Deadly Questions (Hardy Brothers Security Book 8) (10 page)

“So, why are we here again?”

Mandy shot James a look. “Because I bought tickets.”

“Besides that?”

“Because it’s a good cause.”

“We could have just donated money,” James said, glancing around the banquet hall with a bored expression on his face. “You know I hate coming to these things. I agree to go when it’s for your work, but this isn’t for your work.”

“Does a good cause have to be associated with my job for us to go to a charity event?” Mandy questioned.

“No,” James said. “I just … there’s no way for me to win here, is there?”

“Nope.”

“If I promise to dance with you, will you wipe that mean look off your face? I mean, I like it. It kind of turns me on, in fact. It makes me picture you as a dirty schoolteacher. All you need is a ruler. I think you might scare everyone else off, though.”

Mandy’s face softened when she saw the playful look on James’ face. “I’m sorry. I’m just … agitated.”

“I noticed,” James said, slipping his arm around Mandy’s back so he could rub it. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

“It’s a good cause,” Mandy said.

“It is,” James agreed. “I’ve heard about Harmony House over the years. It’s a place for battered women, right?”

“And sexually abused children.”

James pursed his lips. “It’s a good charity,” he said. “We could have just donated, though. Why did we have to come here? Why did all of us have to come here?”

“I thought it would be good if we presented a united front,” Mandy said, smoothing the front of her black dress down as she looked around the room. “Beating and hurting women and children is not allowed. Not on our watch.”

James smiled, brushing a kiss against his wife’s forehead. “This case has you all riled up,” he said. “I like you feisty. I’m just not sure if I like you manic.”

“Sophie told me Lily’s story,” Mandy said. “It’s awful.”

“While I don’t condone what happened to Lily, I’m not sure she’s some pillar of light for you to rally behind,” James said.

“Why do you say that?”

“Apparently she’s been bullying Finn,” James said, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “She keeps calling him a girl.”

“Since when is being a girl an insult?”

“Never, baby,” James said. “I love that you’re a girl. I just didn’t realize I had two sisters instead of one. Things are starting to make so much sense now.”

Mandy rolled her eyes. “You’re getting off on torturing him, aren’t you?”

“That’s a horrible thing to say about your husband.”

“Not if it’s true.”

James decided to change the subject. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

Mandy smiled. “No, but it’s always nice to hear.”

“Well, in that case, you put every woman in this place to shame.”

“Emma is here,” Mandy countered.

“I saw her.”

“Emma is a model,” Mandy added.

“So?”

“She’s obviously prettier than I am.”

“I wish you wouldn’t say stuff like that,” James said. “Emma is beautiful. You’re perfection.”

“Sometimes I think you’re blind.”

“Blinded by love,” James cooed, kissing her ear.

“See, even when I want to be mad at you I can’t be,” Mandy said, giving him a quick kiss and then reaching up to wipe the remnants of her lipstick from his mouth. “I guess that’s why I love you.”

“Is that the only reason?” James teased.

“No,” Mandy said. “Although, I do love hearing how awesome I am.”

“Then I’ll tell you every day for the rest of our lives.”

“Oh, you two are officially disgusting,” Grady said, pushing between the two of them and grabbing a cherry tomato from the vegetable tray.

“I see you dressed up,” James said, regarding his brother’s suit with a dubious look. “Did you rent that?”

“I happen to own three suits,” Grady said. “When you’re as handsome as I am, you want to show it off.”

“Then how come you didn’t cut your hair?” James asked.

“Don’t hate the hair,” Grady said. “You’ll hurt its feelings.”

Mandy smiled, enjoying the interplay. “Where is Sophie?”

“She saw some lawyer she wanted to press for information,” Grady said. “This is why I hate coming to these things. She always has an angle, and that leaves me an orphan.”

“Oh, poor Grady,” Mandy said, squeezing his cheek. “All dressed up and no one to fawn all over him.”

“You’re mean sometimes,” Grady said.

“I’m sorry,” Mandy replied, contrite. “You’re very handsome. Almost as handsome as your brother.”

“Oh, please,” Grady said. “Everyone knows I’m the best-looking one in this family.”

Ally snorted as she joined them, tugging an uncomfortable looking Jake behind her. “That title belongs to me.”

“In your dreams,” Grady said.

“Jake, who is prettier, Grady or me?”

Jake made a face. “I am not answering that question.”

“It’s because he doesn’t know,” James teased.

“It’s because there’s an obvious answer,” Jake countered.

“Me, right?”

“No one is prettier than you, angel,” Jake said.

“Ha.”

“You can’t ask the guy you’re sleeping with to be the judge,” Grady said. “We need a neutral third party to vote.”

“There’s a room full of people,” Ally said, looking around.

“Stop it right now,” Mandy hissed. “This is a charity event.”

“We know,” Ally said, pouting.

“This is a charity event for abused women and children,” Mandy said. “Stop acting like moronic imbeciles.”

Ally opened her mouth to argue, but a quick shake of James’ head told her now definitely wasn’t the right time.

“I see some people I have to say hi to,” Mandy said. “When I come back, every single one of you had better be acting like an adult.”

“What’s her problem?” Ally asked, not bothering to keep her voice down.

“I think it’s you,” James said.

Once Mandy was safely away, she leaned against the wall to catch her breath. She had no idea why she was so angry – she just knew she was. As a worker in the county court system, she’d heard horrible stories at every turn. Something about this particular case was setting her teeth on edge. She just couldn’t put her finger on it.

“Oh, Ms. Avery, I didn’t know you were coming.”

Mandy straightened, pasting a smile on her face as she regarded the prosecutor standing in front of her.

“Heather,” Mandy said, extending her hand. “It’s good to see you.”

“You, too,” the woman said. “I didn’t know you were such a philanthropist.”

“I like to give to a good cause,” Mandy said, straightening when she felt a familiar presence move in at her side. “Have you met my husband?”

Heather looked James up and down. “I hadn’t heard you got married. How charming.”

Mandy kept her face placid. “Yes, we’re a charming couple.”

James extended his hand. “I’m James Hardy.”

“I’m Heather Harrington. I’m a prosecutor with the county.”

“Oh, that’s how you know my wife,” James said, tightening his arm around Mandy’s waist. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Your wife is a diligent civil servant,” Heather said. “She provides a very important function.”

“She’s the best,” James said, rubbing Mandy’s back as he looked the woman up and down. “That’s why I married her.”

“And what do you do for a living, Mr. Hardy?”

“I run a security business out of Sterling Heights.”

“Security? What kind of security?”

“Just general security,” James said, his tone pleasant. “And what kind of cases do you prosecute?”

“I’m the head of the sex crimes division,” Heather said. “That’s why I’m here.”

“Well, that must be gratifying.” James didn’t know what was going on, but the slouch of Mandy’s shoulders told him that something was off. “It’s good that you’re doing something to help those who need it the most.”

“I agree,” Heather said. “So, how long have you been married?”

“Two wonderful months,” James said, brushing his lips against Mandy’s forehead. The prosecutor wasn’t overtly hitting on him, especially with Mandy in such close proximity, but there was something predatory about her demeanor.

“Well, you’re a lucky girl,” Heather said. “However did you manage to snag him?”

“She snagged me,” James answered, his dislike for the woman growing with every passing second. “I’m the lucky one.”

“So it would appear,” Heather said. “And who is this?”

Grady pulled up short as he met Heather’s gaze. “Oh, I’m sorry to interrupt. I was just coming to see what my brother was doing.”

“Still lost without Sophie?” Mandy asked.

Heather narrowed her eyes. “Sophie? Not Sophie Lane?”

“She’s my girlfriend,” Grady said, smiling congenially.

“Well, that seems like a waste,” Heather said. “You’re much too … handsome to be tied down to a mouse like her.”

Mandy scowled. “Sophie is not a mouse. She happens to be … .”

“She’s a reporter,” Heather said, cutting Mandy off. “We all know that reporters are just rats in disguise.”

“I’m sorry, who are you?” Grady asked.

“I’m Heather Harrington,” she said, extending her hand. “I’m the head of Macomb County’s sex crimes division at the prosecutor’s office.”

Grady glanced down at her hand, unsure. He wasn’t about to make nice with the woman who had just insulted his girlfriend.

“Sophie isn’t a rat,” Mandy said, her voice firm. “She’s a good person, and she has a hard job to do.”

“She’s a rat,” Heather said. “She makes a living off the misery of others.”

“Don’t you do the same?” Mandy pressed.

“I protect people from misery,” Heather countered. “You should realize that. You’re in the court system, too.”

“I recognize the importance of Sophie’s job,” Mandy said. “I don’t think your job is somehow better than her job.”

“I guess that’s why you’re a clerk,” Heather said.

James moved his hand up to the back of Mandy’s neck, snapping her to his chest. He was worried she would rip Heather’s hair out in front of people she liked and respected. While he would have applauded the action, he knew his wife would be mortified by the ramifications.

“We’re all very fond of Sophie,” James said. “She’s part of our family.”

“But you’re not married, right?” Heather directed her question to Grady.

“They live together,” Mandy said through gritted teeth.

“Living in sin is not marriage, Ms. Avery,” Heather said. “Now, shush, this is between Mr. Hardy and me.”

“My name is Avery-Hardy,” Mandy countered, pointing to the rings on her left hand. “I’m married.”

“It’s a good thing, too,” Heather said. “Now you have a husband to support you.”

Mandy opened her mouth to argue, but James silenced her with a hard squeeze. “We support each other,” he said. “That’s what marriage is about.”

Heather rolled her eyes. “That’s sweet.” She turned back to Grady. “So, what do you do for a living?”

“I work with my brothers,” Grady said, refusing to take a step back even though he felt Heather’s presence start to invade his personal space. “We’re security experts.”

“Yes, your brother mentioned that,” Heather said. “I’m not sure I know what it means.”

“It means we work security.”

“So, what, you’re security guards?”

“There are many different aspects to security,” Grady said. “It’s hard to explain.”

“I have a master’s degree,” Heather said, shooting a hostile look in Mandy’s direction. “I’m educated. I’m sure I can grasp it.”

“I didn’t say you couldn’t,” Grady said. “It’s just not very interesting to talk about.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’re just playing coy,” Heather said, extending her hand and rubbing Grady’s forearm appreciatively. “Why don’t you just try me on for size?”

“Now just a second,” Mandy said.

“What’s going on here?” Sophie moved to the spot next to Grady, her gaze traveling down to Heather’s hand as it caressed Grady’s arm.

“Grady here was just about to tell me about his job,” Heather said, not bothering to move her hand away. “He’s very fascinating.”

“I’ve noticed,” Sophie said. “In fact, I notice every morning when I wake up.”

“Lucky girl,” Heather said. “You must be catching him on his way up.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Well, I mean that there’s probably no way you could maintain his interest for the long haul,” Heather said, competition flashing in her eyes. “Especially when he finds out about your foster father.”

“I know about her foster father,” Grady said, jerking his arm away. “What is going on here?”