Diane stood, blocking the photographer. “Deputy Blanchard was already here when we brought Bria in. He was helping out one of this town’s citizens. How did you hear about Bria’s accident? It’s nothing more than a slight sprain. She tripped and fell. We brought her in out of an abundance of caution. Nothing more.”
He had to give it to her. Diane knew how to handle the press. She was giving him a way out.
“Mickey.” Gavin walked back in, two cups of tea in his hands. “Good of you to join us. Have you been listening to the police radio again?”
Gavin held the tea out to Diane. She stared at it pointedly.
Gavin rolled his eyes. “It’s chamomile. And I didn’t even poison it.”
She huffed but took the mug. “Like you could kill me.”
Mickey chuckled. “Well, it looks like things are normal here. And yes, you know I always like to listen in. It’s how I get the jump on everyone else. I’m the last one standing, by the way. Jeannie and her crew went back to LA. She thinks the story is over since you’ve had your girl go on every talk show that will have her. I like the ‘nothing to see here’ vibe she’s putting out.”
“Did you like the ‘sitting your ass in jail’ vibe of this weekend?” He really didn’t like this guy. Armie had kept him in the field the day he’d worked, and now Major realized why. Armie hadn’t wanted him to listen to this guy talk and potentially lose his cool over what came out of the tabloid journalist’s mouth.
Diane chuckled and moved in front of him, putting a hand on Mickey’s arm and basically looking like she was the hostess at some cocktail party. “Don’t mind our deputy friend, dear. And you know why our Bria is doing publicity. She loves to talk about the issues closest to her heart. She’s such a softie. Especially when it comes to animals. I suspect she might not have even noticed someone was in trouble if it hadn’t been for that precious dog.”
Why were they talking to this guy? Pretending he wasn’t some massive problem? Diane was treating him like an old friend.
“Why don’t you leave Brynn alone?” Major didn’t understand why they were talking to this jerk.
Diane turned to him, a humorless smile on her face. “It was good to talk to you, Deputy, but I’m sure you need to get back to your job. Didn’t you say you were busy and couldn’t handle any extra attention right now?”
The last bit was said under her breath, a reminder that he was walking a fine line.
Was she trying to help him? He didn’t understand this world he’d been inadvertently brought into, and he had a million questions.
He wanted to stay but everything Diane had said came flooding back. Brynn had a career she’d worked hard for, and he could screw that up for her. They couldn’t have more than a couple of weeks. Was it worth the inevitable heartache? For them both?
“You’re right. I do need to get back to the station house.” He tipped his head. “I’m glad it wasn’t serious. Tell Brynn I wish her well, but I had to get back to work.”
“Will do,” Gavin said. “And let the sheriff know I’ll be back later this afternoon. I need to stay and make sure the ladies don’t need anything.”
“We don’t,” Diane said, sitting back down.
“You might,” Gavin countered.
Major walked away as they began arguing—something they seemed to do a lot. His gut in a knot, he stepped out as a golf cart turned into the circular drive.
Major stopped staring at the absolutely-not-street-legal vehicle and felt his teeth grind. “Greg, I thought the sheriff talked to you about not doing this anymore.”
Greg’s eyes widened and he paled slightly. “Nah. Sheriff just told me not to use the highway.”
A blond wisp of a young woman stepped out of the back of the cart. “He didn’t use the highway at all. He did manage to get this thing over some crazy terrain, and he avoided an alligator.”
“It was Otis. I told you there was nothing to worry about,” Greg insisted. “And I got you here right quick. Like I said I would.”
Ally Pearson handed him a twenty with a regal nod. “That you did. You drive that sucker better than any New York cabbie and with far less care for anything resembling caution. I like it. I’ve got a good dose of adrenaline going. I’m going to be here for a while, and then I’ll probably need a drink. Pick me back up in an hour and I’ll pay you a hundred for the night.”
Greg’s eyes lit up.
Major had to put a stop to this immediately. “No. Absolutely not. This is not a legal business. He doesn’t have a commercial license. And he’s definitely not driving you around at night in a golf cart.”