Cheryl stepped in first.Behind her came a woman several years older, with shoulder-length brown hair, brown eyes, and a flowery blue dress under a denim jacket.She carried herself with the easy confidence of someone who had entered rooms talking her whole life and had rarely found a reason to stop.
“Agent Raven,” Cheryl said, “this is Amanda Lee.”
Selena stood.“Good to meet you.”
Amanda smiled brightly and took her hand.“You, too.Sorry for being dressed like this.I was just about to go out.”
“No need to apologize.I’m sorry if I ruined your plans.”
“Oh, hell, no.It weren’t nothin’.I just wanted to help.”
Cheryl shut the door but stayed near it.
Amanda glanced at her sister.“Can I have a coffee, Cheryl?”
Cheryl stared at her.
Amanda winked at her sister.“What?”
“This is the only time I’ll run after you, Mandy.”
“I could get used to this.”
Cheryl took one step toward the door.
Amanda laughed.“I’m joking.I don’t want anything.I just wanted to see if you would.”
Cheryl looked at Selena.“Now you’ll see what you’re dealing with.”
“I already have a sense,” Selena said.
“Good luck.”Cheryl pointed at Amanda.“Don’t embellish.”
Amanda sat without waiting to be asked and crossed one leg over the other.“She loves me really.”
“I’m sure.”
“Not all the time, but enough.”
Selena sat opposite her and clicked her pen.“Amanda, Cheryl said you know Marlene Schmidt.”
Amanda leaned in slightly.“Aren’t you the sheriff’s ex?”
Selena paused.“I am.”
“Must be difficult working with that stud, knowing you let him get away.”
“I left him, actually.”Selena kept the pen still.“In any case, about Marlene.”
Amanda’s eyes shone with delight.“Wouldn’t that be a story if you two lovebirds got back together?”
“We won’t.”
“I tell you who’d hate it if you did.My sister.”
Selena looked up from the notebook.
Amanda gave a knowing smile.“She’s got designs on the sheriff.You watch out.Cheryl’s sweet, but she’s determined.She’d kill to get what she wants.”