Page 20 of Everyone’s a Liar

“No. Finn is the current sheriff. He trusts my judgment.”

“Finn.” The name was familiar. Shuffling through her memories, Livia dredged up the image of a boy a couple of years older than her with long dark hair and stunning black eyes. He’d always been deeply tanned from the hours he spent as lifeguard at the public pool next to the park, with the sort of defined muscles that made the girls sigh. Livia didn’t like to swim, but she made sure she spent time at the pool just to enjoy the view. “Griffin Maxwell?” She waited for Bryce’s nod. “I remember him. He used to be smoking hot.”

“He still is.”

“I suppose he’s married with a pack of kids?”

“Nope. Divorced. No kids.”

It was Bryce’s clipped tone that stirred Livia’s suspicion. Her friend wasn’t as indifferent to her boss as she wanted to pretend.

“Interesting.”

Bryce abruptly slid out of the booth, shutting down the conversation. Yet another sign she had something to hide.

“I’ll call you once I track down your mystery man.”

“Thanks.” Livia stood and hugged her friend. “I owe you.”

“I haven’t found anything yet.”

“If anyone can, it’s you.”

CHAPTER 6

Rushville, LA

Wednesday, July 2nd

Bryce climbed the steps to the three-story brick building that served as the courthouse, sheriff’s office, and a half dozen holding cells for the small parish. It wasn’t fancy, but they thankfully didn’t need an expensive CSI lab or SWAT team. The sheriff’s office dealt with petty crimes and family dramas that needed a sympathetic, personal touch, not technology.

And occasionally, a stern warning.

Nothing at all like her job with the FBI.

Suppressing a sigh, Bryce stepped into the long, open space with a front reception desk that was manned by a silver-haired officer who should have retired years ago. Not that anyone had the guts to tell Chuck he should be home enjoying his days. And honestly, he did a good job of getting rid of bothersome visitors who were there to bitch about stuff the sheriff had no control over. Seriously, what did they expect Finn to do about the potholes in the road? Or locating their cat that wandered off a dozen times a week?

With a casual wave toward the older officer, who grunted in response—his version of Welcome back—Bryce took a seat at her desk. She’d chosen a spot near a window that overlooked the park. During the afternoon, her dad would take Josie to play on the swings. It gave Bryce a glimpse of her daughter enjoying her day. Plus, it meant she was facing away from Finn’s office.

Not that she was worried about being distracted when she glanced through the glass wall that separated Finn from the rest of the room. Or at least that’s what she told herself. Once upon a time, Griffin Maxwell had been her childhood crush. Like every other girl’s in Rushville. But now she was a grown woman with a child and an aging father depending on her.

Finn was her boss. Nothing more.

As if testing her determination not to be distracted, Finn abruptly appeared next to the desk, leaning his hip against the corner. Bryce sucked in a slow breath, allowing her gaze to skim up the muscular body that filled out the brown uniform with mouth-watering perfection. Reaching the angular features, she studied the long, slender nose, the chiseled cheekbones, and the full lips that were curved into a half smile. He wasn’t model-pretty, but he had a raw, compelling masculinity that was emphasized by his smoldering black eyes and the dark hair that was long enough to pull into a tail at his neck.

“How was lunch?” he asked.

“It was gumbo at BBs.” Her tone was deliberately light.

“Ah.” His smile widened. “So it was delicious.”

She held up a finger. “I wasn’t done. There was also a pan of cornbread with extra honey, and sweet tea.”

“Nothing better.”

“Exactly.”

He folded his arms over his chest. “And how is Livia?”