The Devil She Knew Read Online Free PDF Page B

welled in eyes. “Not good. It was a dreadful place and your cop friend scared me to death. I think it will be a while before I try to shop for used furniture again.”
    Amber laughed. “Yeah, I heard. C.C. called me this morning. He says if I can’t give you a ride home he’ll come and pick you up. I told you Fortieth Street was a bad neighborhood.”
    Her eyebrows shot up. “What? He called you about me?”
    Amber’s smile disappeared. “Yeah. He was madder than hell. Says you don’t have a brain in your head. What is it with you? You’re white as a ghost.”
    “I don’t like people butting into my life. And I don’t need a ride home. I’ll take the bus.”
    Amber stared at her for what seemed like forever, her scrutiny causing Cassidy to shift uncomfortably in her chair.
    “Something’s up with you, Cass. Not sure what it is. A jealous husband, maybe? A sordid past? It doesn’t matter to me what you’re trying to hide. Or run from. I pretty much just let people do their thing and I’m okay with it.
    “You’re trying hard to put up walls and keep people at arm’s length. That’s cool if that’s the way you want it.” She shrugged. “For some reason, I like you. Not sure why.” She stood as the door chimed, announcing a customer.
    “Walls or not, I’ll give you a ride home tonight.”
    • • •
    Clay jumped in the shower the minute he returned home from his trip to the land of squalor, angry with Cassidy for thinking she could venture into that part of town alone. Angry? He barely knew the woman, yet his reaction had been to call Amber to make sure Cassidy had a safe way home. If she didn’t, he was ready to play Sir Galahad and escort her safely, even though she’d fight him every minute of the trip. She’d been stupid and reckless to try to buy furniture like that, and it irritated him. He stood beneath the pulsating hot water analyzing his reactions, confused by them actually. She could have been hurt and that upset him.
    He probably should have told Cassidy when she recited the address that the house was in an undesirable part of town. He doubted she would have listened. She was determined. Or obstinate. Whatever the word, she was something with her big eyes hidden behind those red glasses and that captivating smile. Reaching for a towel he shook his head, surprised that she was occupying his thoughts. Glimpsing himself in the mirror, his reflection smiled back at him. Wow. Well, his sister had a list of landlord tasks as long as his arm, so his pleasant thoughts about Cassidy Hoake would have to wait.
    But he couldn’t keep his mind off of her. When he’d called Amber, he inquired about Cassidy’s last name. Amber knew how to unlock Keaseling’s file cabinet, which for some reason didn’t surprise him, and she provided Cassidy’s last name and birth date. He’d tried to sound casual, asking what else was in the file and, scanning the employment application, Amber said the emergency contact information section was blank. Previous employment listed a convenience store but didn’t specify a name or location.
    He’d asked why Keaseling would hire someone without a complete employment application and Amber snorted. “Have you looked at her?”
    His heart skipped. Yes, he had. He was unfamiliar with the name Hoake and she’d said she was new in town, but he suspected Cassidy wasn’t from the neighboring areas either. The tiniest touch of an accent hinted she wasn’t an Ohio native. At least he could check that. He called Dan and requested a background search if possible.
    Police couldn’t arbitrarily run a check on someone, of course, but it was easy enough to justify a records request as part of another incident, say a traffic stop. It wasn’t a practice the brass sanctioned, but most of the guys did it for each other on the sly. Ms. Hoake would be a passenger in someone’s car tonight, whether she knew it or not.
    Amber hadn’t been much help with background on Cassidy’s