.

his strong suit. “I don’t have to tell you that,” she said.

      “No, technically you don’t,” he agreed. “But you said you owed it to someone, and, since it’s my money...”

      She started to interrupt and he put his hand up. “I know. It’s your money.”

      “That’s right.”

      “Okay, but it’s my money that will leave my bank account, and I’d kind of like to know the particulars.” Like is some loan shark after you to pay him back? Bret had had experience with scum like that, and he actually considered that he might be able to help Dorie out of a jam.

      “I guess you would like to know,” she said. “But I’m not going to tell you or your father anything about that money. It’s mine. I want it back. End of story.”

      He took a sip of coffee. This wasn’t going as he’d planned. “Not exactly. At least it’s not the end of the story if you want the money to come from me.”

      The scowl stayed in place. Both hands tightened around the mug until he thought she might crack the crockery. Finally she said, “So that’s your big plan? You’re holding the money hostage until I tell you where it’s going, who I owe?”

      “I don’t look at it that way. It’s a lot of money. At least it’s a lot to me right now, the situation I’m in. But I know Pop cheated you, so I’m willing to pay it.”

      She smirked. “Great.”

      “But I’m not going to hand it over just like that. Here’s the deal. Tell me where this money has to go and I’ll send it directly to the person who’s waiting for it. That way your debt is paid and we eliminate the middle man.”

      “Meaning me? I’m the middle man?”

      “Well, you are.”

      “That’s preposterous. I’m the one who is owed the money. What I do with it isn’t your business.”

      “Maybe not, but I’m not giving it to you without knowing where it will end up. The person you owe the money to is the true destination, and I don’t know anything about him or her.”

      “You don’t need to! And you don’t pay a debt by attaching all sorts of conditions on it!”

      “You’re wrong, Dorie. Again, it’s not my debt, so I think I have every right to place a condition on paying it.” He wasn’t going to relent. “Don’t forget, I know my father. This money could have started a dirty trail of deceit that’s going to end up with whomever you have to pay it to. I’m not about to finance anything illegal. You could be mixed up in something...”

      “I’m not! As for your father, that’s anybody’s guess.”

      “Exactly my point. I’m offering you a fair deal, Dorie. Tell me where to send the money, and I’ll put a check in the mail on Monday.” He waited for her reaction. All he got was a glare that tightened his gut.

      He was absolutely certain that he was doing the right thing. Sure, she had a point about her privacy, but he didn’t know where that money was going. Maybe her con brother was into something in jail. Maybe Dorie was afraid of someone and paying protection money. That possibility worried him more than he wanted to acknowledge. Also, maybe she wasn’t as squeaky clean as her record of parking fines and financial problems indicated.

      The stalemate went on for a full minute while he grew more uncomfortable. She tapped her fingertip on the coffee mug, further grating on his nerves. He was being hard on her, but she’d showed up on his doorstep yesterday a perfect stranger asking for five thousand dollars. And she’d been mixed up with his father! That fact alone was enough to make him suspicious.

      “This is a way out of the problem, Dorie,” he said at last. “Look at this from my point of view for a moment.”

      “As if we haven’t been,” she said.

      He pressed on. “I’m an ex-cop. I’m on disability from the Miami Police Department. If I end up involved in something illegal, I could lose my monthly payments.”

      He didn’t know if that was true or not, but he figured she’d believe it.

      He looked around his kitchen. “I’m deep into this place. It’s a hardship for me to give you this money now, when I’m so close to opening. And remember, I hardly know you. Once I’m satisfied about where the money is going, I’ll settle your debt and take it out of Pop’s hide, but I’m not giving you the money directly.”

      “This is ridiculous...”

      “It’s the deal.” He shrugged with pretended indifference. “Take it or wait for Pop to settle up with you.”

      She drummed her fingers on the table, took a deep breath. He knew she’d agree. She had to.

      “Okay, but it will have to be a cashier’s check. This guy won’t take a personal check from someone he doesn’t know.”

      “No problem, but again, it will have to be Monday. The bank’s...”

      “Yeah, I know.”

      “You can stay here until then.”

      “Goody.”

      He smiled. “Like you said, plenty of paper towels and bug spray.”

      She stood. “I’ll go to my room and get the name of the person you should send the check to.”

      His instincts went on overdrive. “You don’t know the name?”

      “It’s a group of people. I’m not sure of the spelling of the main guy. Then if it’s okay, I’ll use your computer to find his address.”