a walk?”
    “Sure,” she replied. “Let me go inside and grab my tennies.”
    “Tennies?”
    “Walking shoes. We called them tennies when I was a kid. I guess I’m not grown up yet.”
    “I think it’s cute.”
    The flush returned. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.”
    Reece watched her enter the house. What had Sean meant about Denni obviously not being his type? What sort of