Shelby - Mandy Harbin Page 0,46

would not be extending their arrangement past the initial four scenes. She had two weeks to get what she needed. Either way, her time was limited.

“If you need to talk, you know where I live. I don’t care what time of day or night, little bit.”

She smiled at him. “You worry too much.”

“I have too much to worry about.” He squared his shoulders, the business facade etching back into his features. “Now get back to work. We have a case to solve.”

“Sir, yes sir.” She smiled, and hoped it looked real. Talking to her team about what had happened and what was yet to come had been much easier than she’d anticipated, easier than what she’d gone through so far on this case, and a whole hell of a lot easier than what she would experience when Tuesday night got here. Her dread was multifaceted, but she would be lying to herself if she said she didn’t feel any a spark of excitement. What did that say about her?

She didn’t want to know.

Chapter Twelve

“I know the perfect place where we should start. Punky’s,” Viola said excitedly as she navigated the treacherous traffic toward Main Street, lovingly called Pain Street by the locals. It had boutiques with the latest fashion trends housed in hundred-year-old buildings. Back then, there hadn’t been a need for four-lane roads. Not that there was enough room, but the city had carved them in anyway. And parking? That was atrocious.

“There’s a spot over there,” Shelby said, pointing toward one of the few paid parking lots. Punky’s was a good idea since it catered more to the party crowd and sometimes had some pretty eccentric clothing. Viola could find something cute to wear, and maybe Shelby would have some luck with the costume.

“Good eye.” She whipped the car around, and Shelby grabbed the oh-shit handle.

“You’re gonna get us killed,” she groaned.

“Quit whining. Were you sick the day they taught defensive driving at Quantico?”

Shelby laughed. “It was more than one day, and I highly doubt the bureau would be pleased you’re using the skills you learned to chase down the bad guys to get a close parking spot for your Saturday shopping.”

Viola smirked as she pulled the car into the spot in question and killed the engine. “Technically, this is bureau business, so we should’ve gone yesterday on the clock instead of on personal time. We should get overtime for this.”

“Good luck with that.” She’d rather get an all-expense paid trip to an island rather than time-and-a-half for her efforts. “We’re duty bound. We’re not in it for the money.”

“Tell that to my husband.”

They got out of the car and headed toward the shop Viola had mentioned. Because of Shelby’s keen eye and Viola’s mad driving skills, they were inside within minutes.

“Wow. I haven’t ever been in here,” Viola said, taking it all in.

“It’s popular here during prom season. Gone are the days of traditional sequined gowns.”

“Pfft. I wore silk to my prom.”

When Viola picked up a red rubber-looking dress, Shelby shook her head. “I don’t think a concerned friend would show up wearing that. In fact, you should probably wear something normal now that I think about it.”

“Oh, hell no. I want to dress up. I need this.” She went back to scraping the hangers across the rack as she analyzed each piece of trashy clothing. She seemed too intent, too focused, and Shelby got the feeling it wasn’t because of their case.

“Hey,” she said softly, drawing Viola’s attention. “Is everything all right?”

“Yeah, why?”

But her eyes flicked to the side, a tale-tell sign of avoidance. Something was definitely off. “Are you and Dave having problems?” Shelby stepped closer to her. “Is that why you volunteered for this? To see if he’d be interested?”

Viola’s shoulders slumped. “Kind of.” She took a deep breath, but Shelby was already shaking her head. This was a bad idea. Viola needed to focus on the case and not some scheme involving her husband. “Just listen to me. Dave has been distant lately. I don’t know what it is. He has to go out of town a lot, but he always has. It’s not like either of us are working any more than before.”

“Viola, I don’t think this is going to be the time to light his fire. What if he doesn’t like it?” Another thought slammed into her. “Is this something you’re interested in?” she whispered.

Viola blushed. “I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it before this case, but for the last few