He walked into the living room as his brothers prepared for dinner and a night with Lois alone.
“Hey, Sandman, what’s up? Looking to order more cookies?” he teased, feeling in a happy mood after the day they’d had with Lois and anticipating the wonderful night ahead.
“As much as I would love to be calling about that, I’m afraid this is official business.”
Ford got his friend’s serious tone immediately. “What’s going on?” he asked firmly, instantly in sheriff mode.
“It’s complicated, but basically. as the sheriff—and more importantly, as guardian to Lois—you need to know.”
“Oh, shit, what?” he asked, his heart beginning to pound. With every detail Sandman began to explain, Ford got angrier and angrier, but then had more questions.
“Why would she know where these drugs and guns were?”
“They don’t know if she does or doesn’t. There was a huge bust in Dallas just yesterday. Two of the guys who worked for Cornero say he’s trying to find the drugs and guns because the guns have government-issued serial numbers on them. That evidence strengthens the case for the detectives and the feds. If by any chance Lois knows where they might be, then we need to find out. They believe she might, because Caden, her ex, never made the delivery. He went right to Lois’s apartment in a fit of rage.”
“I get it, so what do you want me to do?”
“I want you to ask her about the drugs and the guns and whether or not Caden told her where they are or if she knows where they are. It will help with the case and let Cornero know he’s finished and there’s nowhere else to run.”
“Okay. We’re getting together shortly.”
“Let me know immediately. It’s important.”
Ford got off the phone with Sandman and ran his fingers through his hair. He didn’t know how he was going to bring this up to Lois without upsetting her and making her remember that dreadful night, but he had to. They could put this guy Cornero behind bars forever.
He heard everyone entering the kitchen and the sound of Lois’s laughter filled the house. He was in love with Lois. He wanted to tell her how special she was tonight when they made love to her.
He was still holding the phone as they all walked into the living room. Her smile faded and she stood still. “What’s wrong?” she asked, and his brothers’ expressions mimicked hers.
He took a deep breath.
“Lois, I just got off the phone with Sandman. He’s got some friends, investigators who are working a case involving men associated with your ex, Caden.”
She covered her mouth and stepped back. Laverty wrapped his arms around her and held her. “What’s going on? Is she in danger?” Ghost asked.
“No. It’s just some information they’re after.”
“Information?” she asked and looked scared and also a little guilty. He didn’t like the gut feeling he had.
“Let’s sit down,” he told them.
Laverty brought her over to the couch and she sat down next to him, and Evan took the seat next to her. Ghost remained standing with his arms crossed in front of his chest.
“I hate to do this to you, Lois. I know you don’t want to think about that night, but it’s important. There’s this man, Cornero, that the detectives and feds are after.”
She tightened up and her eyes widened. She knew the man—what the fuck? Ford squinted at her and she looked down at her hands.
“You know this guy. Who the fuck is he?” Ghost asked, obviously picking up on her expression as well.
She went to speak and then stopped herself. Was she going to lie to him, to them?
“I know him. I know who he is.”
“How?” Ghost asked.”
“Ghost, let me do my job so we can move on with our night and be done with this shit,” he stated firmly.
“How do you know him?”