Thick as Thieves(69)
They exchanged hellos. Crystal said, “Arden already knows Ledge.”
“Does she?” Marty looked her up and down, then turned to him and raised a raven-black eyebrow.
He said, “You’re late.”
“I stopped for Chinese.” Marty hefted the sack.
“Well?”
She took a sealed letter envelope from the outside pocket of her cross-body purse and handed it to him, saying drolly, “You’re welcome.”
Without even looking at the envelope, he folded it in half and slid it into the back pocket of his jeans. “How did you—”
“Don’t ask. And, anyway, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Thanks, Marty. I owe you.”
“You certainly do. Be afraid.” She then looked at the three of them in turn and said, “This feels like one of those awkward situations you walk into and, for the sake of all concerned, should probably keep walking. If you’ll excuse me?” She went inside but left the door ajar.
Crystal heaved a sigh. “This isn’t only awkward, it’s silly. So I’m going to be the grown-up. Last night, you,” she said to Ledge, “and Arden today, came to me, talking about and around the same subject. She has questions that I can’t answer.
“I think it’s time for the two of you to go somewhere and have an honest conversation, while Marty and I carry on with our plan for the evening, which is to curl up on the sofa, gorge on Chinese, and binge watch a series about vampires. Goodbye.”
She stepped inside and soundly closed the door.
Ledge kept pace with Arden as she walked toward her car. “What questions?”
“Go away.” Reaching her car, she jerked open the door, then stood in the wedge, staring back at the house. “I don’t feel right about this at all.”
“What were you talking to Crystal about?”
She turned to him. “Why don’t the two of you live together?”
“That’s one of the questions you asked her?”
“No!”
“Then what was the subject you talked about and around?”
“Never mind.” She was about to get into the car, but he hooked his hand in the bend of her elbow.
“You’re not leaving until you tell me why you came to Crystal with questions that you wouldn’t ask me.”
“Because I don’t trust you.” She pulled her arm free. “And Crystal’s faith in you is grossly misplaced.”
“Oh. You’re feeling guilty.”
“You’re the cheater. I don’t have anything to feel guilty for.”
He tipped his chin down and gave her a look.
“Don’t,” she whispered with distress. “I feel terrible. She was lovely to me. I pried, but she was steadfastly loyal to you. I can’t believe she encouraged you to go someplace with me while she stays at home for a cozy evening with—”
The realization slammed into her. Crystal’s total lack of animosity or jealousy over her dealings with Ledge suddenly made sense. She looked up into his face. “With Marty,” she said. “They’re partners.”
The fact that he didn’t react with a swift contradiction was an affirmation.
“How long have you known?”
He took her arm again. “I think you and I should go have that honest conversation that Crystal recommended. Your place or mine?”
“Neither. Someplace public.”
“Scared to be alone with me?”
“Precisely. If we’re alone, I’m liable to kill you.”
Chapter 27
Ledge insisted that they leave Arden’s car there and go in his truck. He drove them a few miles out of town to a wide spot in the road where two state highways intersected beneath a caution light. The axis didn’t actually qualify as a town, although a portable building on one corner was designated as the post office. On the opposite corner was a restaurant.
“It doesn’t look like much, but they actually grill a damn good steak.” He got out and went around to the passenger side to help her down, but by the time he got there, she’d made the jump on her own. She hadn’t spoken a word since leaving Crystal’s.
When they walked into the restaurant, the hostess beamed and greeted him by name. Then she noticed Arden and sized her up. Her smile lost some wattage, and her generous bosom settled back into its natural position.
He didn’t let on that he noticed. “Hey, Angie. We’re having a business meeting and need quiet. Is the back corner booth free?”
Looking skeptical about the nature of the dinner, Angie led them to the requested booth. Along the way, Ledge surveyed the other diners scattered throughout. He didn’t see anyone familiar.
He and Arden slid into opposite sides of the booth. He chose to sit with his back to the wall, facing out into the dining room. Angie placed two laminated menus on the table. “I’ll be your server tonight. Can I start you off with your usual bourbon, Ledge?”
“Please.”
“Double?”
“Single.”
Arden ordered ice water. Angie sniffed disdain. “I’ll be right back.”
Arden turned her head to watch as Angie walked away. When she came back around, she said, “Friend of yours?”