Page 21 of Sugar & Shadows

“I could use your help,” I said. I’d learned over the years that flattery combined with a clear, simple ask usually got me what I wanted.

“With what? Overthrowing the mayor because he scored higher than you did on a single test in high school?”

Her tone was cool, each word like a slap.

Inhaling, I willed the hurt away. “My personal vendettas have nothing to do with this,” I replied. “You have the best intelligence network in Maplewood.” I held out my free hand, gesturing to her salon. “You’re smart, ambitious, and discreet. I could go on about how great you are if you’d like, or you could just agree to help me. I’ve spent the last hour listening to conversations about how small businesses are hurting. I want to help.”

Without a word, she went back to working on my nails. Coat after coat, I waited. It would do me no good to overplay my hand.

Customers came and went. One of the other nail techs swept the floor. Nina remained silent, though her mind was working. She was considering my offer.

After the last round under the light, she wiped each nail clean and started packing up her supplies.

“We should probably talk terms,” she said coolly.

A raised brow was my only external response. Inwardly, I was cheering. Whew. It looked like I hadn’t lost my touch. “I like a woman who gets right to the point.”

She glanced out the window, frowning. “My brother.” Her voice was casual, but the air in the room shifted. “He’s in jail. For a murder he didn’t commit.”

Ah. I’d heard about the arrest, though I hadn’t made the connection between the two of them. And the pain in her expression was like a physical blow. The weight of it in her posture was palpable.

“Caleb Dunne,” she said. “He confessed, but he didn’t do it. There is something big and dark going on.” She shifted, pushing her hair behind her ears. “Frankie, my sister, is fighting for him. But she fights with fists. I prefer strategy.”

I waited, giving her the space to get to where I knew she’d end up.

“I love this town, and I’ll do whatever I can to help.” She pressed her teeth into her bottom lip. “But.”

With a silent nod, I encouraged her to go on.

“If I help your little revolution, I want something in return.”

Silently, we assessed one another for a moment.

Eventually, she said, “I want help clearing my brother’s name.” Her tone was even. No pleading, no begging. She’d only stated what she needed. This woman was a force, and by the look of her, she was in her early twenties.

My mind spun. This wasn’t the first time I’d been asked to complete a task like this, and while I couldn’t perform miracles, I respected the courage it took to ask.

“I can’t promise anything,” I told her.

She nodded once, accepting, even if she didn’t love the answer.

“But I am very good at discovering details others have missed.”

Her shoulders lifted a fraction. “That’s all I’m asking for.”

“If any information has been buried or overlooked, I’ll find it. It may not change things, but it’s worth trying.”

Given what I’d seen in my career, details could too easily go uncovered or even ignored. And if I could do it, I’d give Caleb a fighting chance.

She reached out, rings adorning every finger and vines inked around her wrist. “You’ve got yourself an information broker.”

Once we’d shaken hands, she pulled out her phone and tapped the screen. “I assume you want a list of citizens and where they stand regarding the recall?”

“Yes.”

“As well as who’s likely to lose the most from the loss of the festival?”

I dipped my chin. “Of course.”