The Chance (Thunder Point #4)(35)

“You first,” he said. “What can I do for you?”

“Hmm. Personal business between a couple of cops,” she said. “I’ve been sort of dating Eric Gentry....”

Mac’s grin was large. “How does one ‘sort of date’ these days?” he asked.

“I doubt that’s changed much over the centuries. So, I know about his history with law enforcement and the judicial system. I was wondering if you’d looked any further. Any deeper.”

“The facts of the case and the trial are public record,” Mac said.

“I read all that. Thus the question—did you look any further? Earlier issues and associations of his? Problems with the law since? You know...did you run him?”

Mac leaned forward. “If he’s not a suspect and if there’s not probable cause, that would be wrong. A private detective could do that without getting in trouble, but our procedure...”

“And yet, he’s your stepdaughter’s biological father,” she said, raising one brow.

“I wouldn’t let him near Gina or Ashley if I had any doubts about his character,” Mac said. “I’m willing to bet you have good instincts about him or you probably wouldn’t ‘sort of’ date him.”

“I also have good instincts about my instincts—that is to say, when emotionally involved, I could miss some signals.”

“Then let me give you some peace of mind here. I didn’t want to like the guy. Really, he did my wife wrong when they were just kids. Her life was harder because of him. And Ashley, as a little girl growing up without a father, had her struggles. The emerging facts are, he was a stupid, reckless ass and made some very large mistakes, for which he’s made amends. And the man he’s become seems to be beyond reproach. Plus, I’m not emotionally involved, my instincts are good and I like him. He does anything to hurt them and I’ll kill him, but I like him.”

Laine smiled lazily. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to rat you out to the sheriff. I just had to ask.”

“I would’ve asked,” he admitted.

“He was screwed, you know.”

“How’s that?”

“Come on, you read the reports and transcripts. He had inadequate counsel. He was the driver of a car carrying ‘armed felons’ who weren’t armed and he had no idea anyone had done anything wrong. They were twenty-one—they stopped for beer and Eric was nineteen so he didn’t go in, even the store owner verified that. He assumed they bought the beer. He wasn’t speeding, wasn’t trying to make a fast getaway when the officer made them. He pulled over for the flashing lights. He was unaware of any crime.”

“That doesn’t get a pass,” Mac said.

“The other two got off. One got probation, one got a year, Eric got five to eight and did five and he was the least guilty. Does he know he was screwed?”

“I think he’s smart enough to know it didn’t go his way. But he can also figure out that it no longer matters. However unfair that five years might’ve been, some good came of it. He turned his life around, made something of himself. What’s he gonna do about it now, huh? Sue the public defender?”

“He could be bitter,” she pointed out.

“Well, you’re close to him,” Mac said. “Let me know if you find bitterness. He seems pretty well adjusted.”

“Man,” she said with a laugh. “You’re a regular ex-con cheerleader. This guy give you money or something?”

Mac leaned forward. “He’s what I wish could happen to everyone who stumbles. Look, his crime that night might not have been too dangerous, given there was no real weapon involved, but Eric will tell you himself—he was a badass. He drank and doped and took stupid chances, lucky he didn’t kill himself or anyone else on the road. And he’s what I wish every young man who does time could be—rehabilitated. I don’t have to tell you—it doesn’t usually happen that way. The rate of recidivism is enormous. But Eric got a better life out of it. That’s how it looks. If you’re worried, date someone else.”

“I like him, too,” she said.

Mac was quiet for a long moment. “Let me know if you need anything. Help or anything.”

“I’ll be fine.” She turned to go. “Thanks,” she said over her shoulder.

“Laine,” he said, causing her to turn. “I ran him. He’s clean.”

“I knew you ran him! You’d have to!”

“I hope we can keep this between us.”

“Absolutely! If I suspected you hadn’t, I was going to find a way. I knew he was okay. I knew it.”

“I was going to call you today. About something else.”

“What?”

“You said something about working while you’re here. Is that FBI work?”

She gave a shrug. “I can do computer research or field investigation for them if they ask. They haven’t asked yet, but I’ve only been here a month or so.”

“Douglas County Sheriff knows you’re here, of course—”

“I made sure the county knows where I am in case they need further interviews or testimony. Just follow-up.”

“Interested in some consulting work?” he asked.