One Foot in the Grave (Carly Moore #3) - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,71

his duties for the day while Max listened, excited for him too.

But an oily feeling took hold of me. The more I thought about it, the more certain I felt that Bart had somehow arranged this.

He intended to hurt Jerry to get to me. And I was powerless to stop it.

Chapter Seventeen

It was after seven when Marco showed up, still in his uniform. His gaze found me instantly, as though his inner radar could detect my presence.

I was at the bar, getting refills for Bingham’s goons. We locked eyes, and for a split second, a sensation of warmth washed over me.

No. I couldn’t feel this way about him. I couldn’t risk losing him as my friend. The tug of yearning I felt was only because I wanted the comfort of being near him. Everyone needed to stop running their mouths about our friendship.

Wyatt was pulling the drafts, and Marco’s eyes darkened at the sight of him.

I hurried over to him, grabbing his arm. “I suppose we have a lot to talk about after my message this afternoon.”

“And your tea appointment,” he said, his gaze still on Wyatt.

“Yeah, that didn’t turn out as I’d expected.”

He eyes jerked to mine, filled with worry.

I shook my head. “Nothing to worry about… at least I don’t think so. You can help me decide when I tell you all about it later, but I don’t think we should discuss it here. Do you want to come over to Hank’s after work?”

He hesitated, then said, “I was thinkin’ you could come to my place for a sleepover. I have the day off tomorrow. I don’t go in until the evening. I can help.”

I gave it a thought. “I’d have to go by Hank’s for some things.”

“You already have a toothbrush at my place. And shampoo and conditioner too.”

Marco had gotten me those things when I’d spent days recuperating at his place after I was drugged, but I’d stayed at his house several times since for what we called sleepovers—which usually consisted of us sleeping on the sofa after watching movies. He’d introduced me to Star Wars and Star Trek—both of which I’d enjoyed, to my surprise.

When I hesitated, he added, “We can throw your clothes in the washer and dryer, and you can wear one of my T-shirts and sweatpants to sleep in.” His smile spread. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”

I had to admit that hanging out with Marco tonight and tomorrow morning was exactly what I needed. And I could really use his insight into everything.

“Well, when you put it that way,” I said, “I could use a little fun.”

Wyatt’s scowl deepened as Marco grinned at me and headed to the back to change. Ignoring Wyatt, I picked up the drinks he’d finished pouring, dropped them off, then checked on Lula and Bingham.

Beatrice was awake, and Lula was cooing to her. Bingham’s gaze was on both of them, his guard up.

“Bingham,” I said in a low tone as I took their dirty plates. “I’d like to make an appointment to see you tomorrow morning.”

A smirk spread across his face. “Is this about Heather Stone? Are you playin’ Nancy Drew again?”

“I need a little insight into some Drum history, and I figured you might be able to help.”

His brow shot up. “You gonna accuse me of burying her body?”

“I know you didn’t bury her,” I scoffed. “You’re smarter than that. Her body wouldn’t have still been there if you’d put it in the ground.”

His smile stretched. “You think Old Man Drummond did it?”

“Unfortunately, no. But again, I’d like to pick your brain, if you’ll let me.”

“Figuratively, I hope,” he said with a wink.

“You hush now, Todd,” Lula said, then turned to me. “Of course you can drop by and talk to him. How about ten?”

I turned to Bingham and waited for him to confirm his agreement. He gave a slight nod, his gaze pinned on me.

“Well, all righty then,” I said, my attention fully on the baby. “Before I take these plates back, can I get you anything else?”

“I think we’re good,” Lula said, then smiled. “Do you want to hold her?”

I sucked in a lungful of air. “Me?”

I glanced around to see if anyone needed me.

“They’ll be fine,” Lula said, turning toward me. “She needs her godmother to hold her.”

“What?”

“I want you to be her second godmother. Greta’s one, of course, but you were the only one in this town to go lookin’ for me. If you’d help me like that after just meetin’ me,